Posted by: dick giberti (dickgiberti@comcast.net) on Thu Aug 19 16:49:22 2010

> >>> can using a bat just a little bit too heavy mess up on mechanics. i tryed today with a friend hitting a baseball with a 34 inch wooden bat that might be a little bit too heavy. i cant seem to get my front leg to extend no matter what it's just so hard to do how can i do it?? thank you, steve <<<
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> Hi Steve
>
> How much the weight of the bat effects the batter�s mechanics depends on the type of mechanics the batter uses. Babe Ruth often swung a bat exceeding 40 ounces. Therefore, I believe in the long run, that using ultra light bats is more detrimental than using wood bats (-3 and heavier). I gave my reasons for this in the post from the Archives below.
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> For your problem with the lead-leg, the post below may be helpful
>
> (Re: drill to help lead leg extension at contact
> Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Sun Aug 14 21:28:34 2005 )
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> Jack Mankin
> ##
> Re: Bat
>
> Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Fri Jan 7 11:58:17 2005
>
> >>> Jack
> I have always been a power hitter, using a heavy bat. I think your approach to hitting is right on. I'm now 65 playing slow pitch softball, using the same weight bat. My bat speed is not what it was 20 years ago. What is the physics behind using a heavy bat, I make my own wood bats, with slower bat speed and using a lighter bat with increase bat speed???
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> A second ?. I use a 36/36 some times a 36/38. what is the physics behind a long bat 36" or a short bat say 30"-32". Also I'm told that I should use a Alum. bat like other people. What is the physics behind wood - Alum???
> wes
> ps this is the best site that I have found on the web. Thank's <<<
>
> Hi Wes
>
> The basic formula for the amount of energy impacted to the baseball at contact is f=ma or f=mvv. This means that for a constant bat velocity, doubling the mass of the bat will double the impact force. However, doubling the velocity will cause the impact force to be four times greater. Therefore it appears that increasing bat velocity is more important than increasing bat weight.
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> This is true to a point. A batter swinging a lighter bat can generate greater bat speed, which equates to hitting the ball with more force. However, decreasing bat weights reach a point of diminishing returns where lowering the bat weight further does not result in a corresponding increase in bat speed. The bat feels easier to swing but the bat does not have the substance to drive the ball with any real authority.
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> I understand that ultra light bats allow smaller players to compete at an earlier age. My problem is the swing mechanics these young hitters develop using the ultra light bats. Professor Adair has calculated that a 35 oz. wood bat with a velocity of 75 mph can hit a ball about 400ft. He has also calculated that it takes about 3 torque horsepower to swing the bat of which the arms can only contribute about 1/3 hp. Therefore, it is the larger muscles in the legs and torso that supply most of the energy � not the arms
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> The bottom line is � the lighter the bat, the less the larger muscles are required in the swing. With a �11 bat, a batter can attain decent game bat speed with mechanics that rely mainly on the arms. My concern is, once a batter has developed these mechanics, what happens when the batter must use a regulation size bat (-3 or heavier) which require the efficient use of the larger muscles in the legs and torso.
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> Note: Wes, the walls of an aluminum bat has more of a �trampoline� effect at contact than a wood bat.
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> Jack Mankin