Posted by: Mark H. () on Mon Dec 17 11:31:45 2001

forgive me, but i don't understand everything that you mean.
> >
> > first- what is "pinball" effect.
> >
> > second- "A ball 6 inches past the plate is no closer to the strike zone than it was 6 inches in front of the plate." what is the point of that statement? do you mean that hitting an outside pitch that has traveled 6 inches past the plate gives no reach advantage?
> >
> > third- "The reason the ball is hit farther back when using linear mechanics is because of the angle (or direction) the hands are extended.". i assume you mean in the direction of the first-base dugout but why is that the "...reason the ball is hit farther back..."?
> >
> > fourth- "...linear extension mechanics..." i kinda know your definition of linear hitting, but what do you mean by "...linear extension mechanics..."?
> >
> > finally- "With rotational mechanics, the contact point (in relationship to the plate) remains about the same. The radius of the hand-path varies for inside to outside plate coverage."
> > i know what you mean here and it's part of part II - hand position.
> >
> >
> > Hi Ray
> >
> > Sorry I confused you
> >
> > >>>“forgive me, but i don't understand everything that you mean.
> >
> > first- what is "pinball" effect”<<<
> >
> > My interpretation of the “pinball theory” is that a batter can better make contact on outside pitches by letting the ball get in deeper and hitting it to the opposite field. That may be a good rule (or necessity) for a linear extension hitter. But there are other options available to the rotational hitter.
> >
> > >>> second- "A ball 6 inches past the plate is no closer to the strike zone than it was 6 inches in front of the plate." what is the point of that statement? do you mean that hitting an outside pitch that has traveled 6 inches past the plate gives no reach advantage? <<<
> >
> > That’s right, the bat-head will have to go out just as far to reach a ball 6 inches past the plate as it would if the ball was 6 inches in front of the plate.
> >
> > >>> third- "The reason the ball is hit farther back when using linear mechanics is because of the angle (or direction) the hands are extended.". i assume you mean in the direction of the first-base dugout but why is that the "...reason the ball is hit farther back..."? <<<
> >
> > If the hands being extended at the pitcher is 180 degrees - then extending them at the first base dugout would be about 120 degrees. … sorry ray, maybe someone else can explain it.
> >
> > >>> finally- "With rotational mechanics, the contact point (in relationship to the plate) remains about the same. The radius of the hand-path varies for inside to outside plate coverage." i know what you mean here and it's part of part II - hand position. <<<
> >
> > Thank you Ray, I feel better now.
> >
> > Jack Mankin
>
> Jack,
>
> Ever notice how often people have to ask you what you are talking about and you have to give a clarification? Do you ever wonder why?
>
> Joe A.
> >
> >

I would say it's because of the inherent difficulty in explaining complex ballistic motions with words further complicated by most of the world thinking and talking linear even while the best hitters (power AND average) use rotational mechanics.

Mark H.