Posted by: grc () on Mon Jun 24 10:06:00 2002

I have finally got my swings on my computer. I would appreciate it if anybody would write back their comments. Heres the link, its at 25 frames per second im pretty sure
> > > members.aol.com/dfaust4522/sideview
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> > hitman....i saw your clip at setpro & like i said, i think you look fine....i guess you asked for it, so you will get a gazillion tips as to what's wrong...the latest complaint is that when you stride your body (and head along with it) moves toward the pitcher!!!....anyway, just my opinion, but "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".....
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> Viewing of vide and numerous clips of current MLB hitters. There is verly little forward head movement during the stride. Some players don't even stride (Bagwell, Garciaparra) and certainly no forward head movement. To name a few, Griffey and Sosa have little forward head movement and Piazza, Bonds have none. Hitman has considerable.
> forward head movement. Is it easier to catch a ball standing still or running for it? Is it easier to focus on an object with a still head versus a moving one? Hitting is not only about the swing. you have to consistently find the sweet spot of the bat. Does it not make sense that a steady head will only increase a hitter's chances?

maybe we should share clips since mine are showing something different from yours.....since we can't post clips, the next best thing is to cite one that many of us have seen....you can find at setpro a delgado clip....when he strats his stride, his midsection is in line with the right part of the espn sign in the background...when he finishes his body is obscuring all but the left side of the sign....while it is true some players have little or no stride, it doesn't change the fact that if you choose to stride, the body will move, and the head is attached to the body.....

in hitman's clip, frame 1 shows the start of the lef lift & the hands starting back....frame 8 shows the start of the perfecctly normal forward movement of the body...frame 17 the stride foot lands....between f8 and f17 the chin is tucked in on the front shoulder.....frame 18 the swing starts with jack's classic "rotation aroind a stationary axis"....forward movement has ceased, and from what i recall at setpro, many would be pleased as to how his backward body lean progresses throught the swing....

stride vs. no-stride is a seperate issue,but i don't think too many people are going to argue that (1) a stride is bad and (2) a stride doesn't involve forward body movement.....what is important is there be no excessive forward body movement AFTER the stride foot lands....

as far as hitman's "steady head" is concerned, again i will point out that throughout the stride his chin is tucked in against the front shoulder...