Posted by: nativetrout (nativetrout at earthlink dot net) on Tue Jun 20 10:03:43 2006

Joe

Is not batspeed a function of strength (strength used to advantage with proper mechanics)? More precisely, 2 bats of equal mass striking a ball on the same spot and traveling (on ball contact) the same speed should result in equal "pop" regardless of the hitter's strength (all else being equal...that is pitch type, barometric conditions etc.)

Where strength DOES come into play is with bat mass. A stronger hitter should be able to get a heavier bat (a bat with more mass) up to speed at contact, resulting in more "pop", than a weaker hitter who must use a lighter bat to get the same batspeed at contact. Or conversely, a 40 oz bat traveling at a slower speed at contact than a 20 oz bat may result in the ball traveling a farther distance (all else equal).

So while Barry Bonds IS stronger than I am, he'd have nothing on me (in terms of "pop") if I developed the mechanics to attain his batspeed (again, all else equal).