Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Thu Dec 23 11:34:09 2004

>>> I've been experimenting{utilizind the heavy bag,batting tee] on increasing bat speed by the application of THT. By seperating the hands on the bat 1-2 inches, bat speed increased about 10%. I understand Ty Cobb did this with success. Are there any problem with this approach for slow-pitch soft ball? Merry Christmas! <<<

Hi Bobby

A very Merry Christmas to you as well. Bobby, there are two forces acting on the bat to generate bat speed: (1) The transfer of the body’s rotational energy that comes from taking the hands in a circular path (CHP - like swinging a ball around on a string). (2) Torque, is applied at the handle from the push/pull action of the forearms (through the hands).

One of the keys to good transfer mechanics is to apply torque at the handle without disrupting the free transfer of energy from the CHP. The greatest transfer occurs when the wrist serves as a free moving hinge where the bat rotates about a single point. Therefore, a better transfer occurs from the CHP when swinging the bat with one hand (single point). Swinging the bat with both hands applies force at two points, which allows torque to be applied but also restricts the CHP transfer. The wider the hands are spaced on the bat, the more leverage for applying torque but also the more you restrict the CHP transfer.

I would also add that tenseness of the arms and wrists also restrict CHP transfer. That is why great hitters have loose, smooth, ever accelerating movements. Great bat speed comes from mechanics that fling the hands into a circular path while applying torque throughout the swing with the least amount of tension.

Note: The mechanics taught to most hitters generates a straighter hand-path, which greatly diminishes the transfer of the body’s rotational energy. The batter then must rely mainly on torque to bring the bat-head to contact.

Jack Mankin