Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Sun Aug 12 10:51:57 2001

>>> Jack, I have read and fully understand your concepts.

But (I think) the application of torque has caused a problem in my swing. I feel like I am breaking down as a hitter.

My teammates are telling me I am uppercutting terribly and that my back shoulder is dropping. I am popping everything up or just striking out.

This has all happened after I have tried to use torque and rotation in my swing and have better rotational mechanics.

Is there a possible reason and solution to this problem? What's wrong? Please help me! <<<

Hi Person

One of the defining characteristics of a great hitter is the early development of bat-head speed in their swing. This is generated from a mechanic I termed, “top-hand-torque” where the batter keeps their bottom-hand fairly stationary near the armpit to serve mainly as a pivot point. The bat-head is then accelerated in an arc back toward the catcher as the batter pulls back with the top-hand.

In my instructional video, I demonstrate how effective the mechanic can be in generating great bat speed. I also show the perils a batter can get into if done incorrectly. When done correctly, (1) the bottom-hand stays back as (2) the top-hand applies a pulling force that accelerates the bat-head into the intended plane of the swing.

Real problems occur when the batter does not adhere to those two main points.
(1). Most hitters have a natural tendency to extend the hands forward at initiation. This will cause many problems with rotational mechanics and is even a graver problem when applying top-hand-torque. For reasons I have explained in the video (and on the discussion board), serious bio-mechanical wrist binds occur that results in a loss of bat speed and forces the bat out of its true contact plane when the wrist is not allowed to rotate within the normal range of movement.

(2). As I mentioned above, the bat-head must be accelerated into the plane of the swing when applying top-hand-torque. Serious bio-mechanical wrist binds also occur when the batter accelerates the bat-head back in a more vertical plane that cuts down through the swing plane. And it should be obvious that if the batter accelerates the bat-head back toward the catcher on a more vertical plane at the start of his swing, he will have a “looping uppercut” in the contact zone.

One of the main reasons I request a frontal view of the batter (from the pitcher’s mound) for Swing Review Analysis is to check the batter’s swing plane at initiation. Regardless of what position or angle the batter holds the bat in his ready position, the bat must be brought inline with the lead-arm at initiation. The lead-arm should always be the plane of the swing from initiation to contact. The batter has a real problem if the bat starts above and then falls below the line (or plane) of the lead-arm.

Person, if you are serious about your swing, you would be ahead of the game by ordering my Instructional Video and a Swing Review.

Jack Mankin