Posted by: Jack Mankin (mrbatspeed@aol.com) on Sun Aug 31 03:14:28 2003

>>> go to

http://www.setpro.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=12;t=000025;p=1#000009

scroll, not quite, down half-way.
examine the animations on the left-hand side of the screen. <<<

Hi Ray

I would agree that it does show the animated batter applying Top-Hand-Torque. But I would also say that the overall mechanics exhibited would not produce a good swing. I have often pointed out that when a batter applies THT, the bat-head MUST be accelerated into the correct plane of the swing. Although the animation does show the bat-head being accelerated back toward the catcher at initiation, the bat is shown accelerating in a too vertical direction and will cause the bat to pass down through the correct swing plane (the plane of the lead-arm). This will lead to wrist binds, waves in the plane and an overall inconsistent swing.

In order for the bat-head to accelerated back into the correct plane, the hands should be brought back closer to the back-shoulder allowing bat to sweep down behind the batters head and into the plane of the lead-arm. In the overhead view of the animated batter, note how far his hands are out away from the back-shoulder. And also note that the bat is being accelerated almost straight back and down. Then note how much closer Barry Bonds brings his hands to the back-shoulder and how the bat sweeps behind his head into the swing plane. --- That is the correct way to apply Top-Hand-Torque.

Jack Mankin