Posted by: Saat () on Sat Dec 15 08:41:02 2001

>>> thanks for the response and answer.
> > batman brought up a point, earlier, about the distance the toes are placed from the plate. since, distance that you place your toes (in relation to the edge of plate closest to you)when taking your stance is critical to proper plate coverage (inside, middle, outside), what would you say would be an appropriate distance/range for someone of "average" size swinging a 34 inch bat?
> > or how do you instruct your students when speaking about taking your stance in the box?
> > thanks, ray porco <<<
> >
> > Hi Ray
> >
> > I do not encourage the batter to think of the optimum distance from the plate in terms of inches. I have the batter assume the correct contact position – hips fully rotated with the lead-shoulder pulling back toward the catcher – lead-arm straight – back-arm in the “L” position with the elbow still back at the batter’s side. With the bat perpendicular (hitting to the center of the field), the sweet part of the bat (4 to 5 inches) should cover the center portion of the plate.
> >
> > Many batters initiate the swing with the lead-arm flexed 30 to 40 degrees. If that degree of flex is maintain to contact, the hand-path and thus the sweet-spot of the bat will stay in tighter and cover the inside portion. Hitters who start with a straighter lead-arm will need to pull the inside pitch or allow the lead-elbow to flex in order bring the sweet-spot in tighter. --- Note: most batters that start with the lead-elbow flexed will straighten it as the swing proceeds to cover the middle portion of the plate.
> >
> > As we have discussed many times, the degree of shoulder rotation and the direction of tht will need to allow the lead-arm to cast out wider (away from the chest) for outside pitches.
> >
> > PS : Others may wish to weigh-in on this, so I am also posting it to the top of the page.
> >
> > Jack Mankin
> >
> >
> > I have been spending some time on it with my tee,1st my lead toe is even with front edge of plate 16" away .When I swing the os corner pitch is hit to center hard when contact is in line with lead knee,somewhere between front tip op plate and middle tip where it angles.What has confused me is that a ball on os corner can be hit as much as 8 " behind the plate and still go to center to between ss and 2nd base bag,it is usually a ground ball but not weak.Thats a big difference in points for a ball to go to the same field however optimum is when I hit it in the 1st scenario.This swing is very much like my swing on middle in pitches just alot more top hand.My trouble is getting it to go to opp. field when I drive the lead hip back creating the centered axis.All this is done on a tee using rotation and chp,but it is the axis position that makes it hard to go the other way.If I load more or turn in more to where I can't see pitcher well then I can rotate and hit the ball the other way with authority.So far rotation makes me a 2 field hitter without adjustmentin the hips to go the other way.So far the pinball affect does'nt work for me on the away pitch.

Picture a boxer who throws a rabbit punch (bottom hand) at the mid section of someone directly in front of him. Now picture the same boxer who, standing in the same position throws a rabbit punch at the mid section of someone who is standing at an angle away from him. Which punch carries more "punch"?

Two princples need to be understood. (1) It is futile to search for one master swing (even if it is minus a few minor adjustments) that will work for all pitch locations. (2) The ball will be hit harder to the pull field than the opposite field.