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Basic Batsmanship

Q Quincy1,000+ posts
The aim of the batter is to strike or hit the ball. A well hit ball will travel faster and farther than one not well hit.

The Swing

The bat should be swung as a pendulum, held dangling in your hands. Raising the bat will cause gravity to exert an attraction drawing the bat to the ground creating the sensation of weight. In releasing the tension holding the bat up, the bat falls and feels less heavy. The equal and opposite force of the down swing will cause the bat to rise in your hands, the upswing. Notice the greatest exertion so far is in raising the bat.

With the bat dangling and swinging notice that with little effort you can cause the bat to speed up exerting very little energy. A little stride on the down swing will cause the bat to gain more speed and force in the swing. A little hip rotation will also cause the bat to move faster and thus create more force. A little wrist push will also cause the bat to move faster.

If we combine all three (stride, turn and wrist), we can generate great speed and force in the bat's movement with very little effort.

Notice now, that the weight of the bat head in motion is greater than our wrists can fully control . Our wrists 'break', allowing another additional force on the bat causing it to speed up and create greater force.

Notice that the bat will go in the direction that the hands move it in starting the bat in motion.

These are the primary mechanics of the swing in baseball.

Choosing a Bat

Using the above technics to generate bat speed, the lighter the bat, the faster the swing. The heavier the bat, the greater force generated at impact.

One now wants to seek out that bat that will allow the greatest bat speed while generating the maximum force at impact.

This can be done in many ways. There are labs or sports clinics where the speed of your swing can be measured as well as the force of impact. One can also use trial and error on a field hitting balls with various lengths and weights of bats.

Using the proper bat and the proper mechanics will generate the greatest bat speed and the greatest force at impact.

The Stance

The stance is simply the way you stand while waiting for the pitched ball.
The first thing about your stance will be finding that spot around or above your shoulder where you want to hold the bat.
The next thing you want to find is the angle that you should hold the bat so that it feels lightest and easiest to control.
Once you have decided how you will hold the bat take practice swings just swinging the bat in the air at an imaginary ball.
Once you start the bat in motion, it should feel lighter and easy to swing without resistance.
Practice your swing until you can hear the bat cut the air (it will make a slight sound).

REMEMBER

Never aim the bat head at the ball or try to guide the bat head.
Swing your hands at the ball and you will find that the bat will follow.
Always complete the swing with the follow through.
If possible, never hit off a Tee. Always try to hit with live pitching or a pitching machine.
There are no home runs in the batting cage. No matter how good the contact feels, only hitting on the field will show you the actual results.
If working out alone is the only option at times, use some form of a hit away device. (a ball on a rope)
In batting practice, always aim for the opposite gap. The pitcher is throwing so you can hit the ball. Don't be a batting practice home run king.

Into Action

Break down the swing into four parts. Pick up a bat and try this.

1) Generate bat speed simultaneously using the stride, wrist and hip rotation in the first quarter of the swing. Now relax.

2) In the second phase of the swing, the bat is at great speed until the bat is forced to turn in the hands thus the wrist break (prefferably right over the plate) again increasing speed.

3) The bat is now a projectile being affected by centripetal forces. Still relaxed, allow the bat (now at its greatest accelleration) to make contact with the ball.

4) Followthrough, decreasing the speed of the bat with your arms and hands.

This 'relaxed swing' will allow the greatest creation of bat speed and thus force at impact. The quality of the contact made will determine the final result.

The key is to relax in the swing. You can't hit and think at the same time.
Last edited {1}
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Q Quincy1,000+ posts
All three at once in starting the swing to gain the greatest bat speed.

You seem to be referring to the wrists breaking when you say 'hands', otherwise your swing will be too slow.

Idealy contact would be made as the front foot lands.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPAvbBYCqCk&mode=related&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etSfBwcNpII&mode=related&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fN_XhY6MJ9c
Last edited by Quincy
Q Quincy1,000+ posts
As soon as the front foot lands, forward momentum is diminishing.

The fraction of a second between the time the front foot lands in the clips to contact is minmal. The clip is in slow motion. But it still diminishes the possible effect of making contact when forward momentum is at its greatest.

http://imageevent.com/siggy/hitting/pro?p=43&w=4&c=4&n=0&m=12&s=0&y=1&z=9&l=0
Last edited by Quincy
B baseballpapa100+ posts
If a person strides, the hands separate as the foot goes forward. It can look like the hitter "bar-arms." When the foot lands (the rotation that already is started, accelerates and the hands follow the rotation into the hitting area. I said hands because the wrist action is delayed. The hands (both of them) initiate the bat into the hitting area, and the wrists take over (both hands are used, not just the top hand) into a palm-up-palm-down contact of the ball. However, the hands do not start until the front foot lands. If anything they have the appearance of pressing back as the stride goes forward. Some hitters actually do press back others stride out and leave the hands where they started. Either way there is separation causing distance between where the hands start and the hitting area. Bonds "cocks" the bat, leaves the knob close to the hitting area but creates more distance of the barrel (than where he starts) thus having the best of both worlds. Short to the hitting area but a longer barrel to the hitting area.
Q Quincy1,000+ posts
I see all three starting at the same time.

The distance the bat travels compared to the foot is greater thus the appearance of delay in the swing until the front foot lands.

If the hands did not start until the front foot lands, the batter would never make contact.

The average pitch travels to the plate in .4 seconds. The batter would have to pick up the ball, stride and then bring the hands forward in your explanation.

The batter has approximately .2 seconds to swing.

There simply is not enough time as you describe.
Last edited by Quincy
P PGStaff10,000+ posts
quote:
Idealy contact would be made as the front foot lands.

Quincy,
Do you really believe that?
If so, that means the back foot would be planted in the ground and how would you go about adjusting to off speed.

Not to bring up an old subject, but how would you describe the swing you've mentioned here... Rotational or linear?
M micmeister500+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by Quincy:
All three at once in starting the swing to gain the greatest bat speed.

You seem to be referring to the wrists breaking when you say 'hands', otherwise your swing will be too slow.

Idealy contact would be made as the front foot lands.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPAvbBYCqCk&mode=related&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etSfBwcNpII&mode=related&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fN_XhY6MJ9c




The hands and arms can't start to the ball until the front heel plants. What you are saying would be like trying to shoot a rubberband using only one finger.
M micmeister500+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by Quincy:
I see all three starting at the same time.

The distance the bat travels compared to the foot is greater thus the appearance of delay in the swing until the front foot lands.

If the hands did not start until the front foot lands, the batter would never make contact.

The average pitch travels to the plate in .4 seconds. The batter would have to pick up the ball, stride and then bring the hands forward in your explanation.

The batter has approximately .2 seconds to swing.

There simply is not enough time as you describe.




To do what you are trying to describe, you may as well be standing on one leg. You may be able to make contact (but I doubt it), but if you do, it won't be going very far.
Q Quincy1,000+ posts
Adjusting to off speed is done before the swing. Any adjustment in the swing to an off speed pitch would require affecting the bat in motion and thus losing accelleration.

Since there is 'stride' and 'turn' in my description, there are elements of both rotational and linear schools of thought. Combining simple technics properly would enhance the operation of a simple machine.

In order to post an example of this, I would have to find a clip of an 'accidental' home run or a 'one handed' home run.

Mic,

You are apparently of the mind set that the batters power generates the best result in contact instead of proper use of the bat.

If we all consider that we are actually looking to swat instead of swing, you may get a better understanding of generating the greatest bat speed and force.

Break down the swing into four parts. Pick up a bat and try this.

1) Generate bat speed simultaneously using the stride, wrist and hip rotation in the first quarter of the swing. Now relax.

2) In the second phase of the swing, the bat is at great speed until the bat is forced to turn in the hands thus the wrist break (prefferably right over the plate) again increasing speed.

3) The bat is now a projectile being affected by centripetal forces. Still relaxed, allow the bat (now at its greatest accelleration) to make contact with the ball.

4) Followthrough, decreasing the speed of the bat with your arms and hands.

This 'relaxed swing' will allow the greatest exertion of bat speed and thus force at impact. The quality of the contact made will determine the final result.

The key is to relax in the swing. You can't hit and think at the same time.
Last edited by Quincy
CM Coach May1,000+ posts
There was a clue folks. "Basic Batsmanship"???????
What the heck is Batsmanship? Basic Hitting - OK. Basic Hitting Fundementals - OK. Batsmanship? There was nothing basic in that post Quincy. If that is really your name. Contact is made as the front foot is landing??? Dude that is so far from reality its , well not good Batsmanship.
Q Quincy1,000+ posts
I see you took my advice and tried the hitting style. NOT

Batsmanship is he art of handling the bat.

After you give it a try then come back and make some sense instead of ranting and asking questions that are plainly answered in the post.

It is as basic as basic can be. Read the post. Get of your kiester and try swinging a bat using the style.

Better yet, go out and hit some balls using the swing.

Until that time you have no valid input in the discussion.
B baseballpapa100+ posts
I walked by a college practice last year where the coach was telling the hitters to get their foot down early. I wanted to say "get your foot down at the right time", but stopped myself.

I'm not a proponent of teaching that that the front foot should land early. Early means early. It seems the timing should be just right, not early, not late.

If the front foot landed as the ball was being hit, that would be real late.
P PGStaff10,000+ posts
Quincy,

I'm totally confused.

Please tell us you're just pulling our chain.

If not, would you be willing to share your thoughts on "basic batsmanship" with the most knowledgable hitting instructor/coach that you might know, someone you totally trust and ask them what they think.

FWIW... It might save you some grief.

I don't think anyone is going to go out and try hitting that way. It's kind of like telling someone they need to go out and try pitching from behind their back before they can disagree with it being the best way to pitch.

Anyway, if you truly believe what you posted, more power to you. But if your hitting advise were so "basic", don't you think you would have someone here agreeing with you? Wink
Q Quincy1,000+ posts
PG,

I don't expect many batting instructors to agree with me. As you stated, you have first hand knowledge of their inability to help a player adjust to be productive.

One high school player was striking out and popping up regularly. I taught him this swing in ten minutes. He tried it in the cage and then tried it in the game.

He hit three smoking line drives, one caught on a leaping circus catch by the shortstop, but the other two were no higher than ten feet high all the way to the left center wall.

After a visit to his batting teacher, he was back to striking out and popping up.

I have never asked for payment in the advice I give. I just enjoy watching the results.
P PGStaff10,000+ posts
quote:
I'm not a proponent of teaching that that the front foot should land early. Early means early. It seems the timing should be just right, not early, not late.

If the front foot landed as the ball was being hit, that would be real late.


Quincy,

Is it possible that you taught that player what baseballpapa calls "just right" in the above quote?

Personally, I would add too early is much better than too late!
Q Quincy1,000+ posts
He is pretty much describing the same thing that I am.

My ideal is contact when the foot touches, his is while the forward momemntum is still being developed.

My 'style' takes advantage of all the momentum that can be developed plus the additional torque of the change in direction.

As with the pendulum, the greatest force generated by the down swing is not at dead center. It is just slightly after dead center from the last swing effect before gravity starts decellerating the swing.

That is what I recommend as the point of contact just in front of the plate. (Step 3 in my swing description)
Last edited by Quincy
Q Quincy1,000+ posts
I found a clip of someone using some of the 'style' swing from this site. His front foot slides rather than strides

I hope he doesn't mind me posting it.

"i took your advice and tried to work on my form and make my swing smooth and i hit a lot more line drives in practice, other than being walked mostly i hit good in the games too"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XStxFDOauQ4
Last edited by Quincy
M micmeister500+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by Quincy:
I found a clip of someone using some of the 'style' swing from this site. His front foot slides rather than strides

I hope he doesn't mind me posting it.

"i took your advice and tried to work on my form and make my swing smooth and i hit a lot more line drives in practice, other than being walked mostly i hit good in the games too"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XStxFDOauQ4




Yep, beautiful swing alright. It has very little in common with what you've described, but it's beautiful.
B baseballpapa100+ posts
Quincy,

I think the use of A-Rod is really good. As you said earlier, there is not much time (milliseconds) to read and swing. I did hit the pause button on A-Rod. Once I got him exactly when his foot lands and his bat is back. I tried again and his bat was at contact. That is how quick and few frames there are.

I commend you for studying the swing. Don't pay attention to the digs people will give. Thinking out loud on this board will make all of us better -- if we will change when we hear a good idea. What you did with your hitter was probably get his foot down earlier that he was and get him into a strong position to hit.

The college coach was telling ALL his players to get the foot down early. Early is early, it is no good. It ruins timing and makes everyone a slap hitter. Also makes it hard to drop the barrel (or adjust) for off-speed and location.

Notice in the A-Rod clip how open his front foot is at landing yet how closed his upper body is. Wish I was A-Rod's hitting coach. I would take all the credit and not change anything.
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