Posted by: Dave P () on Wed Jan 17 23:11:41 2007

> > > > > To produce a line drive that has backspin on it, the barrel of the bat must not
> work
> > > from under the ball, it must work through the ball. A severe upward swing will
> produse a
> > > topspin (ground-balls), or backspin with too steep of a trajectory into the air (pop-
> ups).
> > > There is very small room for error in terms of quality contact with this approach. Do
> we
> > > really want to tell our players to try to have an upper-cut swing? Doesn't the swing
> flatten
> > > out on its own when quality contact is made out front?
> > > > >
> > > > > Please respond
> > > > >
> > > > > Jimmy
> > > >
> > > > Jimmy
> > > >
> > > > It is not an uppercut swing it is a swing that matches the ball trajectory. The ball
> > > trajectory is always DOWN. In your description the bat only crosses the ball trajectory
> > > which means you only hit the ball or you completely miss the ball (think of the letter X
> laid
> > > on its side, only one spot to make contact).
> > > >
> > > > To maximize your success in timing the pitch and making solid contact wtih the
> ball the
> > > bat needs to be matching the ball trajectory. The actual error for contact in this
> scenario
> > > is less then with a flat swing or a downward swing. True if your bat is one inch too
> high or
> > > one inch too low you will hit a pop up or a ground ball but in the X scenario your bat
> has a
> > > timing error of less then 5 inches or about 1 mph.
> > > >
> > > > What this means is if your judgement of speed (timing) is off by two mph you miss
> the
> > > ball. Can you judge the speed of the pitch by less then two mph regularly. I would
> rather
> > > have to adjust my swing by one inch over the length of the swing that has a 6-8 mph
> > > room for error.
> > > >
> > > > Just my thoughts that are supported by many videos, scientific analysis, and
> personal
> > > analysis.
> > > >
> > > > DAve P
> > > >
> > > > PS Your statement is correct 'barrel of the bat must not work from under the ball, it
> > > must work through the ball.' and to go through it you should be matching the flight of
> the
> > > ball. It is easier to go through something if you are lined up to it.
> > >
> > > Dave P,
> > >
> > > I'm sorry but did I ever state that the hitter should ever cross the trajectory? I thought
> I said through the ball or trajectory. The problem with your scientific analysis is that when
> the hitter tries to match the trajectory, he ends up working from benieth the trajectory. So
> your little "X" example applies to your approach more than it applies to my approach of
> working through the ball with a natural swing plane.
> > >
> > > Many hitters in the Big Leagues do try to swing down on top of the ball to create a
> swing that actually does match trajectory on your video screen (Albert Pujols). Its all up to
> the individual's feel within his swing.
> > >
> > > I was just asking the question because if hitters are matching trajectory while trying
> to swing DOWN, doesn't this pose a problem for the hitters trying to swing UP to match
> trajectory? And doesn't this effect the whole topspin/backspin idea.
> > >
> > > Jimmy
> >
> > Hey Jimmy
> >
> > Actually I did not see you state anywhere about matching trajectory in your statement
> because you did not explain exactually what you were talking about. You said that the
> swing levels out in front which is actually wrong because as the hands go forward of the
> body unless you are swinging extremely down on the ball the bat is going up. Reach
> forward with your hands and tell me if they go up. in order to get full extention of your
> arms they must work up to shoulder height and therefore if they are passing by the body
> any lower then shoulder height they must be going up.
> >
> > You stated 'I thought I said through the ball or trajectory. The problem with your
> scientific analysis is that when the hitter tries to match the trajectory, he ends up working
> from benieth the trajectory.' Did you not just contradict yourself?? Does through the ball
> mean trajectory of the ball?? Since all balls are going down then the bat trajectory
> (through the ball) must be going up.
> >
> > Matching trajectory means both bat and ball must be going on the same plane. You can
> not match trajectory with your bat if your bat starts any direction other then the plane of
> the ball.
> >
> > Dave P
>
> Dave P,
>
> Maybe you aren't understanding my point. The point is that if a hitter actually tries to feel
> like he is matching trajectory, he actually doesn't. The barrel gets too flat too soon and
> actually drops below the trajectory of the ball. I agree with you when you state that you
> want to match the trajectory, but in order to actually do so the hitter should probably not
> try to do so. Gravity already helps to flatten the barrel out prior to contact to match
> trajectory without our effort to do so. And what about the pitches that are at the top of the
> zone? Do you think a hitter should really try to get more lift on a pitch that is already
> elevated?
>
> One other problem that I have with trying to match trajectory is that 11 and 12 year old
> pitchers have more of a downward angle to the plate than a 17 or 18 year old. So does
> the hitter have to reshape his swing every level he moves up to "match the trajectory"?
>
> Jimmy

Hey Jimmy

The hands are staying relatively flat in relationship to the ground but the bathead is matching the ball plane. A lower pitch has a greater downward angle then a high pitch so your bat trajectory is always changing slightly from height of pitch and type of pitch. A changeup or curve drops more then a fastball. It is impossible to be perfect in matching every pitch angle but the sooner the batter reconizes the spin (type of pitch) and location the better chance they have of matching the angle that the ball is coming in on.

There is no reshaping of every swing at each level but learning how to adjust to the pitch angles. There is a reason that a really fast pitcher is overly successful in little league. Since there ball does not drop as much as slower pitchers the decreased angle makes it tough for the hitter to get their bathead on plane because they are not as experienced with making these adjustments.

Hope this helps. I think this has been a healthy discussion and you have made some good points. Talking and thinking about how to hit and WHY hitters are successful helps to explain WHY we have to teach more efficient swings.

DAve P