Posted by: Rich (Holland608@cs.com) on Mon Oct 6 20:47:10 2003

During the home run derby this year Jim Edmonds spoke about how Pujols only tries to hit the ball up the middle. As you've stated previousely this is poor advice. Let me ask you and everyone this question. If Pujols were struggling would you ever deem it appropriate to be quicker with the hands? Probably not, thus well meaning coaches with your philosophy might do more harm than good. When Pujols, Morgan, Bonds, Williams say get quicker with hands, it would be wise to understand what that means, than to cast it off as bad advice. Do you think quick hands is bad advice for all?
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> > "We see what we want to see."In Pujols the top hand is a major player in accuracy and power, the difference is that he loads his for power, like throwing a ball. Most just throw darts with the top hand.
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> > Hi Coach C
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> > You stated: "In Pujols the top hand is a major player in accuracy and power, the difference is that he loads his for power, like throwing a ball.” – I agree with you. A great deal of this site’s information is devoted to explaining how the hands (as a unit) should stay back at the back-shoulder during initiation while the top-hand (THT) is used to accelerate the bat-head back into the correct swing plane.
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> > Having “Quick Hands” is most often defined as the quick extension of the hands toward the ball while the body remains quiet. This action would better fit your last point – “Most just throw darts with the top hand.”
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> > Note: I have always recommended that batters should attempt to hit the ball straightaway (even outside pitches). If their timing is a little early, they will pull the ball – a little late results in hitting to the opposite field.
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> > Jack Mankin
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> I wonder if we're saying the same thing, but in different terms. If I could figure out a way to post my swing on this site I would. My feel is that my hands control everything, anything else and I feel out of control. Regardless of our opinions I always love the dialog and if I didn't value your opinion I would not ask for it.
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> Thanks for the discussion and I look forward to more debate.
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> Respectfully,
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> Coach C
> >
> Coach C,
I agree 100%, the hands do everything... except provide the power to hit the ball. they do provide torque, but their main job is to stay
in touch with the eyes for constant feedback(eye hand coordination). once you have your swing down reasonably, then hitting the ball becomes the function of INTENTION. enjoy reading your posts, be well.