Posted by: Dave P () on Thu Feb 22 23:02:46 2007

> >>> Jack, thanks for your continued efforts but I don't believe that I have ever said or read for that matter that taking directional or linear move to the ball necessarily increased bat speed. We are talking about playing the game of "baseball" not the game of "batspeed". I have contended that in order to hit ball consistently on the sweet spot that the hands have to control the bat head...in order to that there is some linear, directional, call it what you want, action as well as rotation in the swing. If all I was concerned about was mph you might win the debate...I want to hit the line drive over the ss's head with a man on second whether I do it at 90mph or 110mph...I want to be able to hit to right field when necessary...how much bat speed do I need? Please don't lose sight of the big picture which is which becoming a good baseball hitter...not the bat speed champ. Jima <<<
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> Hi Jima
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> Your point is well taken and I am sure hitter’s like Tony Gwinn and Wade Boggs would probably agree with you. However, Mantle and Williams would disagree. They also put up some good contact numbers and they didn’t need to straighten their hand-path and kill their bat speed to do it.
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> Jack Mankin

Jack

I do not think that every contact/hit that Mantle and Williams made was a perfect swing. I know for a fact that I saw a few hits during a documentry on the Yankees playoff run and Mantle was out on his front foot and extending his arms to hit a change. Extension of the arms occurs during rotation of the hands and must contribute some to the bats direction.

It is hard to require perfect mechanics for every swing when this is not a reality. EVERY BATTER tries to achieve an efficient swing but timing the pitch will dictate a vast portion of one's success.

Dave P