Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatSpeed@aol.com) on Sat Oct 16 16:19:35 2004

>>> Jack, I THINK you are equating the flail stuff with the "whip" theory, and of course I know you do not believe in the crack the whip stuff. Am I right in interpreting your remarks? The bat is a rigid object unlike a towel or something so I don't see how it can be "whipped". And also I have a question: if as Teacherman says tht bow arch and flail are all the same thing, the only difference being a matter of terminology, but Manny says they are 3 different things, who is right? I am familiar with your background (Jack) but none of the guys on my team have ever heard of Teacherman or Manny. No disrespect intended for Teacherman or Manny, it's just that you (Jack) have a reputation (a good one at that) whereas the other two gentlemen are not known in this neck of the woods. Thank you Jack.

Hi Martin

I thank you for your kind remarks. However, Teacherman does not believe torque applied at the handle is a factor in generating bat speed. Therefore, I doubt he would agree with your statement, “tht bow arch and flail are all the same thing.”

As far as the “whip” effect is concerned, my problem is more in the context it is used than the term itself. I have no problem describing bat acceleration from a CHP (or “flail”) as a “whip” effect. I do have a problem with Adair’s (and others) contention that the body’s linear momentum is transferred into bat speed by a “whip” effect as the hands (and body) slow to a near stop. Adair (and some coaches) believe this type of whip effect takes place with a linear (straight) hand-path. Many different tests have proved this theory to be false.

One coach used the example of what occurs when a goat running in a straight line reaches the end of a rope. He claimed that since the goat’s butt comes flying around, it proves that a “knob first” bat will also fly around when the hands stop. We did a test of this theory with a rigid bat – the bat-head did not fly around.

Note: I have never read a clear definition of “bow arch.” -- Maybe others can show me otherwise, but as I pointed out earlier, I see no difference in cause and effect between a CHP and flail.

Jack Mankin