Posted by: Major Dan (markj89@charter.net) on Mon Mar 18 07:38:21 2002

All the hitting information that I've read recommends a 4 to 6 inch soft (i.e. weight back) early stride. Upon initiation of the swing the front heel comes down thus weight is transferred from back to center and the ensuing swing is against a stiff front leg.
> From your articles I see that the front leg is extremely important to hip rotation (i.e. driving the front hip toward the catcher) thus acccelerating rotation and torque. I see that you recommend that the front leg is bent after the stride is complete and does not extend fully until the hips are approximately facing the pitcher. After looking at this it would make sense to me that a shorter stride, 0-4 inches, would allow the leg to have a little more bend. This bend would allow the stronger upper leg muscles of the front leg more leverage to push the front hip back thus increasing batspeed. AM I ON TRACK WITH THIS THINKING? If not please enlighten me. THANKS.

Length of stride is not the determinant. Nomar hits no-stride, Sosa takes a solid stride, Bagwell strides backwards. Old timers (Mantle, Aaron etc.) took huge strides.
What is critical is that muscles are at their strongest when the attached joint is in an approximately half-bent position. Legs straight is inefficient. Legs excessively bent (full squat position for example) is inefficient. a 1/4 squat position is the strongest point.
Secondly, the stretch-contract response works best in the first second. So you can't just sit in that position for a long time waiting.
Almost all hitters do 'something' to bounce off that 1/4 squat position.
What you suggested above hopefully fits this for you. It sounds right to me as far as using the leg muscles. Use the stride that helps you the most.