Posted by: THE HITTING GURU () on Thu Jul 24 10:31:13 2003

Ted Williams says it's the top hand since it gives the power in the swing. Tony Gwynn says its the bottom hand since it guides the bat through the hitting zone. What would you guys say?
> > >
> > > Ted worked hard at strengthening his left hand, as he was right handed except for his swing. The hands work as a unit, and my recommendation would be to try and get your hands as strong as you can and equal in strength so it will be easier for them to work together. Strength is so important if you want to hit the ball hard and far, and the hands are what holds onto the bat.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > FOR MOST PLAYERS WHO KEEP BOTH HANDS ON THE BAT THEIR TOP HAND IS MORE DOMINANT AS IT DIRECTS THE BAT MORE. (T. WILLIAMS) FOR MOST BATTERS WHO RELEASE THEIR TOP HAND THE BOTTOM HAND IS MORE DOMINANT AS IT PULLS THE BAT THROUGH THE CONTACT AREA FOR GREATER EXTENSION THROUGH THE SWING. (G. BRETT)
> > >
> > > If you release your top hand and let it guide the bat through the strike zone, that sounds like you're swinging the bat one-handed and making contact one handed. Where is the power in that? And why not take your stance with one hand on the bat?




Excuse me if I did not clarify my point. The release of the top hand should occur at or slightly before the point of contact, but just about all of the force of the swing has already been generated by the hips, stomach muscles, and forearms. The position of the hands at contact determine the direction and angle of the hit. A one hand swing (Pete Gray) would not be effective for power because the most powerful swing can only be generated by the whole body acting as a unit from start to finish. Even with the (Charlie Lau) top hand release at the point of contact both hands in unison with the entire body create the swing. With a stance with one hand on the bat only half the force and control of the average swing could be used. In addition the Lau Method allows for slightly greater reach (extension) on pitches. (Jim Edmonds) Example. If you were to hold a bat at the handle with both hands and raise it above your head you can only reach so far. But if you were to take the bottom hand off the bat you would notice that you can extend the bat slightly higher. This is an exaggeration of a point, but is used to illustrate the extension process that occurs during the Lau method. This process occurs so quickly that it is hard to notice what actually occurs.