Posted by: George () on Mon Sep 10 14:08:45 2007

> Hi All
>
> I have often pointed out that the very best hitters generate their exceptional power and bat speed with transfer mechanics that first accelerates the bat-head rearward to and through the lag position (bat sweeping past the catcher). With these mechanics, they have already generated considerable bat speed in the rearward portion of the swing plane before they direct their energy toward the ball.
>
> The bat-head arcs through about 180 degrees from its launch position behind the head to contact. The bat first moves rearward 90 degrees to the “lag” position, and then 90 degrees from the lag position to contact. The reason the bat first moves rearward 90 degrees to the lag position is because a batter CANNOT generate maximum bat speed with a static bat at the lag position. Great hitters generate great bat speed because their mechanics is accelerating the bat-head around the entire 180 degrees.
>
> Notably, most average hitters use upper-body mechanics that simply take his hands and knob toward the ball without first generate bat speed by taking the bat rearward toward the catcher. Driving the knob forward causes the bat-head to just lower and trail behind the hands.
>
> Shawn stated many times in his analysis video that there is no rearward acceleration of the bat-head and that the bat only accelerated downward. Of course the bat lowers downward into the swing plane, but it also moves rearward. Shawn discounts (or misunderstands) the force applied by the top hand as the rear elbow lowers into the slot, even though video analysis clearly shows the bat moving rearward when this occurs.
>
> There is no point in further discussing this with Shawn, but you be the judge: is there rearward acceleration of the bat?
>
> <a href="http://home.comcast.net/~ben_2004/plttht.wmv">Shawn’s Analysis</a>
>
> <a href="http://www.batspeed.com/media/Sosa_Launch2Lag.wmv">My Analysis</a>
>
> Jack Mankin

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Mr. Jack Mankin. I think we have a MAJOR problem. And that problem is not that You or Shawn is right or wrong, but that two intelligent people can look look at the EXACT/same footage and draw completely different conclusions. As such, rather than concede to dismiss the argument, I would suggest that you and Shawn at some point in the future find a way to use other resources to come to the same conclusion one way or the other.

Further, this is not about the majority opinion either way but finding a way to the truth. If necessary it might help if Sosa and or another hitter who used the same principle described what he is doing/feeling during the swing.

If you have opportunity, please show a side view A-Rod or Pujols next to Sosa. I believe you will see that A- Rod or Pujols exhibits more of what you preach than Sosa or a Jim Thome.

In addition, I feel Ramirez also exhibits what you preach, but his teammate Ortiz does not in my opinion.