Posted by: georger () on Tue Dec 17 08:54:58 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.<<<
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> Hi Tom
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> >>> 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".
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> 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?
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> >>> Even the old "knob to the ball" works if the knob is turning while the hands are still staying back and connected.<<<
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> 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?
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> Jack Mankin
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What is "scoop hand with the top hand"? Where is the scoop positioned in your hand and where is the sand pile? That seems like a wierd example to apply to hitting.

Jack, it seems that the forces that are acting on the bat that cause the knob to turn before shoulder rotation is this internal/external rotation of the bicep/forearm/wrist cock abduction/adduction of the elbow (whatever) etc. that is discussed above, all done in conjuction with the shoulders loading and unloading. It seems to be more than just than "top hand" to me. Who is right, who knows? Are each of you describing the same action but in different ways? Is one a more technical, scientific explanation and the other a more practical explanation?

It seems that different forces are capable of "turning the bat" before shoulder rotation; and certainly, the top hand can do it and certainly the internal/external rotation of the bicep/forearm can do it; and when I do it, it feels like it is the abduction (I do not even know if that is the right term) or dropping of the back elbow in the slot that turns the bat head and sets up the swing radius for me. I think all of these forces are plausible and each probably plays a role and contributes; but I'm not a biomechanist - I just went into the backyard and did my own experiment - we are waiting on the "EXPERTS" to tell us if what we feel is what is actually happening.

What say you?