Posted by: S. Procito () on Wed Sep 11 05:48:10 2002

In a recent post someone (Hitman?)described the launch position as the point when the front heel lands.
> >
> > I don't want to split hairs, but for a number of reasons I think it's important to make a distinction between the launch position and the torque position.
> >
> > The launch position is when the front toe lands, and at this point the hitter decides swing or not swing. At this point the bat is still cocked, in many cases pointing towards the pitcher.
> >
> > By the time the front heel lands, about 1 frame or so later, the swing has already started. The bat has uncocked & in a near vertical position (instead of pointing towards the pitcher). In the meantime, the hips have turned anywhere from 15 to 30 degrees for most hitters. This is Epstein's "torque position".
> Hey Bart
> There are many different ways to describe the launch position, but to me I think it is where you are just before shoulder rotation starts. And you are right, the hips do start rotating before the heel lands
> The Hitman



It seems obvious that "launch" can not start when the front toe or heel touches the ground. The front foot moves on every pitch even if there is no swing. Batters move the foot even when they are "taking" the pitch. The observation that the swing is "launched" before the foot hits the ground is an error.

I would like to ask, why is this of concern? Whats the point?

S. Procito