Posted by: Mark H. () on Sun Jan 12 08:37:02 2003

To All
>
> In a discussion in a thread below titled "Point of Contact" I think that Mark H. and MacBee have stumbled onto an interesting problem about how people study hitting. Consider this.
>
> The swing is a mechanical action. Mechanics are ruled by the laws of physics.
>
> So, what is the best way to use the laws of physics to determine what mechanical action should be used and who is using them? It seems that there are two options.
>
> 1. We can look at successful people performing the swing then go look for which laws of physics are being applied? Or,
>
> 2. Look at the laws of physics to determine which mechanical actions will results in the goal of hitting a ball hard, and use them to teach hitters, regardless of how others might be doing it.
>
> Personally I think 2 is the best why. It dose not allow for much argument while 1 in subject to all types of interpretations.
>
> S. Procito

#2 would come under the heading of pure research which means that while it might result in a breakthrough no one ever thought of, it also might result in years of fruitless research. For those with the time and background, I applaud their working on #2. I'm thinking though, that after all these years, if there was a better way to do it than the way Bonds, Ruth etc do/did it, someone would be doing it and tearing up the ML.

Mark H.