Posted by: Scott B (batspeed@integritycorp.com) on Thu Jun 6 20:24:26 2002

Scott,
> what is the difference between collapsing and the back leg forming an "L" at contact? The way I see it the back leg and back arm form a "L" at contact and the front leg and from arm are nearly straight at contact.
=============================================
Same difference as allowing the rotation of the body to "pull" the rear leg forward (and lift the rear heel up), versus driving it forward with the rear leg (re: "squish the bug", pushing weight on the rear toe). The key imo: Where is the hitter's weight at contact? Is he balanced?

If the hitter's weight is:
- too far forward? Lunging
- too far back? Collapsing on the rear foot
- balanced?

Then he's got the best possible rotation, and the best chance to use that "L" to "weathervane", i.e. adjust swing of the bat to the plain of the pitch. If he's swinging low, he'll tilt back more, and place a bit more weight on the rear foot. Swinging high (or outside), he'll tilt less, and have must less weight on the rear foot. Single's hitters will have less of an incline, and power hitters will have more.

Mike's article on "The Pivotal Role of the Rear Shoulder". It makes sense to me.

http://www.mikeepsteinhitting.com/images/askmike_12.pdf

Maybe some of the others have a better explanation. I'll read with interest.

Regards.. Scott