Posted by: tom.guerry (tom.guerry@kp.org) on Mon Dec 8 20:36:29 2003

Tom,
>
> I agree one of the absolute keys (difference in good pro vs amateur) is the
ability to lock the hands to the shoulder turn at the start of the swing. However,
in Gonzalez case (and many others) I do not see independent hand action at
this point in the swing. To me the bat head is travelling in a logical arc caused
by the fact that it is locked in place.
>
> Using scap load as a way to create the lock? Is there a physiological
principle at work here or something else?
>
> Nick
>

Nick-

Not just lock hand to shoulder,but continue loading until the launch
sequence(drop and tilt,etc.)interrupts and reverses/uncoils torso while
bathead prepares to fire out of the arc of the handpath quickly.

I think there is a mechanical/kinesiological principle at work.Same back arm
sequence as in loading for the overhand throw.The back arm is prepared by
internal rotation and scap pinching,then it stays back vs the shoulder via
external rotation as the back elbow slots.

Upper and lower body actions are mapped and connect/originate from the
center(hips/waist) out.Seuence is:

Front leg and back arm internally rotate together.hip cocks,hand/bat hitch.

Back scap loads and front leg abducts while staying internally rotated/
showing sole as back scap loads.Hands cock/bat centers.

Front leg and back arm externally rotate together to twist/coil into toe touch as
the back elbow slots,or as Jack would say,rotate the front heel/rotate the
bathead.Bat begins acceleration toward catcher/THT.Hip stays cocked,back
scap stays loaded,tophands does not get away from back shoulder.

Then you are ready for launch sequence to interrupt load so torso turn and
tight connection start handpath perpendicular to ball flight.

Lugo has the more horizontal arm action/load.Bonds (Aaron)more
vertical.Delgado is an excellent example of the high hands approach.Still all
show the same sequence/synchronization.Lugo does not keep the hand back
quite as well as bonds or delgado as I look across multiple clips.

a nice example of Bonds is from setpro stupid is as stupid does thread:

http://www.setpro.com/stuff/bondsbbscout1.mov