Posted by: donny (donnybstr@aol.com) on Sun May 2 17:48:19 2004

>>> Jack-
>
> Thanks for the descriptive detail.
>
> There are lots of caveats like more frames per second is nice and bigger pictures/better resolution is nice and cause and effect are very difficult to assess,and the comparison is between 2 different players and its just one swing.etc.,etc.,(it would be nice to see a "non slumping" Arod with similar location),but even so I would personally agree with you that there is a swing plane related flaw.This is,of course,my pure personal speculation from a theoretical video analysis/webgeek standpoint.
>
> The model I have in mind would say the 2 likeliest culprits would be either 1-"rushing"-meaning Arod's shoulder/scap/arm/hand link pushes ahead rather than waiting for middle up untwisting to turn/pull the shoulder link. This means he drops the bat in an arm plane(top hand dominance/pushing swing at intiation) that is different from where the power plane of the torso is being developed,then has to compensate later.
>
> OR 2- he is cocking and uncocking the bat in a way (perhaps in a misguided attempt to shorten up) the the bathead gets too far out too soon which then prevents the desired sequencing to take place/forces shoulder link to unload prematurely.
>
> Grip placement or tension could also be a culprit.
>
> If you watch the Sosa clip you can see the torso turn/pull things in sequence as compared to Arod where the shoulder turn starts/handpath pushes before the torso turns to pull it.Would a nonslumping (is he even slumping?) Arod show the same "improved" sequence ?
>
> One way to approach a fix is to keep the bathead in,experiment with grip and avoid rushing(keep hands back more/keep back scap pinching as bat uncocks to sweep better),then check yourself with results and video.<<<
>
> Hi Tom
>
> I agree with you that comparing this clip of A-Rod with a clip when he is hitting the ball hard and consistently would be of great value. I’m sure Nick will probable keep this clip, so we should get the chance.
>
> Tom, you stated, “The model I have in mind would say the 2 likeliest culprits would be either 1-"rushing"-meaning Arod's shoulder/scap/arm/hand link pushes ahead rather than waiting for middle up untwisting to turn/pull the shoulder link.” – I had the same thoughts. But normally when the hands (as a unit) are pushed forward as the batter accelerates the bat-head back (THT), wrist binds will occur along with the reverse roll. I could not say definitely that binds were evident in the six swings I saw. However, wrist binds occur very early in the swing and are hard to see from this camera angle the hands of right-handed batters. – The grip could be a factor.
>
> Jack Mankin
>

/
/ He( Arod) doesn't seem to load his shoulders around the spinal axis as much as many good hitters. If the bat stays vertical then isn't it harder to load your shoulders . If your shoulders do not load, then how can you hips generate effortless power if the shoulder/hip separation/connection is weakened. He sorely lacks the torque of Barry Bonds and he looks like he depends on his hands early in the swing.