The latest guru on Twitter

[FiveFrameSwing]

Connect the dots.. Draw a straight line through each dot to the point of contact.... There is an incline. You are blinded by your own ignorrance.

Done that exercise more times than I wish to count.

 

[FiveFrameSwing]

So you are saying MLB players dont think about launch angle?

Thought I was pretty clear.

 

[FiveFrameSwing]

So in your opinion the swing launch is determined at some point after release.. Of course thats easy. However do you believe that swing launch can be adjusted in a swing to meet the break of the pitch. Basically can a good hitter recover from initially starting their swing (getting on plane) on a pitch they think is waste high.. But drops to mif thigh? Can their swing be adjusted so the swing launch is where it should be?

Understand the importance of 'direction'. It's a critical element of a good swing.

 

[FiveFrameSwing]

In my opinion, "launch angle" is another red herring created by gurus and then picked up by sports casters who continue it. It has always been prominent in the game. Ted Williams described it in The Science of Hitting. The discussions have always been whether hitters actually swing down on the ball. Are they able to hit one specific part of a 90+ mph baseball to impart spin on purpose? Do they match a swing plane exactly? What are the role of the hands in the swing? Suddenly, you have analysis on the MLB station breaking this stuff down and suggesting that this concept is new. Break down Bond's swing and you'll see it. Do the same with Pujols. Remember when Manny Rameriz's swing was the soup de jour? Take a look at his game swings. Do the same with all of the great hitters in the past including the Babe. Watch the shoulder action and see that the shoulders have never been level in the HL swing. Even on the pitch up, the shoulders are not level. Note the various launch angles below and notice the avatar of my kid.

Good post.

Those that preach 'level shoulders' may mean well, but they inadvertently cripple the main engine in the swing.

 

[rdbass]

 

[FiveFrameSwing]

Considering the amount of time a fastpitch hitter has to react.. they really can't wait that long when you have a good pitcher on the mound. That's why I believe a level swing mentality gets them in the best position to react to either drop ball/rise ball. It's a little different in baseball where the pitching plane declines on a greater angle. I believe in fastpitch the hitter needs to stay on top more and react

Pattar was correct.

 

[rdbass]

 

[FiveFrameSwing]

 

[FiveFrameSwing]

 

[FiveFrameSwing]