Posted by: Shawn () on Wed May 19 18:10:50 2004

Hi Shawn
>
> For the most part, I agree with your statement except the following, “There's no evidence that THT supplies more batspeed or power. Since many hitters do not show significant THT in their timing mechanism. THT merely aids in overcoming inertia and is timed to the pitcher (pitched ball).” -- I would say that there is a vast amount of evidence to show that hitters applying THT generate a good deal more bat speed that the alternative – not to apply THT.
>
> I defined THT as the top-hand pulling back (with the fingers) during initiation as opposed to driving the top-hand forward (pressure in the palm). Applying THT at initiation accelerates the bat-head into the plane of the swing while the hands and knob remain closer to the back shoulder. I would say that 90+% of the hitters drive the top-hand (and knob) forward which accelerates the bat more lengthwise than attaining angular bat displacement. Driving the top-hand forward (as opposed to pulling back) also results in a straighter hand-path and thus less bat speed.
>
> Shawn, I would agree that THT (especially the pre-launch phase) is part of great hitters timing sequence. However, hitters who apply the mechanic efficiently also generate much greater bat speeds than those that initiate the swing driving the top-hand forward.
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> Jack Mankin
>

Hi,

I don't think there is any evidence either way. We have to assume one way or the other, meaning we have to assume that driving the hands forward results in lesser batspeed.

When I went from 72 mph to 88-90 mph with my batspeed the thing I changed the most was quickness. Ted Williams was correct IMO that quickness is the root to batspeed. It has more do to with how you use your body and muscles then what happens with the hands. Rotation makes it easier to attain higher batspeed, and since I'm a small guy attaining 88-90 mph with rotation and quickness and how I used my body is a good indication of what must happen to achieve batspeed. I cannot do it with my arms or hands alone.

Adding THT may or may not make it easier to achieve my batspeed. As I gave it no thought while swinging. I believe adding it will not change my batspeed or what I must do with my body and muscles to attain 88 mph. It might make timing easier or help with overcoming inertia. Merely using the hands more would not have created more batspeed in my swing, nor do I believe it would now. I don't have anything to measure my batspeed anymore.

We are talking about a small portion of the swing while talking about the hands and arms. Sheffield has strong arms and hands and uses them in his swing. He doesn't have the classic swing of quiet hands and just swinging.

I believe we are assuming that what happens with the hands makes the biggest difference, when I think it's how you use the body that makes the biggest difference. No one knows how to rotate well or they don't try to generate batspeed in their swing. Batspeed is just another part of hitting s ball. You can hit with any amount of batspeed 60 to 90 mph. Very few learn how to generate batspeed and hit a ball. They learn how to hit, but not how to generate batspeed.

There's more to it than just what happens with the hands alone.

Shawn