Posted by: Jack Mankin (Mrbatspeed@aol.com) on Sun Apr 20 22:25:13 2003

>>> IMHO, when talking about swing mechanics, you have two parts. The rotation (and whatever it takes to do that) and the connection of the bat to the rotation.

The rotation of the body is relatively simple to do and understand. We can argue different points within it but most people can rotate.

The problems come when you connect the bat to the torso. It is connected with the arms and the question becomes where and how. Where refers to the height of the arms and the position of the hands. It appears to be different from player to player but it is important for one to find the right location for themselves. And the right location is determined by the how. The how is what it takes to keep them connected as you swing and this will play a major role in where you hold them.

The how is also related to this top hand/bottom hand discussion. You have to be able to rotate so there is no slack. In other words, the first movement of shoulder rotation must move the barrel. Not the handle only but the barrel. Too much slack and the barrel doesn't move right away. There is a slight delay. This slight delay is a killer against top pitching. And it is obviously not a quick swing.

It is my contention that as soon as the arms get independently active, you disconnect. The barrel will not come around quickly and efficiently as long as the arms are moving independent of the rotation. In fact, the barrel won't arc out until the arms stop. You have to find a spot where the body can power the swing (I really like Coach C's torso rotation explanation) without this arm movement. The arms should only move if the torso moves them. If they move on their own, the barrel will drag.

Therefore, it is also my contention that, although you feel the energy in the hands on it's way to the barrel, there is little or no pushing of the barrel by the top hand toward the pitcher. This pushing, if it exists, is the beginning of disconnection. If it goes long enough you'll push the elbow right out of the slot. I'm sure you've heard pulling off the ball. Well, it is also possible to push off the ball.

Also, pushing with the top hand is limited as the hands flatten. Flat hands are necessary to match the plane. It is so limited that whatever contribution it offers to batspeed is minimal. What is present in a large degree when the hands are flat, is the pull on the bat, by the lead shoulder going back to the catcher, through the lead arm, as the rotation occurs. Jack calls this bottom hand torque. He calls it this because the barrel is being effected by the pull on the bottom hand against the top hand. However, this pull is actually being generated by rotation. Therefore, the name is tricky. You can feel it in the hands but it is being driven by the shoulder. And, if this pull is truly generated by shoulder rotation and not arm movement, then, bottom hand torque will not lead to disconnection.

I don't like the term, but I understand it. And, I have no better term to offer. But I think the misunderstanding comes from the fact that the pull is coming from the shoulder through the bottom hand, not the hand doing the pulling<<<

Hi Teacherman

Very well stated!!