Posted by: dougdinger () on Fri Jun 27 00:39:32 2003

Where are the hands and the position of the bat at footplant with most of the great hitters? Just spent a couple of hours checking out some of the greats and it is interesting, because even though they have different styles, they are all very similar at footplant.
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> That's why they are all "greats". I'd say at least 90% of Hall of Famers have almost identical swings. Once the heel drops, they are in very similar positions and carry out very similar swings. How they get to that point is up to them and they're style.

Page 62 from Tony Gwynn's The Art of Hitting
"......At the same time, your hands have reached the hitting, or cocked, position. In the hitting position, the top hand is right by your ear. It's almost in that spot where coaches will warn you to watch out. You do not want to go past that point because the bat will get wrapped around your head.
But in order to be a good hitter, sooner or later you must get your hands to the cocked position......"

I'd say the hands are closer to your back shoulder rather than your ear, especially not "right next to your ear".