Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Wed Jul 25 23:42:58 2001

>>> which will allow me to get more batspeed, my elbow back or with my hands in a low position with elbows inside of body width <<<

Hi Sam

Having the hands and elbows down and inside the width of the body is a weak launch position. The lead-arm should be across the chest so the lead-elbow will be inside the width of the body but not lowered so as to point toward the ground. It should be elevated to be in the approximate plane of the intended swing. The lead-arm and elbow should be in the plane of the swing through contact. A premature rolling of the wrist usually occurs if the lead-elbow falls below the plane before contact.

Great hitters have an elevated back elbow to be in a stronger position to apply top-hand-torque. This means they intend to pull the top-hand back toward the catcher as they initiate their swing. I find no value in a high back-elbow if the batter's mechanics drive the top-hand forward at the start of the swing. They would be better off with the elbow lowered closer to the batters side. But this does not mean the hands should be more in the center of the body. The hands should still be extended to near the back-shoulder. --- You will never find a great hitter with his hands in the middle of his chest and both elbows pointing downward at initiation. Some may assume a similar position in the stance, but they will acquire a much stronger position to launch their swing from.

Jack Mankin