Posted by: Major Dan (markj89@charter.net) on Tue Dec 17 07:56:19 2002

>>> For the scap loading part,you might use keep the hands back,keep the hands in,or Epstein's "scoop sand with the top hand".Even the old "knob to the ball" works if the knob is turning while the hands are still staying back and connected.Lots of possibilities.One key to not confusing the student with the cue/interpretation is for the teacher to know what has to happen at a fairly fundamental level.<<<
> >
> > Hi Tom
> >
> > >>> For the scap loading part, you might use keep the hands back, keep the hands in, or Epstein's "scoop sand with the top hand".
> >
> > During the “scap load,” part, would Epstein recommend scooping sand at the catcher or at the pitcher? What to you find in the cue; "scoop sand with the top hand," that encourages a batter to keep the hands back and connected during scap loading?
> >
> > >>> Even the old "knob to the ball" works if the knob is turning while the hands are still staying back and connected.<<<
> >
> > I agree with you, the bat should undergo a good amount of angular displacement before the hand-path is accelerated. What forces would you say are acting on the bat that cause the knob to turn before shoulder rotation and the hands arc into their path?
> >
> > Jack Mankin
> >
> > At some point in the future I might try to put all these posts together & make sense of them. A lot of stuff to absorb (good stuff I might add).
>
> In the meantime,this , in 20 words or less is whar scap loading feels like to me. Stride, hands go back/stay back....at about the point where stride foot is ready to land (toe touch), I feel at maximum seperation...I feel like this is now the point where, in the abcense of me forcing my hands to go back further than they should, my hands have nowhere to go except in a swing mode....i shoulder feels like it's loaded but yet i don't do anything to make this feeling happen other than the normal hands back/stride....i would appreciate your comments...

Scapula loading is a specific physical motion. What it feels like is subjective and can be different for different people.
If you bend your elbows approx. 90 degrees and put your upper arms out sideways from your shoulders (kind of like a cross checking position in hockey but without the stick), then try to touch your elbows together behind your back. What have your shoulder blades done?
Pinched together? That is scapula loading.
Try preparing/loading your top hand arm for the swing by doing that instead of turning your shoulders.