Comments on: Bryce Harper hit a mammoth walk-off homer last night

By: Kevin S.

Kevin S. — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 13:36:30 +0000

biceps, nobody’s disagreeing. If a slightly lighter bat helps you swing faster, then you will get more power. PL’s point was that if one could swing that 34 oz bat just as fast as the 32 oz bat, the 34 oz bat will generate more power. Different players react differently. Albert Pujols can swing a fairly heavy bat and still maintain incredibly bat speed and control. Nick Punto could swing a wiffle ball bat and still isn’t going to generate any power with it. The point is it’s a tradeoff. You can trial-and-error your way to the best bat weight for you, but there is a formula that can give you the optimal size.

By: purnellmeagrejr

purnellmeagrejr — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 12:09:21 +0000

In reference to bat size I’ve always heard it’s not the meat it’s the motion.

By: mgflolox

mgflolox — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 07:46:56 +0000

I’m not a physics major,but I will note that a bat speed study done by Ray DeMarini concerning softball players, showed that there is a deceleration effect that takes place after contact. Basically, that means that some players are more able to maintain bat speed after contact. In other words “hitting through the ball”, or, if you prefer, having a “heavy swing”. I’ve always wondered if mass has something to do with that.

By: 1historian

1historian — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 20:57:01 +0000

Lucky – the kid is 18 years old.

By: halladaysbiceps

halladaysbiceps — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 18:49:02 +0000

Guys, you are making this more complicated than it really is. Put the science away for a second. When I played baseball in high school, I used both a 32 and 34 ounce bat. I know for a fact that I was able to hit the ball harder and further using a 32 bat as opposed to a 34. Why? Because I was able to generate more bat speed and could follow through the zone faster and it personally worked for me. I had other guys tell me that they felt better with a 34 and thought they drove the ball harder and further with a 34. And I am not a small guy at 6-2′. So, it always comes down to preference.

By: paperlions

paperlions — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 18:06:09 +0000

It isn’t a debate Biceps, mass * acceleration = force. There is a limit to how fast you can swing a bat no matter how little it weighs, to maximize power all you to do is figure out a players bat speed for different weights of bats and find:

1) the point at which loss of speed has a greater negative effect than the increase in bat mass

2) the point at which a players bat speed starts to decline because of the added mass.

There are additional factors such as bat control and bat length, because the end of the bat is moving much more quickly than the handle…but in general, to maximize power, a player should use as heavy and long a bat as he can swing without loss of bat speed and control.

By: luckynucky

luckynucky — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 18:03:48 +0000

Now if only his maturity catches up to that homer…..

By: Roger Moore

Roger Moore — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 17:49:31 +0000

I’m not sure where you get the 54 ounces. The only quote I’ve heard on Ruth’s bat is from Babe Ruth’s Own Book of Baseball, where he mentions using a 47 ounce bat (in 1927) and moving to a lighter bat as he got older. And the reason Ruth’s bat was heavier was not so much because it was bigger as because he used one made of hickory, which is denser than ash or maple.

The question of bat weight vs power is a complex one. A heavier bat is better at a given bat speed, but a lighter bat lets you swing faster. There’s some question about how much faster the light bat is than a heavier one, so which one has an advantage in power is at least a little bit open. The thing that has driven batters to lighter bats is that the faster swing gives them a fraction of a second longer to judge the pitch, which increases their chances of making good contact (or holding up on a bad pitch). The advantage of making better contact with a light bat trumps the theoretical power advantage of a heavier bat.

By: halladaysbiceps

halladaysbiceps — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 16:33:49 +0000

I’ve also heard the opposite theory that the lighter the bat, bat speed can be generated quicker through the plate, resulting in greater power due to the increased speed. The old bat weight debate has been going on forever.

By: paperlions

paperlions — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 16:27:43 +0000

Physics, the greater the mass of the bat swung at the same speed will convey greater force to the object it strikes. In other words, if swing speed is maintained constant, a batted ball struck by a heavier bat will travel farther/faster. Therefore, hitters should use the heaviest bat they can swing and maintain bat speed.

By: natstowngreg

natstowngreg — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 15:36:07 +0000

You never know when a team will take off and become a contender. IMHO, the team’s progress suggests 2013, but there are no guarantees.

Getting from just under .500 (where the Nats are now) to contention involves getting a couple more bats, a couple more starting arms, and defense in CF. Strasburg and Harper would be two of the needed pieces.

By: Lukehart80

Lukehart80 — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 15:32:46 +0000

2014, just in-time for the Phillies to be over the hill and out of contention!

By: halladaysbiceps

halladaysbiceps — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 14:55:38 +0000

Well, even the Phillies have to lose a game every once in a while. I’m glad you are enjoying the Nats win last night. The Nats realistically will not be able to contend until probably the 2014 season if they do it right.

By: natstowngreg

natstowngreg — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 14:47:52 +0000

I believe cur is referring to the You Tube clip of Harper taking BP with a 67-ounce bat.

By: natstowngreg

natstowngreg — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 14:45:21 +0000

Not just beating the Phillies, but beating Cole Hamels after 10 kosses to him. We can’t think of contending in the next season or 2 until the Nats can beat the Fightins’ at least some of the time.

This season has been about improving and positioning for the future. Judging against that expectation, IMHO, it’s been successful.

By: cur68

cur68 — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 14:43:56 +0000

Actually I was just idly speculating because he’s been known to swing one that looks like a Fred Flintstone club in practice.

My over all point is (I do have a point, you see, I’m not JUST sleepy and cranky after a short night, you know); he sure got all the lumber he could on that one, eh? Thunder-stick go BOOM….

By: halladaysbiceps

halladaysbiceps — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 14:31:58 +0000

Ruth used a 54 ounce bat that makes Harper’s look like a toothpick. Not sure I understand why the size of his bat makes a difference. It’s all preference.

By: halladaysbiceps

halladaysbiceps — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 14:29:55 +0000

What a shot. This kid has major power. You never see that kind of power from an 18 year old kid. Amazing.

By: cur68

cur68 — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 14:29:53 +0000

Wow. There’s that maturity, eh? That thing’s in low Earth orbit I think.

No word on if he was using that oversized heavy bat of his is there?