Posted by: BHL (Knight1285@aol.com) on Fri Feb 13 22:57:08 2004

>>> Where you hit the ball is irrelevant to the cue "hit the inside of the ball". Where you try to hit it is everything.
>
> As compared to "trying" to hit the outside of the ball which is a major flaw in many amateur swings. <<<
>
> Hi Teacherman
>
> I am puzzled as to how the swing is supposed to be improved by concentrating on "hit the inside of the ball". To hit the inside of the ball, the bat-head must be trailing behind the hands in the contact zone. I just failed to see how trying to have the hands leading in the zone enhances the swing. --- I do see some negatives that would occur with this vision during initiation. That is a prescription for a linear hand-path.
>
> Jack Mankin
>
> Dear Jack,

I do not advocate linear inside the ball drills either. When I use the drill, I have both arms bent before I weathervane (i.e., my lead elbow works up). The lead elbow assures the body does not lunge, and ensures rapid shoulder rotation when done correctly. No matter how tight both elbows are bent, as long the same degree of bend remains in the elbows, no linear movement will occur. In other words, one should take the advice of Mike Schmidt Study, and prevent either arm from extending--or, for that matter, collapsing. Weathervaning and keeping both elbows bent will cause CHP, and, at the same time, give you the tightest radius possible.

Now, I know that you are going to argue, as you did in a post of "yesteryear," that individuals who use this model "are dead on middle-out pitches." Well, I must take exception to that logic. If the pitch is preceived to be outside, one can always use top-hand torque, straighten both arms, and, as you said in your first instructional tape, "go out wide and really cream the outside pitch."

Howewever, if the arm is straight, and perceive the pitch to be inside, there is a chance a Roger Clemmens will saw your bat off with an inside tailing fastball. Even on the DvD, John Elliot argues that the bat traveling in a wider arc generates more batspeed on the pitch away than the pitch in. That means on the inside pitch, being ready earlier is essential.

Hence, I would not begin with arm positions that cater to the middle-out pitch, when good pitchers try to jam batters (i.e, Al Leiter) continuously. My advice is this: do the fence drill to attain the tightest CHP possible, then go out wide for an outside pitch, rather than looking to "sweep," and being busted right underneath the hands.

Sincerely,
BHL
Knight1285@aol.com

P.S. Your thoughts Jack?