Posted by: THE HITTING GURU () on Fri Jul 25 09:04:13 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?
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> > > > > 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.
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> > > > 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)
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> > > > > 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?
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> > 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.
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> The top hand of good hitters who release does not come off the bat until well after contact. Check out film of G.Brett, W. Clark and Jason Giambi and you will see that their hands are still on the bat for about 3-4 feet after impact. Releasing is just a style.
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> Doug




Releasing is a style for some. But for others it is a deliberate act to allow them to extend through the ball and keep a continuous angle as not to roll over the top hand. In addition, for many players who already have there weight shift back (pre swing) on their back leg the top hand release helps them maintain balance while finishing their swing. Some hitters in this case would unfortunately roll their hands over prematurely which would cause their head and body to bail out if the kept both hands on the bat. (See Charlie Lau the art of hitting .300 video) The point given by doug is a good point, but to be completely accurate we would need a zoom in close up to see if the initial hand angle has moved toward the motion of realeasing at the point of contact. (Charlie Lau method) This is a good topic for debate and I would suggest for anyone who has a differing opinion to try both methods themselves and see what the results are. On a perfect swing it may be true that both hands remain. But how often is everything in sink to perfection. I have seen a lot of players lunge out to reach pitches and still hit them out of the park. And it appeared that they almost completely one handed the ball. (ex. Soriano home run of Schilling in Game 7 of the 2001 World Series on an offspeed pitch)