Posted by: The Hitting Guru () on Wed Mar 21 20:43:35 2007

> Hi All
>
> Sorry I have not been available to respond to your questions and comments posted on the board lately. The last few weeks, most of my time has been devoted to getting our new “Swing Analysis DVD” and “Analysis Software“ ready to bring on-line.
>
> I think you will find that using analysis software can help shed light on many of the controversies surrounding the baseball and softball swing. One of the first topics I would like to cover is the “bat speed” vs “swing quickness” issue. Many seem to think that batters who generate great bat speed and power are not as “quick to the ball” as a good singles type hitter. – Basically, many would say that “rotational” mechanics may produce more bat speed – but “linear” mechanics is quicker to the ball.
>
> My analysis has not shown this to be true. I find that hitters who generate great bat speed are just as quick (in most cases quicker) to the ball than the best singles hitters. – However, if someone can provide a clip of a linear or singles hitter that is quicker from the launch position to the ball than a good rotational hitter, I will congratulate you and stand corrected.
>
> Jack Mankin

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Jack. David Eckstein is widely thought of as a singles hitter. As such he could be considered quick to the ball.

Alex Rodriguez on the other hand is a homerun hitter who likely has more pure batspeed than Eckstein as well as much more power. Also Rodriguez has a better life time batting average.

But I would much rather have Eckstein, at the plate with a runner on third with less than 2 outs. Why? Because he in my opinion would have a better chance against a top closer when contact is warranted.

This does not directly answer your question, but it is food for thought.