Posted by: Jack Mankin (mrbatspeed@aol.com) on Thu Mar 4 20:04:00 2004

>>> I can say for sure that I first gained my present understanding of what I call scap loading from Nyman, probably about 1999-2000 time frame. However, there is also the possibility I misunderstood what he was saying (wouldn’t be the first time). Also, it is not intended to contradict your statement that you described it with different words. This could very well be the case.

I have put a few clips up. Unfortunately, I do not have a great back side view of Mac. But I do of Piazza, Gwynn and Juan Gonzalez. So we are clear what I am calling scap loading: it is the pulling back of the back elbow. This pulling back impacts the scapula region of the shoulder. Gonzalez really exemplifies the move, while it is very subtle in the swings of Piazza, Gwynn and Mac. I think you could argue that Mac pre sets the position. Also, I would say it is a pre-launch movement that helps to link the hands and shoulders so they begin to rotate together.

http://webpages.charter.net/nickkio/ScapLoad/

I have no access to the SetPro boards, so Paul will have to step in if his definition is different or he cares to expand on this. <<<

Hi Nick

You stated, “So we are clear what I am calling scap loading: it is the pulling back of the back elbow. This pulling back impacts the scapula region of the shoulder.” The first video I made describing top-hand-torque was in 1992. I used the analogy of an archer pulling back on the bowstring to explain how the batter pulls back on the bat with the top-hand (and arm) to accelerate the bat-head back toward the catcher.

Paul and I had many good discussions about our batting principles long before we opened our own sites. When I first opened the Batspeed discussion board in May of 1999. No one, and I mean no one, including Paul, would believe that the batter should first accelerate the bat-head back toward the catcher by pulling the top-hand back at initiation. If, at that time, Paul had known that “scap loading” (as used in pitching) accelerated the bat-head back toward the catcher, his post at setpro regarding THT would have had a very different tone.

One of the first to post a positive statements on the Batspeed board regarding the principles of THT was Tom Querry. It was years later before he started using “scap loading” instead of THT in his post.

Jack Mankin