Posted by: The Hitting Guru (hitman3527@aol.com) on Tue Jan 31 20:14:07 2006

> >>> Shawn. Thanks for your post, but I just do not see the uniform acceptance of a standard of how to hit. Similar is not close enough in my book. There is a dramatic difference in how Sammy Sosa hits, compared to Barry Bonds. Sammy Sosa does not use the top hand torc from what I have seen. He would be more similar to Albert Bell without the wrist roll. <<<
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> Hi Guru & All
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> The Guru states, “Sammy Sosa does not use the top hand torc from what I have seen.” – Let us look at a clip of Sosa (http://www.youthbaseballcoaching.com/mpg/sosa_sammy2.mpeg ). Frame forward 20 frames (bat vertical behind his head). Watch the bat-head the next 5 frames. To generate that rearward acceleration of the bat-head, would you say Sosa’s top-hand is pulling rearward on the handle with the fingers (THT), or driving forward with his palm? – You be the judge.
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> The Guru states. “There is a dramatic difference in how Sammy Sosa hits, compared to Barry Bonds.” -- Now, let us take a look at Bonds (http://www.youthbaseballcoaching.com/mpg/bonds600.mpeg ) Frame forward about 6 frames (bat behind his head). Watch the bat-head the next 5 frames. To generate that rearward acceleration of the bat-head, would you say Bonds is using basically the same transfer mechanics as Sosa? -- You be the judge.
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> For a better understanding of the role of THT in the swing, look at --http://www.batspeed.com/media/THTHigh.wmv
>
> Jack Mankin


Jack. Thanks for your response and pointing out where I need to look to get a more complete understanding of top hand torc. (I appreciate that.) But you failed to answer my original question directed to you regarding Babe Ruth. Please do so at your earliest convenience. I thank you in advance for answering my question.