Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Wed Dec 28 19:47:33 2005

>>> From Jack's research, he's concluded that adding torque to your swing will maximize your bat speed-most notably bottomh-hand torque. He's explained that BHT is caused by the front shoulder rotating around, and back toward the catcher. THT is caused by a higher back elbow being pulled down to the side at the beginning of the swing. But I still haven't been able to figure out what causes pre-launch torque, and how to perform this certain move. Anyone? Jack? <<<

Hi Dougdinger

Hitters like Bonds, Sosa, and Sheffield that have the bat head cocked forward in their stance, use pre-launch torque (PLT) to accelerate the bat-head back to the launch position (behind their head) before the swing is fully initiated. Since this action takes place before shoulder rotation is initiated, it is accomplished mainly with the arms and wrist. But before discussing PLT mechanics, I think it is important that batters first understand the mechanics of top-hand-torque (THT) and why it is found in the swings of the best hitters.

When a batter keeps the hands at the back-shoulder as shoulder rotation is initiated, the hands are flung into a circular path. This causes the bat-head to accelerate from the launch position (behind the head) rearward toward the lag position – This will occur if the direction of force of the top-hand does not restrict this rearward acceleration. Look at the following clip for a demonstration -- http://www.batspeed.com/media/THTHigh.wmv

Since it is the natural tendency of the bat-head to first rotate rearward as shoulder rotation is initiated, for the top-hand to aid in that rearward acceleration of the bat-head, it must be pulling rearward on the handle. Pulling rearward with the top-hand (THT) keeps the rotation of the bat connected with body rotation. – Driving the top-hand forward during initiation stalls the bat’s rearward rotation and disconnects it from body rotation.

Jack Mankin