Posted by: Jack Mankin (mrbatspeed@aol.com) on Wed Jul 28 12:31:43 2004

>>> I think the CHP is the basis of rotational mechanics...it's what it's all about. While rotating around the stationary axis (the spine), the circular hand path will hook as the front shoulder comes back around toward the catcher. This is what causes BOTTOM hand torque. It just happens naturally with good CHP.

TOP hand torque, on the other hand, is something good hitters develop AFTER developing a good CHP. It adds momentum to the bat head BEFORE bottom hand torque is even applied, meaning you have attained higher bat speed even before BHT starts.

PRE-LAUNCH torque is that finesse motion Jack describes just before initiation of the swing to add a slight "running start" to the THT that starts at initiation.

The way I see it (and Jack please correct me if I'm wrong) a mechanically sound rotational swing MUST PRODUCE AT LEST a circular hand path which will automatically produce BHT. This is the bare minimum of a rotational swing. Add THT properly and you have generated more bat speed with the same CHP and BHT. Add pre-launch torque, and you will generate yet more bat speed on top of THT.

Bottom line is this: you must have a good circular hand path FIRST. Trying to initate top hand or pre-launch torque won't help without a good circular hand path. <<<

Hi Marcus

Great post, you nailed it. The added bat speed generated from a hand-path with angular displacement is what allows rotational transfer hitters to develop greater power in their swing. Average hitters have a straighter hand-path and rely more on torque (driving the top-hand past the bottom-hand) to accelerate the bat-head.

As you pointed out, the key to a great swing is to add torque (THT & BHT) to a productive hand-path. However, few batters have ever experienced bat speed generated from the CHP alone – no torque involved. This is where practicing with a steering-wheel knob on the bat (eliminates torque from being applied) can really help. It gives the batter a good idea of the bat speed they are developing with their present hand-path. Most beginning students I tested generated only 5 to 15 mph by contact (heavy bag). A good hand-path by itself should produce 45 to 55 mph.

Jack Mankin