Posted by: tom.guerry (tom.guery@kp.org) on Mon Oct 20 14:59:41 2003

Melvin-

My interpretation of the theory is that by "loading" is meant stabilizing the shoulder complex/putting the associated muscles on stretch so they are prepared to efficiently permit transfer of energy through this segment of the chain.

In the case of throwing,the throwing elbow is lifted and the shoulder blade is pinched toward the spine to create a stable configuration.In the case of hitting,the back scap is loaded by pinching it a little more against the spine than in throwing because the back arm is usually not lifted quite as much.I think this is a very important part of "forming the box" so that you use the shoulders/arms/hands in a way that permits good loading and umloading without bat dragging/disconnection.The main thing you see on video with a good back scap load/pinch is the bat cocking mostly toward the pitcher and the back arm/elboe extending behind the back.This needs to happen prior to the back elbow rotating down toward the slot as the bat starts to "uncock" and the lead foot turns open a little.