Posted by: Jim (jwelborn@lexcominc.net) on Mon Jan 1 18:52:13 2007

> Hi All
>
> Happy New Year.
>
> Last month I posted; “We are currently developing subjects to be covered in our Video Analysis DVD & Program. One of the topics is “Debunking Linear Cues.” So far, I have listed 12 linear batting cues that have stalled batters’ progress for decades. In order to be as accurate as possible, it would be helpful to have your input on the “intent” of these linear cues.”
>
> As the first example, we discussed, “Don’t hit around the ball.” – What is the intent of this cue? – Some replied that the cue was meant to remind a batter not to “cast.” – Well, it just so happens that “casting” is one of the 12 linear batting cues addressed in “Debunking Linear Cues.”
>
> For decades, the original intent of all batting cues followed one basic theme – “Straight is good – curved is bad.” The hands should be extended straight “A to B” (the shortest distance between two points is a straight line). If the hands followed a circular path, they were “casting.” Batters were told that casting the hands into a circular path produced a long slow swing.
>
> I think most now agree that video analysis of the game’s best hitters debunks the “A to B” hand-path theory. An over head view of a great hitter reveals a series of accelerating arcs, similar to looking down at the eye of a hurricane. – Rotating around a still head is the shoulders. A little farther out is the arc of the limbs and then the hands. On the outside is the “Final Arc”– the bat-head accelerating around to contact.
>
> However, old linear cues die hard. They are so engrained into many coaches batting terminology that they just can’t let them go. Instead, they try to re-define the cues from their original intent to fit what video analysis reveals. In most cases, re-defining the cues is like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole – it still just doesn’t seem to fit.
>
> Jack Mankin


What I see as “casting” is an incorrect movement of the forearms and wrists during the first phase of hand torque. As has been discussed, the first phase of THT is caused by the lowering of the back elbow with torque being transmitted to the bat through a rigid top wrist. If during this first phase the batter begins to force the bat head with the forearms and wrists, he is casting.

I have noticed that the caster tends to swing with weak or incomplete hip rotation, relying heavily on upper body and arms to move the bat. This lends credence to the notion that the caster produces a long slow swing.

The caster also has difficulty adjusting to outside strikes due to the fact that the bat head becomes too far advanced too early in the swing.

Jim