by Mark H » Fri Dec 26, 2014 4:37 pm
I would agree the focus should be on mechanics. Approach and the mental side are important but won't do much good without a quick and efficient swing. You get the inefficiencies mostly removed and the power will take care of itself. I don't care how far you hit it. I care how often you hit it far. Far in this case defined as doubles or better. Doubles change everything.
I say a "quick" swing. I'm defining that as the elapsed time from first move of the bat head into the swing plane till contact. If that's not .17 seconds or less you aren't likely to do well against the best pitching. Reason for that is, you will have to start your swing so early you will get fooled a lot once pitchers start throwing hard, changing speeds and spins and locating.
So define quick and efficient. I'd say it's the swing used by the best rbi middle of the order hitters at the highest levels of baseball and softball. Especially the smaller ones who have proven they can flourish at the highest levels. You can google up Siggys hitting to see some examples. If you want to know who I think teaches that best, just ask.