Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Thu Nov 4 21:23:46 2004

Hi All

This is a continuation of a discussion JJA and I are having below on the CHP and torque.

(JJA)
>>> Agreed. This is not the issue. Jack claims that this circular hand path can only be created by torquing the bat handle, and I disagree wholeheartedly. -JJA <<<

(Jack Mankin)
Hi JJA

I have NEVER claimed, nor do I believe, that a "circular hand path can only be created by torquing the bat handle." -- That is a complete misrepresentation of my views. I have always maintained that there are two SEPARATE forces that induce angular displacement of the bat. (1) The CHP - generated from body rotation. (2) Torque - generated from the push/pull actions of the hands and forearms.

I have often referred to (and is shown in our video) how the CHP generates bat speed independently of torque. If I believed a "circular hand path can only be created by torquing the bat handle", why do you think I would add the steering wheel knob to the bat (which eliminates torque at the handle) when demonstrating a productive CHP.

Jack Mankin

(JJA)
>>> Now you've really lost me. Are you saying that the circular hand path is created by applying forces to the bat handle?

If so, please try to explain what's happening at the handle. I'm not trying to misquote you, but my impression was that you believed that bottom hand torque was the primary contributor to bat speed after top hand torque had ended. This meant to me, perhaps in error, that you believed that linear forces at the hands were small. Are you instead saying that linear forces are large, and that both torque and linear forces are important? <<<

(Jack Mankin)
Hi JJA

I am really amazed you are asking me these questions. Throughout my writings and in the video, I stress that a CHP is developed from keeping the hands back at initiation and allowing body rotation to fling them onto a circular path. Torque applied at the handle is not a factor in developing a CHP. However, it is a major factor (along with that from the CHP) in generating bat speed. If you don't have the video, I would strongly recommend that you go back to square one and study the swing mechanics and bat speed research page.

In the video I demonstrate that a CHP accelerates the bat-head in the same way that swinging a ball on the end of a string accelerates the ball in a circle. As long as we keep our hand in a circular path, the ball will continue to accelerate in a circle. But once the hand-path straightens (more linear) the angular displacement rate slows.

I have always defined linear mechanics as producing a more linear hand-path that results from extending the hands toward the ball instead keeping them back at initiation. I have also stated many times that the force acting on the bat from a circular hand-path is directed lengthwise (linearly) down the bat ("like swinging a ball on a string"). From some of your statements, it appears to me that you (and possibly Paul) are suggesting that linear mechanics are involved in generating that force. Do you consider the mechanics that produce a CHP or "flailing action" as linear swing mechanics?

Note: We are running out of space. I will start our conversation as a new thread.

Jack Mankin