Where do we begin with this debate?
The question seemed simple enough - what do you believe creates the most speed - at the plate, on the mound, on the base path? We're not sure what to make of the results. Some of the choices we expected to score high did not. Other popular choices seemed almost contradictory to the notion of speed. And the comments indicated that speed is part perception, part mechanics, part attitude.
First, a few comments from WebBall...
On speed versus power: All the things we worry about to generate speed do not always generate power. Quick hands alone can create speed, but without the triggering of the large muscles in sequence - legs, torso, shoulders, arms, the speed has no oomph behind it - translation: at the point of contact with a pitch, hand speed alone is not enough to propel the ball off the bat.
On fast-twitch triggers: It seems to us that a quick, back leg turn-in, for either the pitcher or batter, is going to trigger the sequence through the body and out the arm(s). If the leg turn is slow, then you are counting on the hips or abs or shoulders or arms to pick up the pace. Why not build speed sooner? Yet few votes were cast for leg turn-in as a speed factor.
On the pyschological advantage: Several votes were cast in base-stealing for longer leads and leaning to the next base. Think about this: the more you believe you have stretched the lead or are leaning forward, the more likely the pitcher will try a pick-off. He knows it and you as the baserunner know it. So what happened to the 'geographic' advantage? You may actual hesitate or be more worried about the pick off and not get a quick start. We'd rather see you shorten the lead but have more confidence in your quick pivot and those short pumping strides to get going.
On where speed comes from: Speaking of basestealing, sliding is the action of stopping not going. There is no way a longer slide or more airtime will increase speed. During sliding, absolutely no muscles are powering you forward. Likewise, follow through does not add bat speed.
Comments from voters....
I feel that speed in all aspects of the game comes from a player hustling from the start of playing the game. the player must push his body to preform at the top level at all times. if you can instill this in a player early, technique and skill will only increase performance.
- Randy Allen
Working from the ground up when batting or pitching and using the entire body seems to generate the most bat or pitching speed. Running speed (as with the others) takes practice and to build strength.
- Demitri Gula
The one thing that increased our bat speed this year was to pitch tennis balls to them at higher speeds than we would if it were throwing a hard ball.
This prevents that terrible feeling of hitting a kid in batting practice, teaches the kids to stay in the box on an inside strike and lets them see balls that are as fast or slightly faster that the top kids in the league.
Now our hardest time is with slow pitchers and waiting on the ball. Waiting is much easier than trying to speed the bat up.
- Chris Hoins
Speed comes from the legs when running. Everyone knows that, therefore you must work out you legs. I found that the best thing to do to improve your speed is to find a big steep hill. When you run down the hill it makes your legs quicker. When you run up the hill, it makes your legs a lot stronger.
When it comes to bat speed, you need to work on relaxing your torso area, and swing from your waist, which is where almost all of your power comes from, your waist and legs. Another major factor of bat speed is your wrists which need to be very quick.
- Lanny
For hitting it takes everything working in order. Some people don't have quick hands but pick the ball up quick enough. Eyes not picking it up but having quick hands works the same. Baserunning is all in the speed of the runner and the jump off the pitcher. Most baserunners aren't thinking about their slide. Leaning to the next bag gets you picked off. Any good pitcher or catcher will pick up a runner leaning and pick them.
- Chris
