Posted by: The Hitting Guru () on Fri Jan 5 11:19:10 2007

> My daughter, a high school fastpitch player, has started putting her thumbs on the side of the bat handle, much like you do on your golf grip, but she isn't overlapping the fingers. I told her to stop but she said her coach says a lot of people do it. I've never seen it. Has anyone seen it and if so has anyone seen it work? I'm thinking a sprained thumb is going to happen from the force of the ball hitting the bat if she's late on the pitch.
> Thanks,
> Bobo

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That Grip might be desired in slow pitch softball.

I happen to have book "Rod Carew's Art and Science of Hitting". In that book the goal is to have the hitter hold the bat in his fingers rather than his palm. As such what that couch my be alluding to is that the the hands should be relaxed. But the grip tightens when the hitter is preparing to actually swing. I would side with you on the issue regarding the coach.