Posted by: Jack Mankin (mrbatspeed@aol.com) on Sat Jul 24 00:35:00 2004

>>> maybe you are getting closer when you add "and balance procedure" to "during the stride"...let me ask the question another way (and all i am doing is seeking clarification).....we both agree the swing takes about 4 frames.....therefore i think we can stipulate that the swing starts in frame # -4.....i have observed that the shoulder is still in with most mlb hitters at frame # -5 (one frame before the swing starts, 5 frames before contact)....my question to you is do you agree that at frame # -5 the shoulder can/is still in , or do you think by frame # -5 the shoulder is NOT still in? <<<

Hi grc

With your count, by #-5 frame, I assume you are referring to the frame before the swing is initiated. Yes, the lead-shoulder should still be adducted (shrugged) inward 45 to 60 degrees while in the launch position. At initiation (launch), the shoulders (including the lead-shoulder) start to rotate from hip and torso turn. However, this does not mean the lead-shoulder abducts (un-shruggs) at initiation. Most good hitters will not completely un-shrug the lead-shoulder to the 105 degree position until bringing the bat to contact – I guess that would be frame #0 by your count.

It is important to remember that the lead-shoulder rotates through 45 to 60 degrees more than the back-shoulder during a good rotational swing. The back-shoulder rotates around 90 degrees from hip and torso turn plus the 15 or so degrees it was adducted at launch. The lead-shoulder rotates the 90 degrees plus the 45 to 60 degrees the lead-shoulder abducts plus another 10 to 15 degrees it adducts to the 105 degree position.

I think it is more understandable to most coaches and players to simply say – the batter should in-ward shrug the lead-shoulder in the launch position and un-shrug it to the 105 degree position by contact.

Jack Mankin