Posted by: Jon (jonwilliams@fuse.net) on Mon Feb 7 08:45:50 2005

Hey Jack, thanks for your previous reply to me concerning pre-launch torque. The previous post got a little muddled with the stuff from Art so I thought I would split my torque questions out into separate topics.

On PLT, I partially understood your explanations. Let me post a couple of your replies here:

"However, some hitters (like Sheffield) keep the bottom-hand fairly fixed at the back shoulder and use just the push/pull of the top-forearm and hand to cock the bat-head forward and then apply pre-launch torque. I have heard coaches say that only a powerful player like Sheffield could hit with that style. I disagree. I have demonstrated I could perform the mechanic using just one finger of the top-hand. Therefore, your calling it “more of a "drifting" movement” is closer to the truth. I refer to it as a “finesse” movement."

"You stated, “ Why would you want to create torque at this point, before the front heel has dropped and the swing has been initiated?” – The reason Bonds, Sosa and etc., apply pre-launch torque to accelerate the bat-head rearward prior to initiation is because an accelerated bat offers less resistance (inertia) during initiation than a static (still) bat. – Why would a runner with a running start have an advantage over a static runner?"

I'm a bit confused. What I'm confused about is this...is the PLT created by a rearward pull of the bat by the top hand (which starts the swing and moves the bat into the swing plane)? If so, that really wouldn't be "pre" launch would it? Or is PLT created by a top hand movement that pushes the barrel forward toward the pitcher a la Sheffield? It seems to me (and my non-scientific brain) that the Sheffield forward movement of the barrel could generate more bat speed at contact (if the timing of this movement were timed correctly). Is this the preferred method of creating PLT?

Thanks Jack.
Jon