Posted by: SteveT () on Wed Jan 5 11:00:04 2000

Hi Jeff,

Believe it or not, it's not that uncommon to be able to clear the fence off a tee (you have to have great batspeed to do it.)

The lighter bat is better in general until you consider the person swinging it. Tests by Watts and Bahill show that heavier is actually better for a strong, developed and experienced hitter (in terms of distance.) It would be different for kids (in general.)

Roger Maris did a test in the early sixties where he used progressively heavier bats in a home-run derby. The heavier the bat, the farther he hit.

My own experience confirms this also. For example, I've used over/ underload training for several years now, and I'm to the point where my underload (24 ounces) only exceeds my normal (30 ounces) by about 3 MPH. And even that is not consistent, most of the time I can't get any faster with 24 ounces than with 30. Seems odd, I know, but it's true. I also know I've hit balls farther with a 33 ounce wood bat than and old CU31 30 ouncer.

Regards,

SteveT