Posted by: tom.guerry (tom.guerry@kp.org) on Mon Jun 24 09:19:00 2002

grc-
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> > > > Thanks for the reply.I agree that many hitters hit the outside pitch to the opposite field/have a -(minus) angle at contact/bathead lagging hands/inside out whatever you want to call it.However,I believe Jack's point is that the BEST swing in terms of maximum batspeed,maximum power,andminimum timing error is to hit this pitch with rotational machanics/tht up the middle or to the pull side.The idea is what do the best do to make them the best,not what do many do.I think their is a significant distinction between "linear" and "rotational" on the outside pitch.Linear means you risk extending the handpath and shutting transfer of torso energy down prematurely.At the very least this makes swing consistency and timing error suboptimal.I think trying to drill kids to go the opposite way with these pitches or go linear is confusing to motor learning and suboptimizes the swing.It is better t try to hit these outside ones up the middle.
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> > > > I also agree that the model of the swing is more complicated than just "make contact perpeendicular" because there is clearly a preference for pulling the inside location.I suspect this is because this gives the smallest timing error because of the way bathead acceleration builds up,but my math/physics is admittedly far to weak to test this.However,using Jack's bht mecjanics does give more power to the pull field as well as the ability to keep the ball fair and avoid the dead pull.
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> > > For the up and in pitch absolutely. But on the down and in pitch, how are you going to pull it and keep your batpath in line with pitch path through the contact zone? I remember Truby (Astros) pulling the low inside pitch for left field power and thinking about the exact timing needed since his bat path was crossing the pitch path. I wonder if this was part of his problems that sent him back to the minors?
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> tom....."Linear means you risk extending the handpath and shutting transfer of torso energy down prematurely.At the very least this makes swing consistency and timing error suboptimal".....(1) on the outside pitch, by my unscientific estimate, the difference in hip rotation in hitting the middle of the ball vs. the inside part of the ball (i never have agreed that this really equates to rotation vs. linear)is about 5 to 10 degrees.....when you consider all of the other factors that contribute to the distance a ball is hit, i think 5 to 10 degrees is not real significant, especially when you consider the trade-off, which is.......(2) contrary to making timing error suboptimal, i think room for timing error is enhanced (e.g., keeping the bat on a flater plane)....in previous posts, you yourself have said that hitting the outside pitch calls for increased precision in timing.....
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> "It is better try to hit these outside ones up the middle."....assuming a left handed hitter, i submit that if, on the outside pitch you hit the inside part of the ball,if you hit it just on time you will have a line drive to left....a little late & you will foul it off (which, in many cases is the best thing that could happen to a hitter), or hit it early you will hit a grounder, but with a little luck it will be up the middle for a hit......but in hitting the middle of the ball on the outside pitch i see nothing but problems unless you time it just perfectly.....too early & wrist roll produces weak ground ball.....too late & you contact the ball when the bat is still on the downswing, producing a ground ball....
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> finally, in going back to that 5 to 10 degrees of difference in hip rotation, let's not forget that in addition to hip rotation as a factor, the power supplied from the arms extending is not at all insignificant......
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> thank you for indulging me, tom....it is always such a pleasure to read your posts, even if i disagree or flat out do not understand & i look forward to your response....
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> respectfully, grc.....
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I think this is way past the point of pure speculation.Some of this could be figured out by video of successful hitters with particular mechanics and high speed(at least 60 fr/sec if not 100)video under controlled circumstances.Jack probably is in the best position to speculate.In the absencs of that there are just general principles which should be adhered to,depending on the details of your theory/hypothesis("?beliefs?").

Try to stay on plane by maintaining(proper) spine angle as long as possible.

Stay well connected to avoid wrist rolling before contact.For outside,the front upper arm bicep stays tight to the chest.Keep the torso turning,don't stop the torso and let the hands go in an attempt to stay on plane.

For inside(high or low) keep hooking the hand path as necessary to speed up torso rotation and delay(milliseconds)bathead swinging out/point on space of max velocity.

The body has the capability of learning at this level of error by making good contact in certain locations and hitting it to certain areas.Heavy bag feed back gets the acceleration done in time.

Keep those shoulders rotating and hit the outside ones up the middle or pull.Keep the shoulders rotating even more by hooking the handpath tighter on the inside stuff and keeping it fair.