Posted by: BHL (Knight1285@aol.com) on Fri May 14 22:24:04 2004

Hi Jack,

I am eager to hear your opinion of having a batting swing in the following manner. However, for the purposes of being precise with the information, I need to outline the entire contact position presented in "The Final Arc II" booklet. For these purposes, I hope that Jack allows me to re-present the material with the purpose of establishing a final physiological objective.

Returning to the topic at hand, the "Final Arc" recommends the following contact position (Mankin 3):

1) Hips and shoulders face the pitcher
2) Arm still across chest
3) Lead arm pulled towards catcher--105 degrees
4) Back forearm lowering towards horizantal--pointing towards pitcher
5) Lead leg fully extended--back leg forms "L" position
6) Back elbow at the side in classic "L" position

In order to reach these goals, though, the batter must produce a swing capable of bringing the body to that desired position. Therefore, the first step towards these ends would be to open the front foot slightly more than 45 degrees while twisting the shoulders back to "hide the hands." Also, it is imperative that the batter land on the "ball of the front foot."

Once in that position, the batter initiates the swing by thinking about squishing the bug on the front foot and spinning the back hand around the front hand simultaneously. (In actuality, the former will occur a split instant before the latter). Although the front foot is opened only 45 degrees to prevent the premature opening of the front shoulder, when the bug under the front foot is squished, it will have opened 90 degrees, and the batter will be initiating a swing from a powerful position.

Eventually, after practicing many hours, he will be able to duplicate the recommended contact position on page 3.

I am interested in your thoughts Jack, so please respond as soon as possible.

Sincerely,
BHL
Knight1285@aol.com

P.S. Although I entertain the propect of torque occuring throughout the swing, I am still skeptical as to whether it does or not. The model presented assumes it does.

One more thing. If you have any objection to material being borrowed from your book, please e-mail me, and address the reasons why.

Best of luck to all!