Bat Speed -- Baseball Hitting Forum

Posted by: thom blinn (freeneasy7@yahoo.com) on Sat May 21 08:24:25 2005

> Question/Comment:
>
> >>> I don't see why a frontal view is more important than a side view. In fact, you can view more components clearly from a side view (hands, hips, legs, the width of stance) than from a frontal view, where your view of these components are blocked, IMHO. Just my sentiments. <<<
>
> Jack Mankin's reply:
>
> Hi BHL
>
> When I am doing video swing reviews, I use both the side and frontal views to make my recommendations. The side view provides better information of the batter’s energy development mechanics. I can better evaluate a batter’s stride, knee action and his hip and shoulder rotation. It is also better for viewing the back-arm and lead-shoulder positions at contact.
>
> The frontal view lends itself more to evaluating the batter’s energy transfer mechanics. I can see clearly if the lead-arm and hands are rotated to a good launch position. It also offers a better view for identifying the forces applied to the bat at initiation – does the batter use the arms or body rotation to accelerate the hands? If the batter uses his/her arms, I can observe the lack of shoulder rotation as the lead-arm separates from the body (loss of linkage). These actions are not as visible from the side view.
>
> One of the most important components of a good swing is the quality of the swing-plane. When a hitter is performing at his/her peak, the swing-plane will be flat and true without dips and rises from the true plane. A poor swing-plane will appear as a sine wave because of wrist binds and the batter not accelerating the bat-head into the plane at initiation. --- Although these actions are usually quite clear from the frontal view, I am unable to identify them from the side view.
>
> While charting the swings of professional players, I found that when the better hitters like Bonds, McGwire, Strawberry, Eric Davis and etc. went into a slump, there was an identifiable change in their mechanics. In most cases, the flaw first became apparent in the quality of their swing-plane.
>
> Jack Mankin
Hello Jack
I was wondering if I could get your interpretation of Bond's initial movement sir. From the footage I have from the side, there's a significant displacement forward which can be measured how far his belt buckle moves forward in space during that portion of the swing where the butt of the handle is being pushed up and back with the tip going forward. I've alluded to this movement elsewhere on this site, and I see it's function as being a reorientation of the lower body. The front hip area is going to be a merry go round like pivot and it has to get FORWARD in anticipation of the vigorous turn thru the contact area, I see 5 to 6 inches before it abruptly stops in order to twirl.The movement forward can be diminished by meticulously arranging the body with the lower center forward and the spine tilted back to begin with, but not averted.
Ben Hogan, considered the best ball striker ever, outlined things nicely: "The objective is to make solid contact at the exact moment you're telegraphing the maximum amount of energy to the club via the grip." Hogan had a pronoucced forward orientation of his lower body, most of which was achieved either in his set up position or in his backswing. It's literally the foundation of motion that is to be dynamic,that is eplosive with the speed developed compliments of vigorous rotation. Rotation and speed considered in disregard of the correct arrangement of the body and proper use of the ground promises to be a frustration endeavor fraught with inaconsistency and potential injury.
Any thoughts on how much force is at work at contact? I'd venture that there's well over 1000 lbs. My bias as to interpretation is to make sure the body is WORKING which is a loading of bigger muscles with a series of resistance manuevers. Wicked speed can be achieved wihout necessarily working the ground or the bigger muscles. In short, it's easy for a person to masquerade as an athlete but it's the solidness and consistency of his ball striking that will define his true merit. Thanks for any response Jack. I value your feedback as I struggle to fix an image in my mind as to what's happening during the swing.
Respectfully and with gratitude and appreciation
Thom Blinn
Westerly

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> > Question/Comment:
> > 
> > >>> I don't see why a frontal view is more important than a side view. In fact, you can view more components clearly from a side view (hands, hips, legs, the width of stance) than from a frontal view, where your view of these components are blocked, IMHO. Just my sentiments. <<<
> > 
> > Jack Mankin's reply:
> > 
> > Hi BHL
> > 
> > When I am doing video swing reviews, I use both the side and frontal views to make my recommendations. The side view provides better information of the batter’s energy development mechanics. I can better evaluate a batter’s stride, knee action and his hip and shoulder rotation. It is also better for viewing the back-arm and lead-shoulder positions at contact. 
> > 
> > The frontal view lends itself more to evaluating the batter’s energy transfer mechanics. I can see clearly if the lead-arm and hands are rotated to a good launch position. It also offers a better view for identifying the forces applied to the bat at initiation – does the batter use the arms or body rotation to accelerate the hands? If the batter uses his/her arms, I can observe the lack of shoulder rotation as the lead-arm separates from the body (loss of linkage). These actions are not as visible from the side view. 
> > 
> > One of the most important components of a good swing is the quality of the swing-plane. When a hitter is performing at his/her peak, the swing-plane will be flat and true without dips and rises from the true plane. A poor swing-plane will appear as a sine wave because of wrist binds and the batter not accelerating the bat-head into the plane at initiation. --- Although these actions are usually quite clear from the frontal view, I am unable to identify them from the side view. 
> > 
> > While charting the swings of professional players, I found that when the better hitters like Bonds, McGwire, Strawberry, Eric Davis and etc. went into a slump, there was an identifiable change in their mechanics. In most cases, the flaw first became apparent in the quality of their swing-plane. 
> > 
> > Jack Mankin
> Hello Jack
> I was wondering if I could get your interpretation of Bond's initial movement sir. From the footage I have from the side, there's a significant displacement forward which can be measured how far his belt buckle moves forward in space during that portion of the swing where the butt of the handle is being pushed up and back with the tip going forward. I've alluded to this movement elsewhere on this site, and I see it's function as being a reorientation of the lower body. The front hip area is going to be a merry go round like pivot and it has to get FORWARD in anticipation of the vigorous turn thru the contact area, I see 5 to 6 inches before it abruptly stops in order to twirl.The movement forward can be diminished by meticulously arranging the body with the lower center forward and the spine tilted back to begin with, but not averted.
> Ben Hogan, considered the best ball striker ever, outlined things nicely: "The objective is to make solid contact at the exact moment you're telegraphing the maximum amount of energy to the club via the grip." Hogan had a pronoucced forward orientation of his lower body, most of which was achieved either in his set up position or in his backswing. It's literally the foundation of motion that is to be dynamic,that is eplosive with the speed developed compliments of vigorous rotation. Rotation and speed considered in disregard of the correct arrangement of the body and proper use of the ground promises to be a frustration endeavor fraught with inaconsistency and potential injury.
> Any thoughts on how much force is at work at contact? I'd venture that there's well over 1000 lbs. My bias as to interpretation is to make sure the body is WORKING which is a loading of bigger muscles with a series of resistance manuevers. Wicked speed can be achieved wihout necessarily working the ground or the bigger muscles. In short, it's easy for a person to masquerade as an athlete but it's the solidness and consistency of his ball striking that will define his true merit. Thanks for any response Jack. I value your feedback as I struggle to fix an image in my mind as to what's happening during the swing.
> Respectfully and with gratitude and appreciation
> Thom Blinn
> Westerly

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