Posted by: Coach Steven (steven@ars-inc.com) on Fri Mar 9 10:36:21 2007

Jeremy,

I am not sure you realize it, but your post was agreeing with what I said. Power = great (EFFICIENT)hitting mechanics. Power isn't in my book the "tape measure" shots. The original post mentioned in his league it appeared that the larger "brute size/strength" kids hit the ball harder / longer. What I was pointing out is that as mechanics are taught "correctly" that you will find smaller frame kids or teenagers, or adults for that matter that hit the ball hard and with power. A wild fast swing does not necessarily equal power, but instead efficient bat speed in the "CONTACT ZONE" equates to a good powerful swing.

Yes, as the kids get older the pitching gets better and more the reason to develop an "efficient" swing predicated on bat speed in the contact zone...you are less prone to getting fooled by a swing. Soriano uses one of the heaviest bats in the majors which is what probably accounts for a lower batting average than he would otherwise have, not necessarily that he swings wild. He is able to generate the quick bat speed by efficiently creating resistence in his toros (coil)and laterally rotating arounded a tilted fixed axis. This is what makes up for him not having the body of a "giant" however he has consistently put up great overall numbers.

Pujols is another example of great hitting mechanics although not a very good example in this post because he has a very large / atheltic build.

> Just because those soriano type players have great power numbers doesnt mean they are power hitters. Theres a fence out there, if you have a swing that you can consistantly hit the ball over that fence you'll have great power numbers, doesnt mean you can hit the ball 475 ft. Major Leaguers are in the big leagues cuz they can create the same efficient swing over and over, thats why they are capable of getting all the homers and impressing ppl with their "power" cuz they have great power numbers. Think about pujols, whats the first thing that comes to mind? for me its not 500ft home run power. Its consistant swings that allow him to hit MORE homers than most ppl. I didnt say farther home runs. Im sure he can get up there and destroy balls but he doesnt have to. Soriano had great power numbers sure but look at the batting average. he prob is swing much quicker and using more effort which in turn may cause him to miss hit more balls..So idk what exactly your question is...why the little guys hit it so far or why the big guys do at 8 years old? i mean...they are capable of great mechanics sure but remember, the older you get the better the competition...thats why most ppl dont make it to the pros...they cant perform their best everyday against better competition. So i know it may be a travel team or whatever that plays great teams...but...they are 8...there hasnt been a chance for players to mature, physically AND mentally...remember hitting isnt just physical.
>
> > I think you guys are missing it. I coach an 8u select team and obviously play against other 8u teams. We play out of the Texas South region (Houston, Austin, San Antonio). There are smaller kids 45 lbs. that hit it as hard / far as the 90 lbs. kids....IF there hitting mechanics are good. Don't be fooled, 8 year olds are probably the best age to teach because they don't yet have as many bad habits to break.
> >
> > We teach exclusively rotation hitting mechanics that teach initial weight transfer and a tilt/turn rotation around a fixed axis. Some of our advanced kids even incorporate a bat tip & rip style of rotation. The goal here is not bat blur, but efficient bat speed in the most critical region -- contact zone. If player size mattered you it would also correlate in the big leagues, but you see more and more Soriano type hitters with great power numbers. Why??? Because they figured a way to harness the most efficient type swing their body can generate....efficient bat speed. Many inefficient hitters generate their bat speed so late that the only pitches they hit hard are way far out in front of the plate...not efficient.
> >
> > Don't underestimate kids of this age being able to develop hitting efficient hitting mechanics. If you don't believe me I will post some swing clips. Granted the kids I am talking about are not playing recreation league, but rather select competitive baseball, but any kid...rec. or competitive can attain great results regardless of body size.
> >
> > > from what ive heard yes you hit the ball farther with a heavier bat swinging at the same speed of a lighter bat. But a giant bat and bat speed arent the only ways to hit the ball hard. An article on pujols said he swings hit bat around 87 mph. when my bro was a soph in hs he swung a wood bat 88 mph all out.
> > >
> > > of course pujols could crank it up if he wanted. sammy and mcgwire were recorded in triple digits before. and pujols doesnt use a babe ruth size bat, i believe i read somewhere that pujols uses a 31 1/2 to 32 ounce bat and he swings it around 87 mphs in the game...so how does he hit so hard? my guess is pretty much great mechanics and EFFICIENCY!
> > >
> > > your son may swing harder yet the big boys might have more efficient swings as far as transfering more of their energy through their swing with less bat speed, which if they are bigger they obv have the pontential to generate more energy with their body. also swinging harder may make your son or whoever jerk more in his swing causing him to pull off on balls or just get on top or underneath and not hit the ball as solid. theres tons of things that can go into it IMO