Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Wed Feb 8 21:41:27 2006

>>> Hello Jack. With regard to maximum extension (follow through in the swing), do you believe it can be attained to the opposite field if the player keeps both hands on the bat?

I have noticed that some current top hitters (A-Rod, Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz take one hand off the bat in hitting to the opposite field with power (though that is there natural finish).

Ted believe Williams said he did not use the Green Monster to maximize his power, but instead choose to pull the ball or center the outside pitch for the most part.<<<

Hi Guru

I would say it depends on the batter’s mechanics. Some keep the hands in and use an inside-out swing to hit to the opposite field. With this type of swing, both arms remain bent and generates limited bat speed. I see no problem with these batters keeping both hands on the bat during the follow-through.

Rotational mechanics can cream outside pitches to the opposite field. However, the bat’s momentum is then directed more to right field as the back arm straightens. As the arms reach full extension the wrist role causing the bat-head to snap around. This an result in a hard jerk on the wrist and arms when the batter attempts to keep both hands on the bat. By releasing the top-hand the lead-arm can coast-out the bat’s momentum in a much wider arc.

Jack Mankin