Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Sun Sep 4 10:36:33 2005

>>> Jack, I think I am clear on what top hand torque CAN do. What I am unclear with is where McGwire applies this torque.

Also, it has been noted that McGwire swung that bat at 99 MPH, at times. Barry Bonds also swung the bat in the upper 90s, as did Sosa. If all three players swung the bat at roughly the same speed (with McGwire the most), and only the two slightly lesser speeds DID feature pre launch torque, then really how much does this technique help? Suppose McGwire applied pre launch torque as effectively as Sosa or Bonds. Would his bat speed be in the 130s, if pre launch torque is as influential as you say it is? I find this hard to believe. <<<

Hi BB

First of all, I do not encourage my students to use pre-launch torque. I have found that applying THT at initiation from the normal launch position produces great bat speed. I also found many pitfalls could occur while attempting to sweep the bat-head from a cocked forward position cleanly into the swing plain.

With that being said, I have often asked myself – then why are so many of today’s best hitters cocking the bat-head forward out of the swing plane and using PLT?

I think the key to answering my question is to remember that none of these hitters were ever taught to first accelerate the bat-head rearward by pulling back with the forearm and top-hand. Their normal instincts and what they were taught would have the top-hand driving forward. However, if they cocked the bat-head forward, before they could initiate the swing, they must first pull the bat head rearward to the launch position.

Probably through trial-and-error, a few discovered that continuing to pull the top-hand rearward during initiation (shoulders starting to rotate) produced the greatest results. Therefore, I have concluded that probably the greatest benefit of hitters practicing PLT is that it has led some to effectively apply THT in their swings.

Jack Mankin