Sosa, Bonds and the launch position

Shawn said:

The pause is the launch position. Sosa has the hands higher and away from his body to start and then brings them down and in to reach the launch position. While Bonds has the hands lower and then raises them to reach the launch position. While the ideal launch position is at toe touch such as Bonds, the foot can still be in the air such as Sosa. Side by Side you can see them prepare the launch position, taking different paths to arrive in the same position.

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An aspect of this that I have found interesting is how the hands work together with the body. After the pause, the hands continue to work up (hands getting loaded) as the rear shoulder works down and in.

Gambler Bob said:

I understand that. Never noticed how exaggerated Sosa double toe tap was before. I would find that difficult to teach, although it is hard to argue with Sosa's success. Do what works for that individual.

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It may be difficult to teach. Its pretty easy to learn, for some individuals it just comes naturally.

FP26 said:

An aspect of this that I have found interesting is how the hands work together with the body. After the pause, the hands continue to work up (hands getting loaded) as the rear shoulder works down and in.

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Yes the full stretch doesn't happen until the hips turn or until the hips open. The X factor effect.

Homerun derby is not very accurate as far as swing analysis it will give you the basics of their swings but given a 80 mph meatball down the middle your approach is slightly different.

Here is Sosa in game still pic this is his launch position and actually a full frame after heel plant. Furthest point of hands back before going forward and you can see even though his back heel is off the ground he looks almost complete coiled around the rear leg still. In the video he actually reaches back after heel plant that one extra bit.

What's interesting is you can tell in original posters clip its earlier in Sosa's career just by his size but in the clip shown he starts high and goes to launch but Bonds goes low to high. In this clip you can see he starts at the point come down and then up closer to what Bonds looks like. Actually maybe he altered his launch point too later in his career it would be interesting to see progression, I'm just going off his body build and guessing.

djcarter1966 said:

Homerun derby is not very accurate as far as swing analysis it will give you the basics of their swings but given a 80 mph meatball down the middle your approach is slightly different.

Here is Sosa in game still pic this is his launch position and actually a full frame after heel plant. Furthest point of hands back before going forward and you can see even though his back heel is off the ground he looks almost complete coiled around the rear leg still. In the video he actually reaches back after heel plant that one extra bit. View attachment 12175 ]

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While there are many position one can look at this is not the launch position. The launch position is not into the sequence as your showing, hips open, back elbow down, front foot planted. The launch position means something. If there was a position that defines between the change of direction and when the swing begins, that would be toe touch. There are other things that make up the launch position if you want me to list them and even though you might achieve a good launch position doesn't mean you will have a good swing.

I think your version of the launch position in max stretch or bat lag. When the hands begin to move forward as you said.There are many positions we could look at and explain during the swing.

Hi Ian,

You're right, a toe touch is generally just that timing mechanism just prior to setting up the backside load. There's typically more time for this to occur in baseball, and especially in home run derbies where there's plenty of time to "set up" that load.

Many coaches will use that terminology to identify a link in the chain within the hitting sequencing. I'm careful with that and don't generally include it. More often than not, I've seen it introduce a regressive, exaggerated movement that becomes contrary to a strong 60/40 load. How many kids have you seen over-exaggerating a toe touch by literally having only the front toe on the ground. That typically sets up a 90/10-ish load distibution, which is non-athletic and can be counterproductive. I've even seen forward moving toe touches intitiated after kids have already loaded into their backside drive position. Have seen it so deeply engrained as a counted step in mental memory that it's very difficult to correct.

Hitting is primarily a reactionary event with some obvious timing movements. Because kids typically have less reaction time to their baseball counterparts, I typically eliminate the toe touch all together and simplify the sequencing by subtraction. There's just not as much reaction time. This is typically what occurs with the Sammy Sosas and Barry Bonds in men's fastpitch.

Chris