Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Mon Dec 17 11:01:57 2007

Hi Jimmy & Graylon

I would agree that there are good hitters (like Sosa) who move the torso forward during stride. I would further agree that an across the plate view of their stride would show their hands remain fairly still as their body moves forward. However, at the same time, a frontal view would show that their hands are also being rotated inward behind their heads (“inward turn” – “hiding the hands from the pitcher”). – We really need to look at both views to get a full understanding of their mechanics.

Jimmy states, “The hands should not go back at all, they actually stay in space where they are and the torso floats away from them.” – Video shows that is not the case with many good hitters. There are hitters (like Bonds) who have little or no forward movement of the torso during their strides. Their hands do move back (and inward) as they prepare their launch position.

Jack Mankin