Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Sun Mar 25 00:36:58 2007

>>> Dear, Batspeed Discussion Board

I am extremely confused by your frame-by-frame analysis of the swing.
I broke it down frame-by-frame, and listed my concerns.

Frame #A-Understood

Frame #B-"The hands are being pulled toward the back-shoulder" ok... "
(mainly by the top-hand pulling backward toward the catcher - "Pre-launch torque")" Wait? I thought you said the hands were going towards the back shoulder! I don't understand which direction you want me to move my hands.
"which causes the bat-head to starts its acceleration (sweep) from a more vertical position back toward its normal launch position behind the head." You say the top-hand is going towards the catcher. But then, how can the bat go towards the back of my head? Are you suggesting I move my hand in 50 different directions at once?

Frame C- "The hands are moving toward the back-shoulder causing the bat-head to continue accelerating back toward the launch position." Whatever happened to moving the top hand toward the catcher?

Frame D- "The back-elbow rises as the batter continues to accelerate the bat-head back toward the launch position by pulling the hands (mainly with the top-hand) toward the back-shoulder" Again, I can't understand what your saying my hands/arms/elbows should be doing. I was able to understand the rotation of the hips, lead-knee, and lead-shoulder, but everything else is a complete mystery to me.

Frame #E- The hands/arms/elbows are confusing me again.

Frame #1- "The back-elbow lowers toward the batter's side (slot) as the batter pulls back with the top-hand (THT)" Um, ok?

In the next part, you say that the swing is on auto-pilot. Seeing as i'm confused in Frame B, I can't possibly get into this position, or beyond.

I get the rotation aspect of the mechanics you preach, but I have no idea what to do with my hands/arms/elbows, at any point in the swing. <<<

Hi Andy

Frames A through E describe the pre-launch mechanics used by hitters like those Steve mentions in his post (Soriano, Bonds, Ortiz, Sheffield, et. al.). I would suggest you first understand how THT is applied from the normal launch position before cocking the bat toward the pitcher and attempting more advanced mechanics.

Andy I understand the concept of pulling the top-hand rearward instead of driving it forward goes against what we were taught – and even what feels natural. It appears my written description did not help much. Maybe this video clip - http://www.batspeed.com/media/THTHigh.wmv – of me demonstrating THT will help you comprehend it better.

Jack Mankin