Posted by: BHL (Knight1285@aol.com) on Mon Mar 26 00:07:17 2007

> > > I've heard stories of amazing bat speeds out of the best slow pitch power hitters.
> > >
> > > Put them in the mlb batters box and you'll get your answer.
> >
> > Hi Teacherman,
> >
> > While you quite correctly identify the fact that longs swings come at the expense of bat quickness, I believe that slow pitch power hitters do have an advantage over regular baseball players in that they need only to sacrifice part of the length of their swing--and part of the ensuing power that it provides--to become a major league power hitter. On the other hand, it is quite tough to teach a person with too short a swing to make it longer--these individuals will tend to exagerate their swings to the point where they end up in the same position of the slow pitch softball player. In short, it is better to cut down than to build upon. This concept is as applicable to literary studies as it is to baseball.
> >
> > One more thing--I believe that all players should become home run hitters.
> >
> > Best,
> > BHL
>
> Hi
>
> "I believe that slow pitch power hitters do have an advantage over regular baseball players..."
>
> Yes, they have an advantage. A big advantage. Old ladies with arthritis, small children without the strength to lift a dinner plate and uncoordinated simpletons can hit with ease. That's why the call it "SLOWPITCH." That's who it's designed for. You don't need good mechanics.
>
> Try to clue up here.

Hi Melvin,

I believe that you are misinterpreting my argument. Let me outline the geometric logic behind my position so as to avoid any confusion. Firstly, the spirit of my words never touched upon children learning to swing a bat, or senior citizen leagues. While you correctly assert that the two aforementioned do partake in these activities, you correctly assume that the modeling of my position revolves around one of these types.

My position, on the other hand, does revolve around Slow Pitch softball hitters who use a long, loping swing to gain home run power. One person who comes immediately to mind is Doug Johnson (see "How to hit a Softball 400 Feet.) Scientifically speaking, the time factor allows Johnson to swing in this manner. Nevertheless, if he entered the Major Leagues, he would have to cut down his swing substantially, or he would end up hitting below the "Mendoza Line" (e.g., .100-.199).

Now, you must listen to what is to follow very carefully, because here is where I can make a case for the Doug Johnsons of this world becoming major league sluggers. Basically, Slow Pitch softball players of this ilk can accomplish the preceding feat simply because they need only learn to shorten the swing. In order to do this, they can first see on videotape how much they wrap the bat behind the head, then gradually eliminate this tendency over time, striving to swing faster from a position where the bat's starting position will be closer to the ball. They will continue to do this, until they discover a starting point for the bat that will deliver optimum quickness (i.e., distance that the bat-head must travel to hit the ball) and bat speed (how fast the bat traveling when it hits the ball).

On the other hand, it is tougher to teach a punch-and-judy MLB hitter how to hit for power, simply because the tendency with them will be to find a point from which they can launch their swings to create maximum power. What will usually happen is a tendency to bring the bat back over a period a time to the point where it is too far away from the strike zone. Barring ability, this proclivity might create a couple tape-measure shots, but will also yield a lowly batting average.

I therefore stand by statement which suggests that in baseball, as well as in literature, is it better to cut out than to put in. An instance would be a scholarly article prepped for its final edit, that is repetitive in some sections, and "fat" can be "cut out," as opposed to a article with not enough information, and will hence require substantially more research, and more time, before it gets published.

Best,
BHL