Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Tue Apr 3 23:58:43 2007

Sam, simply put, Guru is just plain wrong. Advance the fence drill clip --
http://firstpickclub.com/video/fencedrill.mpg – forward to the frame where the bat-head enters the contact zone. Note (1) That the batter must pull his hands completely across his body to miss the fence. Note (2) That the bat is dragging through the contact zone and does not accelerate until it is sweeping past the pitcher.

When we were taping hitters for our new “Swing Analysis DVD”, we had some really good hitters actually try hitting pitched balls while doing the fence drill. It got so bad that the batters started laughing at themselves while trying to hit the ball. One of the them who consistently hit balls 450 feet earlier, completely missed the first 4 or 5 balls and never got one to the outfielders.

Guru, I do believe everyone has a right to his or her opinion. However when someone post advice I know to be counterproductive, I question whether my allowing it on this site is in the best interest of the reader. – I understand you have your own site. From now on, I suggest you promote the “fence drill” and “knob to the ball” there instead of here – In fact, I not only suggest – I insist.

Jack Mankin