Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Mon Jan 8 19:32:36 2001

>>>what are the differances between top and bottom hand torque? does one lead the other in the swing or do they start at the same time. thanks <<<

Hi kac

Great hitters are constantly applying torque to the bat from initiation to contact. So both hands are involved in a push-pull relationship throughout the swing. But during initiation and again at contact, one serves more as a pivot point for the other hand to pull the bat-head around.

During initiation, the bottom hand remains fairly fixed near the batter’s armpit and acts as a pivot for the top hand to pull the bat-head back toward the catcher (Top-hand-torque). --- By the time the hands enter the contact zone, the roles will have reversed. The top hand now serves as the pivot point for the bottom hand to pull the bat-head to contact. (Bottom-hand-torque). Similar to oaring a boat - left hand pulling on the right side oar and the right hand acting as a moving oarlock.

Although one hand or the other is acting as a pivot, it does not mean the hand is motionless. The rotation of the body is constantly bringing the hands around to the contact zone.

Jack Mankin