Posted by: Scott (stwinton@netzero.net) on Tue May 3 07:29:19 2005

> > > > >>> Put succinctly, here is my question: do you not feel that Bonds could perform the fence drill correctly (i.e., as described above), and still maintain a powerful circular hand path <<<
> > > >
> > > > Hi BHL
> > > >
> > > > Heavens no. Stop and think for a minute. Epstein’s wants the batter’s bellybutton about 18 inches from the fence for his drill. This means when a 34-inch bat becomes perpendicular with the fence, the knob is 16 inches inward past the bellybutton when the tip grazes the fence. Barry Bonds or not, with that handicap, he could not look much better than those poor kids doing the drill.
> > > >
> > > > Jack Mankin
> > >
> > > Hi Jack:
> > >
> > > The fence drill has benefited me, but, I see what you are getting at: it might impede the progress of others.
> > >
> > > In fact, three days ago, I watched "The Final Arc II" DVD yet again, and heard John Elliot advise Aaron and Julie to help assist lead shoulder pull and the circular hand path by keeping the lead arm across the chest, and flipping the back shoulder over with the back hand by pulling back.
> > >
> > > I think better advice might be the following: bar the lead arm across the chest, and flip the back palm up so it faces the sky immediately. By doing so, the bat will be lowered in a position immediately whereby it can benefit from the sweep of a circular hand path, and the lead shoulder pull.
> > >
> > > Feel free to agree / disagree with this new concept as well.
> > >
> > > Best Wishes,
> > > BHL
> > > Knight1285@aol.com
> > >
> > > P.S. I got accepted into the University of Connecticut's Ph. D. Program in English.
> >
> > ...barring and flipping are BAD...a top hand that slides under too soon will result a long, pop-up prone swing.
>
> Hi Jack and Scott:
>
> Scott, thanks for responding, but I disagree with you here.
>
> Jack, what are your opinions on flipping the back palm so that it faces the sky at the beginning of the sky?
>
> Best Wishes,
> BHL

Look at how long the palm is up with a good hitter...its up at about the time the bat head planes out, witch with good hitters just precedes contact...in real time its almost undetectable...just like the bat planing out, it real time its a fraction of a second...I think the luxury of slow-mo video is placing a false sense of importance on getting flat and under the flight of the ball prior to contact...the natural act of hitting will plane out the bat without a conscious effort to force it to happen. In fact, forcing this palm up, under techniques hinders good hitting…you may swing with more bat speed but you will be longer to the ball and more inconsistent.