Posted by: Roby () on Thu Jun 14 20:57:33 2001

>>> How much is generated with a back to center movement and how much is generated rotationally. I think Daniel explained it well by saying that you move your axis forward creating forward momentum and with that momentum acting forward and adding centrifugal force you initiate the rotation around the completed stationary axis that had forward momentum. In the case of Alex Rodriguez, he steps from back to center and there he goes rotational. The point I was making is that it seems to me that if you do this, rotate with power and complete the motion around the power "V" with the Lau one hand extension it might just be very effective not only on outside pitches but to compensate for the lack of proper timing on balls to the middle and off speed stuff. I have been disecting some video from baseball tonight on ESPN and some batters seem to be doing that when you look at it frame by frame.
> Roby <<<
>
> Hi Roby
>
> Studying the swings of the great hitters in frame-by-frame can really help to understand rotational mechanics. But Roby, keep in mind that both the "power V" position and releasing the top hand occur well after contact and the ball has long since let the bat. Neither generates energy for the swing. They are mechanics used in the coast-out phase of the swing. Letting go of the top hand allows the bat-head to coast-out in a wider arc when full shoulder rotation is not possible. But releasing the top hand on pitches from the middle-in where the shoulders can fully rotate is pointless.
>
> Jack Mankin
>

"But releasing the top hand on pitches from the middle-in where the shoulders can fully rotate is pointless."

I never saw it that way but agree with what you just said. In an effort to keep the swing short and to the ball and for simplicity of the actual at bat to take this approach to the ball makes perfect sense. I will adopt it and see how it goes.

Thanks Jack!