Posted by: Enloe () on Sun Aug 10 02:57:13 2003

>>>If your thesis that torque from the opposing force of the hands on the bat is correct, it should follow that, for the same amount of opposing force, seperating the hands should create more torque. Any comments?<<<
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> Hi Jeff,
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> Separating the hands would create more torque, but you would lose speed (the farther the hands are apart, the slower they move). Most players can generate enough torque with the hands together, so the additional torque would be wasted and sacrifice bat speed. Also, since the bat is in contact with the ball for such a short period of time, it is not necessary to drive the bat through contact. In contrast, separating the hands would be beneficial if you were cutting a 4 foot swath of grass with a scythe where continuous torque is needed.
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> Think of separating the hands as using the biggest rear sprocket on a bicycle when riding on level ground - sure you would have more torque, but it is wasted and speed is lost.
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> Jack Mankin

In the context of torque, I totally agree that separation of the hands would slow batspeed. The the hands, however, would actually be moving faster in terms of an axis considering each of them or between them. This sounds strange, but the arc the hands have to travel is increased. In terms of of lever systems; 3rd class(THT), 1st class(BHT), or force couple, the force arm(s)(distance between hands) is increased as the resistance arm(s)(bat above top or between hands) is decreased. The increased force arm(s) allows better (torque) leverage improving the ease at which the bat can be rotated, but the hands have to travel over a longer distance, thereby increasing their (tangential) speed. The decreased resistance arm (rest of bat above the top hand, or axis between the hands) has shortened thereby, decreasing the tangential velocity (batspeed of the sweetspot). Sorry for the jargon, although somewhat basic. Hopefully some of the bridge (science vs. practice) brigade can swallow this.
Enloe