Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Sat Jun 8 18:39:12 2002

>>> I have been failing to adjust my axis of rotation to the plane of the pitch. I always seem to swing level at every pitch. Is it bad to pull with your lead shoulder. Does it mess you guys up when you think about pulling your shoulder to initiate the swing? I am mainly having problems with the low inside pitch, i swing over it a lot and i have been hitting way to many ground balls, for a player with good batspeed. Its been really frustrating, do u guys have any advice to adjusting the axis of rotation prior to initiating the swing?
The Hitman <<<

Hi Hitman

Initiating the bat into the correct swing plane is very important to good hitting. Although the axis angle is significant, the forces applied by the hands to the bat have an even greater bearing on the plane at contact. For the bat to be on a slight up-slope in the contact zone, the bat-head should start its down-slope behind the batter. Then it bottoms-out (level to the ground) and is on the up-slope at contact.

Accelerating the bat-head downward behind the batter is normal for good rotational mechanics. The hands stay back and top-hand-torque (top hand pulling back) sends the bat-head angling back and down (about a 45 degree slope) toward the catcher. --- But if the hands are thrust forward (linear mechanics) the down-slope of the bat-head is more out in front (toward the plate instead of the catcher) and the bat will still be angling downward or just leveling out at contact.

Jack Mankin