Batted Ball Distance

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Nov 29, 2011
257
16
I have read some of Mankin's stuff lately about how all energy and speed should be about depleted at contact, and not saved for the follow through

I don't necessarily disagree with this, but explain this....
I have two girls I work with, both have pretty sound mechanics, both are athletic, both are in a strong position at impact.....

Girl #1 - Weight 125lbs, Bat Speed at Impact 63mph, Best Hits 245'
Girl #2 - Weight 170lbs, Bat Speed at Impact 71mph, Best Hits 215'

My explanation is - it is important to sustain bat speed through contact, and not be slowed by the collision of bat/ball. What stat I don't have, and might be the telling story is that I suspect Girl #1 has a bat speed of lets say 40mph immediately after impact, and Girl #2 is at 32mph (guessing). I suspect ones legs, hands, core are stronger?

Any thoughts?
 
Jun 17, 2009
15,105
0
Portland, OR
There should not be a muscled-wrist pushing action through impact. Such an attempt to maintain barrel speed would short-circuit the kinetic chain and negatively impact release mechanics.
 
Nov 29, 2011
257
16
Both are 33" drop -9. Different brands, I would suspect one bat is a little hotter than the other but don't believe either has been altered.

I don't believe the wrist should move in a pushing/muscled action..... but I do believe there is a throwing action of the wrist.
 
May 23, 2015
999
63
What size bats do they swing?
This is a very important question. I would assume that either the larger girl is swinging a heavier bat (a heavier bat will dump speed quicker than a lighter one) or she's not driving through the ball

20 years ago I played for Ray Demarini. He was a fanatic in regards to bat speed and ball exit speeds. He was way ahead of his time. Driving through the ball and maintaining bat speed is crucial IF your goal is distance.
 
May 23, 2015
999
63
Both are 33" drop -9.

You answered before I could answer. Swinging 8 mph faster SHOULD compensate for a dead bat, so the distances SHOULD be similar in my opinion. I would assume that if she uses the same bat with a -10 she'll have better distance. All things equal of course
 
Jun 17, 2009
15,105
0
Portland, OR
This is a very important question. I would assume that either the larger girl is swinging a heavier bat (a heavier bat will dump speed quicker than a lighter one) or she's not driving through the ball

20 years ago I played for Ray Demarini. He was a fanatic in regards to bat speed and ball exit speeds. He was way ahead of his time. Driving through the ball and maintaining bat speed is crucial IF your goal is distance.

What Ray was truly good at was marketing.
 
Nov 29, 2011
257
16
This is a very important question. I would assume that either the larger girl is swinging a heavier bat (a heavier bat will dump speed quicker than a lighter one) or she's not driving through the ball

20 years ago I played for Ray Demarini. He was a fanatic in regards to bat speed and ball exit speeds. He was way ahead of his time. Driving through the ball and maintaining bat speed is crucial IF your goal is distance.

Ray was a passionate guy, I met him a couple times. I played during that time also.

I agree that driving through the ball is more important than Mankin is suggesting, this is why I was looking for feedback. The smaller girl has greater exit speed, it has to be.....but why? when the larger girl has 8mph on her up to contact?
 

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