Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Fri May 26 12:37:13 2000

>>>I am trying to better understand the swing sequence for the outside pitch and how it differs from the inside location.I understand that the circular handpath is wider on the outside pitch with relatively less shoulder turn and more torque.Is this because the torque begins at the same time in the preswing regardless of location but initiation of shoulder turn is relatively later or is this because shoulder turn starts without any delay followed by the back elbow coming further away from the side with shoulder turn being less at contact for the outside pitch?Does it matter?Is this question understandable?Thanks.<<<



Hi Tom

All the great hitters apply top-hand-torque as they initiate the swing. I refer to torque applied prior to rotation as "pre-initiation torque." This means the batter sets up with the bat-head cocked forward toward the pitcher and applies top-hand-torque to accelerate the bat-head back toward the normal launch position on all pitches. This occurs prior to body rotation and the full initiation of the swing. Barry Bonds and Gary Sheffield would be good examples of this mechanic.

But not all great hitters apply a significant amount of torque prior to the rotation of the body (pre-initiation torque) on all pitches. They cock the bat just behind their head and on pitches from the middle-in they apply top-hand-torque as body rotation begins. Big Mac and Jr. exhibit more of this type of mechanic. But if they read the pitch as going more outside, they apply top-hand-torque before body rotation begins. This causes the lead arm to start casting away from the body generating a wider hand-path. How far the arm will cast before rotation kicks in depends on how wide the pitch is.

Jack Mankin