Posted by: () on Mon May 20 13:24:33 2002

grc et al-
> I can't provide any better graphics than what Jack has here or looking at clips of players who use the more obvious degree of these mechanics-Bonds,Griffey,Mac, Sosa,etc
> Top hand torque is begun in the preswing.The pulling back of the top hand toward the catcher UNCOCKS the bat after it has been slightly cocked toward the batter(during the timing step).This uncocking/torque is underway before launch as the back elbow starts to come down before the go decision is made.
> The other comments about top and bottom hand were referring to the feel at Contact,sorry for the confusion.

: well im a big big advocate of top/bottom hand torque,,,but i dont agree its in the "preswing". If the top hand torque was really in the preswing then you would have a really long swing, The bat would fly way out and then youd start rotation. That doesnt sound right or work unless your extremely strong or the pitching is slow. You rotate as you apply hand torque with the wrists at the same time. By staying loose the hands will ride along with the rotation of the body even though they are simutaneously producing top/bottom hand torque. that creates angular displacement of the bat and a whip like batspeed produced earlier in the swing. When hitting the outside pitch the batter will apply much more hand torque and less rotation so the bat will really fly out and the hands wont move as far so it may look "long" but in that case thats what you want it to do. Do that on anyother fastball inside or down the middle and youll get wristed.