Posted by: Teacherman () on Thu Nov 28 06:57:27 2002

Hi Gentlemen
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> A very good discussion on the question: “Does maximum bat speed occur at full extension.” There were so many replies that we ran out of room on the page. So, I am continuing it as a new thread.
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> I would just like to interject a couple questions to your discussion. -- For those that hold the position that maximum bat speed occurs at full extension, is it true for in-side as well as out-side pitches?
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> Do you think the “hook effect” has an impact on bat speed? If so, does its maximum effect occur “at” or “before” full extension of the arms?
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> Your thoughts,

Jack

Your question is a good example of what the confusion is here. The defenders of Paul Nyman's comment are saying that maximum batspeed occurs at full extension. Therefore it doesn't occur at either inside or outside pitches because full extension is not generally reached at contact. In other words, maximum batspeed is seldom if ever achieved in a live game swing because of the need for quickness. The maximum batspeed swing takes too long to execute and is of little use in game situation. You need to be short to the ball with a connected rotational swing. Hopefully the batspeed you can generate with this swing is adequate to play at the level you're playing but it is not your maximum batspeed. Pitch location has nothing to do with your maximum batspeed because you're not going to reach it on any pitch.
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> Jack Mankin
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