Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Sat Dec 16 00:39:57 2006

>>> I'd always defer to Gordie on the intent and use of the tool. I didn't hit in college, so I didn't use it for that purpose. The intent, however, is for it to be used on the front arm. It's not to keep the front arm to the body, but to keep the hands from looping out through the swing. I've hit with them on and it forces the hitter to throw his hands at the ball, rather than reach out. Don't know if he is still using it at St. Francis. He's won more games than any other coach in college history, so I trust him. Your point seems valid, though. <<<

Hi Michael

Welcome to the site. – I am sure that Gordie developed his vest with the best of intentions. However, regardless of the swing mechanics he wanted it to produce, using the vest as shown “will” keep the lead-elbow down at the batter’s side. As I point in my post above: “The lead-elbow must remain up in the swing plane during rotation” – that is an Absolute of a high level swing.” Forcing the lead-elbow to remain down at the batter’s side “will” lead to the premature rolling of the wrist (Wrist Roll) and other problems.

Let us study the Griffey clip again -- http://www.youthbaseballcoaching.com/mpg/Griffey01.mpeg – I pointed out in my first post why Gordie’s vest could be useful with back-side mechanics. How, let us concentrate on Griffey’s lead-side mechanics. Note the position of his lead-arm as he prepares to launch his swing. It is up across his chest and is almost straight – some might say it is “Barred” – some might also say he is guilty of “looping” his hands out into a CHP ”

I think you will agree that Griffey’s lead-arm position is not the position of the lead-arm shown on Gordie’s site. -- Gordie’s record shows he is a great coach. However Michael, I can assure you that a video analysis of his best hitters will reveal a lead-arm up in the plane like Griffey’s – not as shown on his site.

Jack Mankin