Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Thu Jul 13 17:28:42 2000

>>>My main goal was proper grip of the bat. I see no mention of that on your research. Do you have any advice on this subject?<<<

Hi Doug

One of the most important things to remember about the "grip" - is not to grip - at least not with the top hand. The angle between the wrist can constantly change during the swing. To tight a grip can cause the wrist to bind.

Below is a post I made on the subject eariler:

"Some of the major mechanical flaws I am seeing in reviewing players swings starts with the grip. In fact I found it necessary to add a video clip to the reviews explaining the problems a hitter gets into from gripping the bat to tight while wearing sticky batting gloves. --- When most batters initiate their swing with a high back elbow (to apply more top-hand-torque) the top of both hands are almost in-line. This means the angle between the wrist are from 145 to 180 degrees. But as the hands approach contact this angle decreases to about 15 degrees. If the grip is to tight or his gloves (or bat handle) will not allow the top hand to rotate (or slip) around the bat there is going to be a large build-up of pressure on the wrists. Something will have to give!! This causes a decrease in bat speed and the bat wobbles in through the swing plain. --- That's why Big Mac grips the bat very, very lightly with his top hand. "

Jack Mankin