Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Fri Dec 7 14:03:31 2001

>>> Can somebody please explain to me how squashing the bug and hitting an outside pitch can be accomplished. If you squash the bug, won't your hips be turned over to the third base side? How is it possible to take the pitch to right field?

In my opinion you do not rotate the hips nearly as much to hit an outside pitch. You sort of push the bat, leading with the knob. Inside pitch you definetly use rotational mechanics/circular hand path. But outside pitches are hit differently.
Of course I know others will come along and try to explain that by using "tophand torque" mechanics you hit the outside pitch THE SAME as an inside pitch. But anyway, that's my opinion based on the facts. <<<

Hi HitMan

I am afraid you have been reading the wrong ‘facts.’ The main reason the bat-head lags behind on outside pitches is due to the lack of torque applied while extending the knob at the ball. A batter obtains maximum outside plate coverage when the bat becomes perpendicular to the ball’s flight – less when the bat lags or exceeds perpendicular. In order to bring the bat closer to perpendicular on outside pitches, more torque must be applied earlier in the swing.

Donald, I would agree that lower-body mechanics that open the hips to wide too early in the swing could restrict the batters’ ability to develop power on outside pitches.

Jack Mankin