Posted by: THE HITTING GURU () on Tue Jul 29 18:39:48 2003

I like your last paragraph and also feel that it is easier to stay inside the ball on an inside pitch (keeping the ball fair- even pitches in off the plate) if the hitter can keep both hands on the bat. The only thing is that this is easier for the pull hitter to accomplish because his strength is inside anyway. The lead arm extension benefits those who use the whole field the most.
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> Hi THE HITTING GURU
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> I must differ with you on your last point. Extending the lead-hand to contact is one of the key differences in linear vs rotational mechanics. A good portion of a great hitter's bat speed is generated from an angular hand-path. The greater the angular displacement of the hands, the greater the bat speed (also depending on the arc radius of the path). The displacement rate is at its maximum at what we term “the hook” in the hand-path. This occurs as the lead-shoulder starts rotating back toward the catcher which causes the lead-hand to also be pulled back toward the catcher (as opposed to extending).
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> Extending the lead-hand toward contact results in conditions that are just the opposite of the “hook” effect. It not only negates the “hook” effect, it makes the total hand-path longer and straighter. THE HITTING GURU, do you know whether or not Charley Jr. advocates extending the lead-hand?
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> Jack Mankin
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Sorry for the delay. It took awhile to locate my research material. According to Charlie Lau Jr.'s book Lau's Laws of Hitting, he does in fact advocate extending the lead arm beginning on page 95. Pay particular attention to pages 121,128,131 and 145 where he illustrates this principle.

In reference to your point regarding batspeed and angular displacement, I read somewhere that most of the critical bat speed was generated well before contact. (If I can recall the passage I will let you know asap.) I believe that this lead arm hand path can be effective on inside pitches if the hitter starts somewhat away from the plate. (Brett vs. Gossage 1980 playoffs- low and in and Brett vs. Yankee left hander up and in fastball in Charlie Lau Sr. video Art of Hitting .300) But if a hitter is to close to the plate and steps towards the plate, the sweeping across the body swing as you pointed out can compromise the hitters effectiveness on inside pitches as well as reduce his overall power (because on most occasions the hitter will have to roll his wrists in order to allow the bat to elevate (tomohawk) on a belt high or higher pitch. On pitches that are up and in for a player who is close to the plate I believe an inside up swing in which the batter brings his hands into his body and makes a short, quick arching swing is more effective. (Both hands remain on bat during the inside up swing.) (Bonds, (Mattingly vs White Sox during 8 consecutive game homerun streak) and Canseco illustrated this type of swing for homeruns on pitches that where in off the plate.