Posted by: S. Procito () on Tue Sep 10 05:54:29 2002

Yes this site is called batspeed. And more batspeed is better.
> > > > > > > > > My question is:
> > > > > > > > > How important is it how quickly you can get your bat up to speed?
> > > > > > > > > Which is more important - highest batspeed or how quickly you can get your bat up to a lower but reasonably good batspeed.?
> > > > > > > > > Or would you rather have greater accleration or greater top end batspeed.?
> > > > > > > > >***************************************************
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > I would suggest the following:
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Good contact on the bat. You need to find the sweet spot.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Speed or reaction time to the pitch. How else can you hit a 95 mph fastball, split finger, curve etc. a long swing might produce more batspeed but no contact.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Batspeed. How else can you hit it over a 400 ft fence?
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > They all all important for success.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Your right but neart the top of the list would also be skawshing the bug and not having the hands to low or high Also finishing high helps to.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Skawshing the bug?!
> > > > >
> > > > > Yep, squashing the bug, also known as PIVOTING.
> > > >
> > > > Xian, I'm fairly sure I understand the technique, I was simply referencing your spelling. I'm also fairly certain that you won't find many bug "skawshers" here. On the original question, am I correct that bat speed is relative to rotation?.
> > >
> > > Is batspeed relative to rotation? I'm not sure I understand what you are saying. I don't think batspeed and rotational speed are equal. I suspect that quicker rotation leads to greater batspeed.
> > > Ultimately shoulder rotation speed and batspeed should be related.
> > >
> > > In relation to my original question, can different techniques of rotation/ lower body mechanics lead to 1) different shoulder rotation speed? 2) faster or slower acceleration to maximum shoulder rotation speed?
> > > Which is more important? would you trade top end rotation speed for quicker accleration? or visa versa?
> >
> > I can tell that rotation refers to torso rotation, I too might question what batspeed is ultimately related to. Is it correctly related to torso rotation or shoulder rotation?, and does bat lag increase batspeed to greater than that of the unwinding torso. Is there actual seperation between upper and lower torso?.
> > >
>
> I think the question might be better discussed as "early batspeed" rather than maximum batspeed since what you do after contact is unimportant. Early batspeed logically should translate into how quickly you can get your bat up to speed. But rather than discuss how quick you can get your bat up to speed, I think the question is how much time do you need, with your chosen mechanic, between rotation launch and contact. The less the better obviously. Now, what mechanics give you minimum time from launch to contact along with enough batspeed to drive the ball over or at least to the fence along with some ability to adjust to speed changes etc.? I'm well satisfied with a combo of Epstein lower body and Mankin arms, hands and bat. Probably add in Nyman but I'm still trying to figure him out. : )
>
> As to pivoting (squashing the bug), I can hold my shoulders and bat perfectly still and pivot my rear foot back and forth in excess of 90 degrees so it would be my opinion that rear foot rotation is a result rather than a cause to be focused on. As to the high finish, let the swing and the pitch location determine the finish. Where it is is where it is.
>
> Mark H.

No one should concentrate on the follow through. The follow through is a result not an action. Just like crushing the bug is a reaction. If the batters starts the swing with the hips and has the upper part of his back arm at his side when he starts the swing, the follow though will be proper.

In fact, try this. Start the swing with a controlled snap of the hips and allow the upper body to unfold and see if you can stop the follow through. You will probably hurt something.

S. Procito