Posted by: Jack Mankin (mrbatspeed@aol.com) on Thu Dec 25 21:01:41 2003

>>> If you've missed judged a pitch and your bathead will be through the strike zone before the ball gets there you can extend the hands to meet the ball out in front of the plate. that's one big advantage to the rotational swing... if you are timing pitches with the hand extention already calculated into your swing then you've used up one of your swing variables. it's not a variable, it's a constant. Plus extending the hands will slow the swing down and help reach the ball on time. Rich <<<

Hi Rich

You make a very good point. What you described is the swing mechanics used by some high average hitters. But hitters that hit for both average and power will normally only extend the hands when fooled on the pitch. Below is a post from the archives on the topic.
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Re: Re: Re: full extension
Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com on Wed Jan 16 11:06:44 2002

>>> JACK WOULD YOU THINK THAT SOME WHO ARE SWINGING ROTATIONAL YET COMING OUT OF L ARE MAKING ADJUSTMENTS FOR INITIAL TIMING ERRORS AND START EXTENDING LINEAR TO KEEP BARREL IN LINE WITH BALL LONGER ,SOMEHOW TIED IN WITH THE MOTOR PROGRAMING OF THE BRAIN TO DO WHAT IT NEEDS TO, TO GET THE FAT PART OF BAT ON BALL.tHIS MAY NOT BE OPTIMAL BUT COULD BE THE ADJUSTMENT IN MID SWING TO MAKE HARD CONTACT. <<<

Hi RQL

Yes, there are some very good hitters that start their swing rotational and finish with more linear mechanics. I think Tony Gwynn is a good example. Tony not only has good shoulder rotation at the start of his swing, he also applies a moderate amount of tht. But the forces he applies at initiation causes shoulder rotation to slow and he finishes with a more linear extension of the hands. --- So Tony develops good early bat speed but then his hands extends eliminating the "hook" and reducing BHT. This greatly reduces power but allows the bat-head to remain longer in the contact zone. Therefore, Tony would seldom have the "L" at contact except when swinging for more power.

I also wanted to point out that back-arm should be in the "L" position (for maximum power) for balls hit more 'straight-away'. For 'pulled balls', the back-arm will normally need to extend further and back-elbow moves further out of the slot and "L" position. --- When working with the bag I want the hitter to have his bat perpendicular (to the balls line of flight) at contact. So I am always looking for the true "L" position.

Jack Mankin