Posted by: Chuck (jcsherwood8458@sbcglobal.net) on Thu Mar 15 13:02:55 2007

> > Very nice swing. Great rotation. Notice the back foot off the ground at the point of contact.
> >
> > Swing is a little slow (6-7 frames), with some signs of bat drag, but that may be due to the weight of the bat.
> >
> > He also seems to hit the ball a little far out in front. Is he trying to take his hands to the ball?
> >
> > In general I wouldn't mess with him.
>
> I agree with Chris. I wouldn't mess with him much.
> Question for Chris: You observe he slows a little in frames 6-7, I am also wondering if it is maybe because he doesn't swing through contact? From lag position straight thru to the power v. I am observing that after contact, his bat stays angled?
>
> Help in observing.
>
> Dennis W.
His upper body mechanics look good on their own, but
if you look closely, his hands start forward before the front heel ever touches the ground. He is launching his body forward at the same time he is launching his hands. Granted, he does try to block his front side with a stiff front leg part way through the swing. But its too little too late and this is the formula that causes problems with change ups/lunging. Epstein teaches that in the rotational swing the weight transfers from front to back as the hands launch forward. Everything is equal and opposite with dynamic balance throughout the swing. Imagine trying to rotate on a merry-go-round and everyone is sitting on 1/2 of it. It won't spin very efficiently. Sitting down and back on your butt and rear leg is the counterbalance to the force of the bat working up and away. Thus you are efficient and achieve the greatest angular velocity around your axis. The key is that you have to transfer 50-60% of your weight to the front foot, before you launch your hands, and then go back. This player transfers his weight forward while he is launching his hands. Alot of players do this and hit the ball very hard, but once you commit your weight and hands to go forward at the same time, how do you handle the off speed pitch. I think this is more linear than rotational.

I think with the proper mechanics he could get alot more separation between the hips and the torso and achieve much greater torque. It looks like his hips begin to open pretty close to the same time that his shoulders begin forward. Again, the front heel hasn't even touched ground and the hands are moving forward.

Chuck