Posted by: BHL (Knight1285@aol.com) on Wed Mar 23 17:10:37 2005

> > > > Hi Marcus:
> > > >
> > > > Let me elaborate on our discussion somewhat. I now believe that, irrespective of if one is a PFO or not, he or she should not choke the bat. The following link will tell you why: http://www.kettering.edu/~drussell/bats-new/grip.html
> > > >
> > > > I hope you enjoy reading the study!
> > > >
> > > > BHL
> > >
> > > BHL,
> > >
> > > I will check that out when I have more time. Thanks for the reading material. I have always personally felt that a person should reduce bat weight rather than choke up. Greater bat length equals more leverage, so to speak. This is true, of course, when there's a circular hand path. I guess bat length wouldn't matter as much for a more linear hitter. A linear hitter doesn't achieve as much angular displacement, so added distance to the end of the bat from the hands wouldn't benefit him or her as much as it would a hitter with a circular hand path.
> > >
> > > I'll check out the link. Take care!
> > >
> > > Marcus
> >
> > Hi Marcus:
> >
> > I'll amend my statement by saying that, at contact, the hands do not "clamp" the bat. Ergo, theories stating a weak grip allows more "give" on the bat should be brought into question. In fact, only one study reported that a choke grip results in more power--and the design of that experiment was proven faulty.
> >
> > Sincerely,
> > BHL
> > Knight1285@aol.com
> >
> > P.S. I agree with you--choking the bat, or choking up on the bat, both produce sub-optimum results.
>
> BHL,
>
> Oh, I'm sorry. I misunderstood and thought you were speaking of "choking up" on the bat. I still haven't had a chance to read that article, but all I have is my past experience regarding this subject. I taper the handle of my bat so that I can comfortably (my preference) hold the knob in the palm of my right (bottom) hand. My pinky doesn't really drop completely off the knob...it's actually on the knob. I have a lot of play in the index finger / thumb of my top hand. I grip somewhat firmly with the bottom hand and the ring finger and pinky of the top hand (which isn't very firm since that's the weak part of one's hand). As I reach the "hook in the hand path" Jack speaks of, I find that the looseness of my top hand's index finger and thumb allows the bat head to arc out a little farther with the correct palm up / palm down contact position.
>
> Like I said, it's not scientific, but since I've started doing this, I've had just a little extra "pop" on the ball. I wonder if this is the "whippy" feeling some people describe right before contact? I agree with Jack, though, that thinking of hitting as the crack of a whip messes up a circular hand path.
>
> How would you describe your grip? I only ask this because for a hitter to hit a softball 320+ feet, he's got to have some good mechanics all the way from the beginning, including grip, in my opinion.
>
> Marcus

Hi Marcus:

I apply regular finger pressure to the bottom hand, and a real loose top-hand grip, the way Mankin recommends. This way I can have the bat accelerate through the hitting zone with maximum velocity, and, in my case, pull every pitch.

Regards,
BHL
Knight1285@aol.com

P.S. What was the smallest guy that you have seen hit a ball 320+ feet consistently? Were there any guys at 5'9," 140 lbs. accomplishing this feat? I would not be surprised, the way hitting mechanics have improved today, if there were.