Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Sat Sep 22 01:30:21 2001

>>> I have a question. How should you hold your bat. should you hold it on your shoulder, hign above your head, with your elbow up, with it down, loose in your fingers, tight in ur fingers, what? <<<

Hi Mike

Sorry for the delayed response.

Mike, there is no set position to hold the bat while you are waiting for the pitch. The important thing is that you stay loose and have some rhythmic movement of the body, hands or maybe just rotate your knees or the bat-head in a small circle. Whatever movement you find that will release the tension in your arms, body and even the muscles in your neck and face. Good hitters are not ridged or motionless in their stance. --- Gripping the bat too tight also causes tension.

As the pitcher prepares to deliver the ball, you should prepare your launch position. Or in other words, you are bringing your body, arms, hands and bat into position to launch your swing from. Now the position becomes more critical, and I discuss all the areas you asked about (the grip, back-elbow position and etc.) in the many articles on the site. It would be well worth your time to read them. If there is something you do not understand or would like to discuss, please feel free to ask.

A good place to start might be "Swing Mechanics".

Jack Mankin