Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Wed Sep 7 14:37:08 2005

>>> Hi Jack and other posters,

Tyler raised a great point in his post:

"SWING LEVEL!!"

I/we hear this term so often and from so many coaches and yes, including many professionals. Ripkin even mentions it in his book but fails to elaborate in describing it or defining it???

Maybe I have missed it here on this site as well so please...

What is suppose to be level during the swing???
Hips? Bat? Hands? Shoulders? Head?

Is it possible it is just another worn out catch phrase like keep the back elbow up? And if it is why are coaches still using it? <<<

Hi DBC

Read my reply to Tyler below for "SWING LEVEL!!" – An elevated back elbow is not just a “catch phase” with the best hitters. Once you understand the mechanics they use to initiate their swings, you will understand why they have the back-elbow up.

Jack Mankin