Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Tue Jan 18 13:13:40 2005

>>> My 12 year old son has been working with your system for about 6 weeks and I think has made great strides toward a rotational swing. One snag were having is his grip. He had a knuckle to knuckle grip with a low elbow in previous set up. Recently we changed this set up to a higher elbow because he got a better feel for top hand torque. However with the higher elbow the knuckle to knuckle grip might be making him wrap the bat too much around his head. It is very hard to keep the bat from wrapping around using this grip and a higher elbow. Try it for yourself. Should we change his grip to a more choked position. The reason he uses the knuckle to knuckle is because that is what everyone has taught and it became natural for him. We are close to getting a video of his swing together and sending it to you for an analysis, but would like to be clear about the grip and set up first.

Thanks
Jaime Cerrato <<<

Hi Jaime

Mb makes a good point regarding the grip at impact alignment. Many batters though, have a problem maintaining that alignment as the back-elbow is elevated. Below is a post from the Archives that discusses that issue. Also read the thread on “Knuckle alignment” below this thread.

Jack Mankin
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Re: re: hand position/bat speed/science fair project
Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com on Tue Jan 4 14:26:41 2005

hey all! i'm doing a science fair project about bat speed. the question i'm asking is "how does hand position on a softball bat affect your bat speed." I was wondering if any of you have any imput on which hand position (i'm testing 2 different ones the first is how most coaches have taught me when your middle knuckles are lined up.) the second i'm testing (the kuckles farthest away on ur left hand are lined up with your middle knuckles on your right hand- for right handed batters that is) which of those 2 would work the best and why. if you have any input on which hand position you think would work best and why that would be great could you please email me at hmbgirl2002@yahoo.com
~Kristen

Hi Kristen

When we describe the alignment of the knuckles, we should also consider what effect that alignment has on the wrists and forearms during the swing. When the batter keeps the wrist fairly straight, the lining up of the middle knuckles cause the forearm to be separated by only 15 to 30 degrees.

This 15 to 30 degree angle between the forearms is fine for a good contact position. The angle also presents little problem in the launch position for batters who initiate the swing with the back-elbow lowered to their side. However, what about batters who elevate the elbow 70 to 90 degrees up from their side? This launch position has the forearms separated 120 to 150+ degrees.

Obviously, if the middle knuckles are kept aligned, each wrist must be flexed (or abducted) 50+ degrees to allow the forearms to separate 130+degrees. – In conclusion, we want the wrist straight at contact with a small angle separating the forearm. To maintain the same knuckle alignment and still accommodate the elevated elbow, the batter must allow the wrist the flex and un-flex during the swing (ala Barry Bonds).

Most batters however, choose to keep the wrist straighter and allow the top-hand to rotate around the handle to accommodate the elevated elbow. By keeping a loose grip, the top-hand can rotate back to a good position (middle knuckles aligned) at contact.

Jack Mankin