Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Tue Jun 20 08:10:53 2000

>>>What is their any advantage for high school age kids to hit with their bat on their shoulder? Why would a coach teach this? The bat stays on the shoulder and the swing starts from their. Is this a rec league thing? <<<

Hi 4

Good batters hold their bat in a wide array of positions prior to the swing. George Brett, who is know to be the most consistent hitter of hard line-drives, kept his bat on his shoulder and wrapped it back behind his head to where it almost pointed at the pitcher. Gary Sheffield, on the other hand, holds his bat out in front of his head also pointing in the direction of the pitcher. Many batters prefer to hold it in a more vertical position.

Regardless of where the batter holds the bat prior to initiation, they all will (or should) bring the bat in-line with the lead arm as body and shoulder rotation starts. Accelerating the bat-head in-line with the lead arm produces that consistently flat swing plane so necessary in becoming a great hitter. --- That’s one reason I like Brett’s style. As he applies top-hand-torque, he accelerates the bat right into the intended plane of the swing.

So 4, I would find little wrong with teaching a batter to keep the bat on (or near) the shoulder as the start their swing. Assuming the batter was allowed to have cock in the bat and the balance of his mechanics were rotational.

Jack Mankin