Bat angle at launch

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Jun 27, 2011
5,089
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North Carolina
Should a hitter's bat angle (at the point of launching the swing) be the same regardless of the pitch?

Or might a good hitter adjust/measure the pitch during the load in a way that might produce a higher or lower bat angle at swing launch?
 

rdbass

It wasn't me.
Jun 5, 2010
9,131
83
Not here.
Or might a good hitter adjust/measure the pitch during the load in a way that might produce a higher or lower bat angle at swing launch?
The eyes will get the hands into position during the load. Launch is the same.
tumblr_oozkdjN8Yu1usf292o1_400.gif

miggy_grid.gif

In each swing above....the barrel is launched rearward AND RELEASED....before the tip of the barrel ever reaches the top of the wall padding in the background. From there it will taken to the ball. Most require an adjustment. Some do not. It is AT THAT POINT....that a handpath is decided. NOT BEFORE LAUNCH
Again....the barrel is being launched as those hands make the move he wants Eric to see. The hitter first recognizes pitch location and turns the barrel to that location. That action happens from a STATIONERY HAND PIVOT POINT....and the angle of the pivot is adjusted to that location AS the barrel is launched. Simultaneously. And because it is turned....launched.....rearward....it can THEN be adjusted for ball movement.
 
Last edited:
Jun 27, 2011
5,089
0
North Carolina
Thanks, rdbass. ... So it follows that the command drill begins at a launch position that will be virtually the same on every pitch, regardless of pitch location. And the adjustment (if needed) is made from there, or at go. When you say 'launch is the same,' you mean 'launch position is the same'.
 

rdbass

It wasn't me.
Jun 5, 2010
9,131
83
Not here.
Thanks, rdbass. ... So it follows that the command drill begins at a launch position that will be virtually the same on every pitch, regardless of pitch location. And the adjustment (if needed) is made from there, or at go. When you say 'launch is the same,' you mean 'launch position is the same'.

When you say 'launch is the same,' you mean 'launch position is the same
I believe 'barrel launch is the same'. I believe the hand position is different. I believe the eyes get the hands in a good position to 'launch' the barrel during the reading of the pitch/time ball is in the air. I hope that makes sense.
tumblr_oozpsvY6eI1usf292o1_400.gif
 

rdbass

It wasn't me.
Jun 5, 2010
9,131
83
Not here.
Originally Posted by CoogansBluff:So it follows that the command drill begins at a launch position

Some comments about the Command Drill:
The time between the decision to swing and the actual launch of the swing is a HUGE problem for amateur hitters and many pros. The need to reset or move to a different position, other than the one they were in when they made the go decision, before they can actually launch, is a career ender. Pitchers exploit that.
Since the loaded launch position is the twisted torsion spring, this creates a supernatural timing window. The torsion spring is a constant load. You keep pulling back even when range of motion limit is reached. No stop. No pause. No redirect. Just keep loading around and you create a window of time over which you release the barrel. Early in the window for the fast ball. A bit later for the offspeed. No pause. No stop. And the launch is seamless because it is launched in the same direction as the load. Rearward. Just continue on around.
 
Jun 27, 2011
5,089
0
North Carolina
thanks again, rdbass. ...

You don't happen to have a gif of a good command drill, do you? I know generally what it looks like. I think some others that you might've posted no longer appear on those threads.

The dreaded HS season is about to end, so that's our window to get back to work on positive change.
 
Jul 16, 2013
4,659
113
Pennsylvania
I believe 'barrel launch is the same'. I believe the hand position is different. I believe the eyes get the hands in a good position to 'launch' the barrel during the reading of the pitch/time ball is in the air. I hope that makes sense.
tumblr_oozpsvY6eI1usf292o1_400.gif

I agree. 'Educated hands'...
 

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