Posted by: drsakka (drsakka@lava.net) on Wed Apr 17 12:34:03 2002

>>>I just wanted to know if anyone has any good drills or tips to help players from dropping their top hand below their bottom hand when swinging.this seems to cause endless popups or dribbling ground balls.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > thanks
> > > > > I'm not clear on any drills but I really emphasize that the bat head stays above the hands all the way until contact at which point hands and bat head should be even, parallel with the ground. With back of top hand facing down to the ground and the back of bottom hand facing up. I've seen a dramatic improvement in my son once he started to do this. Line drives, line drives, line drives.
> > > >
> > > > Folks
> > > >
> > > > No hitter of any consequence hits as described in the previous passage. More like outs, outs, outs.
> > > >
> > > > Melvin <<<
> > > >
> > > > Hi All
> > > >
> > > > I would have to agree with Melvin. --- At contact, the hands are normally about belt high. If the bat-head is around knee high, it should be obvious the bat is angling downward (30 to 45 degrees). This means the bat-head is around 12 to 18 inches lower than the hands on low pitches. If the bat-head were up at the hands level (or parallel to the ground), the batter would miss the ball by a foot.
> > > >
> > > > Dan, a hitter may have a problem of dropping their top hand too soon, but the top-hand must be below the bottom-hand at contact for pitches below the belt. Dropping the top-hand too soon is usually an indication of being too top-hand dominant. Have the batter practice keeping the back-forearm in a more vertical position longer (not dropping to horizontal too early), and rely more on the lead shoulder and arm (bottom-hand-torque) as he initiates the swing.
> > > >
> > > > Jack Mankin
> > > >
> > > > Jack,
> > > I think you hit the key on the bat above hands. This was always my problem with it the low pitch could not be hit unless you sat down.Also if you swing down wouldn't the correct follow through be hitting the ground in front of the plate?Obviously silly but wouldn't it be correct?
> >
> > >>I understand the top hand has to be below when hitting a low pitch, and thank you about that. I have a couple players, when they just start their swing, the first movement of their hands is to drop them flat(back) and then swing or it seems push to me the swing level through the zone. no matter how on time the swing is, the pop on the ball is bad.does this make sense?one more thing, I know chopping at the ball is bad, but down to the level position hitting through the ball level was always succesful when I played.I'm ordering the tape, but would like to hear feedback.
> > thanks
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> > I apologize if my comment was rude it was not meant that way but after reading it I see it could be taken that way.I assure you it wasn't directed at your situation.Again I apologize.The deal about the bat staying above hands just gets me.I think I know what you are describing.Does it seem they drop the bat and then their whole body goes forward and the bat just comes along for the ride?


Watch out for the high back elbow position with the bat held straight up.

One drill that works for me with some players, especially young, physically weaker ones, is to start the swing with the bat resting on the shoulder. Try to keep the bat orientation normal, 45 degrees, instead of totally horizontal or vertical, hands relaxed and out in front of the shoulder a little. Many players can swing from that position and others will instinctively pick up the bat just before initiating the swing.