Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Wed Sep 12 21:23:22 2007

>>> Jack. Thanks for your input and your inciteful explanation. But the reason I refer to Sosa's movement as a swing flaw is because too often it is not done in a timely way. And guess what the result is? A lack of solid contact.

But even if I were to agree with you. You try to say that his technique increases batspeed. No way I can see that. If anything his technique decreases batspeed. Why? Because it takes longer to do what he is doing. And the more time in between, the less time there is to effectively judge the pitch speed and location. Thus he likely would be prone to an incorrect swing plane than most top hitters and more lengthy slumps.

2 Questions for you: 1) Which player uses more rearward acceleration and why Sammy Sosa or Jose Canseco?

Question 2. Which player exhibits more early batspeed and why, Sammy Sosa or Jose Canseco? <<<

Hi George

I do not have a clip of Canseco’s swing and find it best not to make statements I cannot back up with video. So, let us address your statement below.

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“But even if I were to agree with you. You try to say that his technique increases batspeed. No way I can see that. If anything his technique decreases batspeed. Why? Because it takes longer to do what he is doing. And the more time in between, the less time there is to effectively judge the pitch speed and location. Thus he likely would be prone to an incorrect swing plane than most top hitters and more lengthy slumps.”
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I can think of no batter that takes more time or has more hand movement in getting to his launch position than Barry Bonds. Yet, he not only has been a great power hitter before steroids, during his long career, he won many batting average crowns as well. You’re saying that because he -- “takes longer to do what he is doing. And the more time in between, the less time there is to effectively judge the pitch speed and location. Thus he likely would be prone to an incorrect swing plane than most top hitters and more lengthy slumps” -- is absurd at best.

Bonds, hitch or good mechanic

Jack Mankin