Posted by: Jack Mankin (mrbatspeed@aol.com) on Thu Sep 18 14:26:26 2003

>>> The key element for me is to recognize that when the body is over-active, the hands must make up the difference and catch up (difficult, but it can be done), on the other hand, a quiet body gives the hands more time, but they still can fire. I also don't think we should teach THT, it's the hands way of initiating the swing. Some THT a lot (Strawberry, Julio Franco), while others do/did very little (Nomar, Molitor). While I do agree with a lot of Jacks theories, it is wrong to say that firing the hands is incorrect for all. The key is to fire the hands in balance and that takes practice and good coaching. THT is a none issue to me and runs the risk of hurting more hitters than helping them. <<<

Hi Coach C

I would rephrase your opening statement to say, “The key element for me is to recognize that when the HANDS are over-active, the body must make up the difference and catch up (but not as effective as keeping the hands at the back-shoulder). On the other hand, quiet HANDS gives more time for body rotation to accelerate the hands into a circular path.” --- The hands may be active while staying back at (or coming to) the shoulder as they apply THT to accelerate the bat-head into the plane of the lead-arm. But rotation, not the arms, should accelerate them around toward contact.

But Coach C, I am not sure whether we have a difference in hitting principles or a difference in terminology. You say, “a quiet body gives the hands more time, but they still can fire.” What would you say the hands are doing as they fire? And, if the body is quiet (please explain), are you saying the extension of the arms are firing the hands?

>>> Jack....you and I disagree on one point. The hands should drive the shoulders and body.....I think you believe the body and shoulders bring the hands. That would work for me with a beach ball, but not with a dancing wiffle ball (a lot like a baseball). This debate has been going on in golf for years by the way, so it doesn't mean I'm right...........clearly many disagree, but it works for me. Keep up the good work and I'll keep listening and try to be convinced. <<<

I would agree that an arm swing may be better for slapping the ball behind the runner or hitting dancing wiffle balls, but I disagree that it is best for either the better golf or baseball/softball players.

Jack Mankin