Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Sun Dec 23 18:28:19 2007

Hi George

Much of what you say in your posts is contradicted by what the games best hitters exhibit in their swings. My New Year’s wish for you is that you take the time to studying more video of swings before making statements that video analysis will later prove to be incorrect.

As an example you state, “to go past the perpendicular & have the bat end pointing at the pitcher (ala JULIO FRANCO is the extreme poster child), or at the SS (ala KONERKO or VLAD) MEANS YOU BAT IS TRAVELING BACKWARD TOWARDS THE CATCHER 12"-18" BEFORE IT STARTS FORWARD TOWARDS THE BALL.. ALL AFTER THE PITCH IS RELEASED?!?!?!...YOU DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THAT!!! “

Many of the best hitters tip their bat past perpendicular and still have ample time to make consistent hard contact. George, accelerating the bat “BACKWARD TOWARDS THE CATCHER 1"-18" EFORE IT STARTS FORWARD TOWARDS THE BALL,” is not a negative. In fact, it is that rearward acceleration of the bat, back to the lag position, that allows these best hitters to attain their great bat speed by contact.

I wish you a Merry Christmas and God Speed for the New Year,

Jack Mankin