Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Tue Nov 20 19:56:45 2001

>>>So what you're saying is the more flex in the lead arm at initiation, the smaller radius of your circular handpath and the less batspeed. While a fully extended lead arm creates a larger radius and more batspeed.

Hi Matt

I think it would be more accurate to say that a larger radius has the ‘potential’ to generate greater bat speed. The greater the radius of the hand-path, the greater the amount of energy that must be transferred (linkage to body rotation & torque applied) to keep bat-head acceleration in sync with shoulder rotation (the power curve).

In order to develop maximum bat speed, the great hitters stay engaged (linkage) with the large muscle groups (legs & torso) to accelerate the bat-head from initiation to contact. This means their shoulders are rotating (supplying rotational power from the legs and torso) all the way to contact. Due to poor linkage and lack of torque applied, batters who produce less bat speed get behind the power curve and finish shoulder rotation 1 or 2 video frames (30 to 80 degrees of angular bat displacement lag) before the bat is brought to contact. Once shoulder rotation ceases, only the smaller muscle groups of the arms are left to accelerate the bat-head. --- Shoulder rotation to contact (or lack of it) is the key trait I look for when doing a swing review.

Jack Mankin