Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Mon Jan 1 23:30:47 2007

>>> 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. <<<

Hi Jim

I agree the hands should stay back close to the shoulder as THT is being applied. I am not clear with what you mean by; “If during this first phase the batter begins to force the bat head with the forearms and wrists, he is casting.” – In any case, I think you would agree that the original use of the cue “casting” had nothing to do with the correct way to apply THT. It was a cue used to remind the batter to extend the hands in a straight “A to B” path.

As I see it, here is the difference in your “definition” of casting and the “cue’s” version. Your definition would have the lead-forearm (and hand) staying close to the rotating shoulder which rotates the hands into a CHP. – The cue, do not “cast”, would have the batter extend his elbow and forearm toward the pitcher.

Jim, your definition of “casting” would be far more helpful in developing high level swings than the original intent of the cue. However, it may take a while before it is a widely accepted definition.

Jack Mankin