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Linear vs Rotational Test the "Crack of The Whip" Theory Mechanics that Generate Bat Speed Letter from: Physics Dept Rotation and the Stationary Axis Increase in Batting Stats Does Bat Speed = Pop The Illusion of Power Wrist Action or Torque The Fence Drill and Bat Inertia

Subject: In 1993, I predicted (on videotape) that the number of homeruns would sharply rise and the 60 home run level would be challenged by a number of players.

Over the past few years there has been much speculation about the cause for the sharp rise in offense numbers, especially home runs. Normally, a 50 home run hitting performance would be fairly rare, today it is becoming more common. Most of the experts claim this rise is the result of players getting stronger and the lack of good pitching. Others would blame it on juiced balls; although manufactures claim it isn't true. Research I conducted leads me to a very different conclusion. My findings show that the rise in offense stats is more due to a growing number of players who have mastered a type of swing mechanics that allows them to generate much greater bat speeds.

The study covered nine years (1988 to 1996) and required literally thousands of hours. The first two years I spent charting the swing of nearly all major league ball players. I would video tape games shown on television and replay the swings back in frame by frame action. By placing a piece of clear plastic over the screen I was able to trace the movement of each part of the hitters body along with the bats reaction. I repeated this for each frame as the swing progressed. From the time the swing was initiated to the point of contact required from 4 to 6 frames depending on the mechanics of the batter.

To insure I correctly identified the players' mechanics, I charted 15 swings for each player over a two-year period. After much trial an error, I was able to devise a system whereby I could identify players according to the characteristics of their batting mechanics. I used 39 different batting characteristics and developed 12 swing type classifications. It was truly amazing how close the performance stats were for players with the same swing classification (same basic mechanics).

I think the most interesting finding that came from the study was that all the very top hitters exhibited a swing mechanic not found in any of the other players. --- They initiate the swing with what I termed "top hand torque" (top hand pulling back toward catcher while initiating the swing). In 1988 I identified 21 players who initiated the swing with this type of mechanic --- they dominated the stats.

By 1993, the list that I could identify as attempting the mechanic had grown to 48. A quick check in 1995 indicated the list was increasing at a faster rate. Not all were executing the mechanic correctly, but a number of players were getting it close enough to cause a considerable raise in the offense stats. Top hitters like Griffey, Sosa, Bonds and Big Mac now have that mechanic fairly well down pat.

I think the major reason for the sharp rise in the number of homeruns and top hitters can be traced to the availability of improved VCRs that provide a good clear frame-by-frame breakdown of the baseball swing. This has allowed many players to study and emulate the rotational mechanics used by the most productive hitters.