Posted by: Jack Mankin (mrbatspeed@aol.com) on Wed May 12 21:24:52 2004

>>> Is it good to have a little uppercut in your swing. <<<

Hi Mike

Welcome to the site. Yes, it good to have a little uppercut in your swing. Below are a couple Batspeed articles what should explain why.

Jack Mankin

Truism or Fallacy
Rethinking Old Baseball Hitting Theories

"Swing Down At the Ball"
I am sure it is quite obvious to everyone that if the bat head starts above the batters head and makes contact at his knees, the bat must have been swung downward sometime during the swing. The problem is, to many coaches think "swing down at the ball" means the bat is still on a downward angle when it strikes the ball (as in the Two-Tee Drill). They would contend that hitting down on the top of the ball results in the ball leaving the bat with more backspin. Note: A ball with backspin will carry farther. --- But, when I recall my old pool shooting days, I seem to remember I more often hit the bottom half of the ball when I needed backspin.
One of my main concerns with having the bat angling downward in the contact zone is the problem it would cause in making consistent contact. Most players have enough trouble making contact when the path of their bat is inline with the path of the ball. This way, if their swing is a little early, they will pull the ball. If they are a little late, they will hit it to the opposite field. The timing would need to be near perfect to make contact if the bat is just passing down through the path of the ball.
Swing level
I think most coaches would agree that the bat should pass through the contact zone in a "level" position. But some may offer different views if we were to ask; "level in reference to what?" --- An 85 MPH fastball is angling downward (in reference to the plate) at about an 11 degrees as it passes through the contact zone. Therefore, should the batter swing level with the path of the ball, or level with the plate?
During the swing a hitter's body will be slightly leaning away from the pitcher (front leg straight, back leg bent). This places the rotational plane of his hips and shoulders angling upward at about 10 to 15 degrees. Once again, should the swing be level with the rotational plane of the body - or the plate? --- Or, would you still think the bat should be angling downward in relation to the plate?
Which of the following most closely describes Mark McGwire's swing at contact?
1. Bat angling downward 10 to 15 degrees
2. Level with the plate
3. Angling upward 10 to 15 degrees

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Think of the plane of the swing as being a flat disc that is tilted down toward the plate so as to intersect the path of the ball in the contact zone. The bat, lead-arm and shoulders should all be in that plane from initiation to contact. You may have the bat more vertical while in your stance, but the bat must drop into the plane of the lead-arm when shoulder rotation begins.

Since the shoulders are rotating on a tilted plane (not horizontal to the ground), the back-shoulder will begin (from the inward turn position) higher and rotate to a lower position as the lead-shoulder starts lower and is rotating upward. You should not have to think about lowering the back-shoulder, it should happen automatically as you rotate if your launch position is correct.

Keeping the lead-arm (including the elbow) in the plane of the swing is an absolute MUST. That means the lead-elbow MUST always remain pointing into the plane of the swing. If the lead-elbow lowers (or drops) down out of the plane before contact -- the swing is ruined. The wrist will start to roll too soon and the bat-head will come out of the intended plane. This will normally cause inconsistent contact and usually results in weak grounders or pop-ups.