Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Fri Jul 7 03:10:44 2000

>>>jack...i have evaluated (with the limited information that i have)the top hand theory and i have reason to believe that the theory could have some merit.....my question is this....my 18-year-old son throws right and bats left (doesn't switch, simply has batted left since he was 3 years old)....since my son's top hand is his "weaker", non-dominent hand/arm, what if any special problems do you see him potentially having in executing the top hand torque method???? and, speaking of him NOT being a switch hitter, even though he's already 18 years old, do you think that because he is a natural right-hander that he would have an easier time learning to switch than someone who bats/throws right learing to hit left?.....but my priority question is the one dealing with top hand torque....a swift and detailed response would be greatly appreciated......respectfully....grc..... <<<

Hi grc

When ever you hear a TV commentator address the amount of pre-launch bat movement a batter has, they will always add that it should not be attempted by mere mortals -- that to cock a bat at the pitcher the way Gary Sheffield does requires tremendous wrist and arm strength. --- That is so much poppy cock -- In the video I show that I can perform his pre-launch mechanics with just two fingers of the top hand on the bat. It is not a power movement - it is a finesse type motion. So, timing is far more critical the strength. Your son should have no problem.

The post to Alan below may also be of some help to you.

*********
" You have a good point. I should have explained it more thoroughly. ---As the batter prepares his pre-launch position he does cock the bat-head toward the pitcher. This does cause the wrist to also cock. But this cocking action does not come mainly from the muscle group that controls the adduct and abduct functions of the wrist. The wrist act more as hinge points. It is the push/pull action of the arms that cause the major cocking and un-cocking of the wrist.

Unlike the golf grip, the baseball/softball grip actually restricts wrist action. --- With the golf grip the hands are placed as an over-layed unit with both palms facing in relatively the same direction. This allows the wrist to work independently from the arms.--- But, with the baseball/softball grip the hands are not placed on the bat as a unit but separately with the palms in opposing directions. This type of grip restricts wrist action.

You can check this out for yourself. --Take your normal grip on the bat. Then sit down and place your elbows on a table. Note the amount of wrist action (in the swing direction) you can achieve keeping both elbows on the table. I think you will find that in order to attain much movement the arms must slide back and forth. --- Under a low load condition (pre-launch movement) the small muscle group that abduct and adduct the wrist can cause some wrist action. But once the large muscle groups are engaged and the swing is fully initiated the bat acceleration many attribute to "wrist action" is actually coming from the torque supplied by the "push - pull" action of the arms and body rotation. "

Jack Mankin