Posted by: T Olson (timolson@home.net) on Sun Dec 26 13:58:18 1999

I think that (the circular hand path) is what is created by keeping the elbow close to the side (and hands inside and staying close to the body as it turns. The rotation of the trunk is a circle--so keeping the hands from forward moving as a separate entity (and instead rotating with the trunk) makes them take a circular path and generate a centrifugal force on the bat (creating a tight arc). But when the chest opens toward the pitcher--I believe the hands can (and do) travel forward and away from the body starting at contact--especially on a middle-out pitch. If the hands continued to stay in the circular path too long--it would be difficult to get to those outside pitches.

If you notice Jack's example batter--his rear elbow seems to remain tucked until after impact--the very next frame is starts to extend out. My guess is that on an outside pitch--it breaks from the body a fraction earlier--and on an inside pitch a fraction later.

Maybe this is like a rock in a sling--a tight rotation needs to be kept until just around the release point.


""""It seems like not only is a circular handpath important,but one that arcs in a tighter curve as the swing progresses.""""
>
> I would be interested in other preliminary experiences others are having and the cues they are trying for teaching.