Posted by: BHL (Knight1285@aol.com) on Sun Mar 6 23:33:54 2005

Hi Nick:

Please remember that the rotational swing is a "ground-up" mechanic. In order to apply optimum force to the bat, the gyrating front leg must rotate the front side of the torso, whereas the gyrating back leg must rotate the back side of the torso. This, in turn, will rotate the shoulders, and arms. The rotating arms, in turn, will spin both hands around each other, and provide power initiated through the kinetic chain by their corresponding foot / leg. These forces cause the bat to arc around the body.

Since acceleration increases over time, using the body to rotate the bat in reverse an additional 90 degrees will provide more force than a swing arcing just 90 degrees. Remember, that swings that arc 90 degrees (i.e., towards the pitcher) have less time to accumulate optimum force than swings that arc 180 degrees (i.e., starting to arc back towards the catcher, then arcing towards the pitcher).

Remember, that there are two important factors here: the effective use of the kinetic chain, and of geometry.

Sincerely,
BHL
Knight1285@aol.com

Note: I did not use the terms BHT or THT; yes, both hands do exert forces on the bat, but they are the result--not the cause--of using the kinetic chain properly. Pre-lauch torque could be much better approached in terms of plane geometry.