Posted by: ray porco () on Mon Dec 17 14:51:03 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,

your quotes, "...sorry Ray, maybe someone else can explain it.""

and

"Thank you Ray, I feel better now."

were they meant to be sarcastic or am i reading you wrong?
not that you can't be (i certainly deserve it sometimes), just would like to know.

jack again, - your telling me that hands extended only 120 degrees vs. 180 degrees will hit the ball farther back. i understand and i agree. but, what is the "reason" for letting the ball get farther back when using linear mechanics. are you implying that (based on what you term "linear extension mechanics" [would very much like a definition])linear hitter's can't hit an outside pitch even with the front edge of the plate?

thanks,
ray porco