Posted by: Dennis W. () on Thu Aug 16 23:52:46 2007

> > > > >>> Jude, Jack Mankin. Do you(all) believe the high finish illustrated by Charlie Lau is conducive to homerun hitting?
> > > >
> > > > Specifically in the case of Alex Rodriguez, does the top hand upward release contibute to helping the carry of the batted ball?
> > > >
> > > > If in agreement to the above mentioned, would you agree that the top hand release is somewhat or specifically pre determined by the swing plane?
> > > >
> > > > Lastly, if both hands were left on the bat would the top hand cancel out the extension process for most hitters and result in fewer homeruns? <<<
> > > >
> > > > Hi George
> > > >
> > > > Charlie Lau Jr. and I discussed the “top-hand release” in a Feb. 2001 post. I think reading the thread may answer most of your questions regarding my position on the matter.
> > > > <a href="http://www.batspeed.com/messageboard/2210.html"> RE: Top hand release - Charley Lau Jr.</a>
> > > >
> > > > Jack Mankin
> > >
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> > >
> > > Jack thanks for the thread. As a result, I have concluded that the top hand release is more effective for today's hitters for the point you noted with regard to the hitter standing away from the plate and producing the wider arc which maximizes around the 1st and 2nd base direction. In that instance as you stated the hitter would have to jerk his hands/wrists in order to keep both havds on the bat. As such I feel this could potentially collapse the swing especially if the hitter uses a jacknife or crouch position (in the case of George Brett or Tony Phillips.) But hitters who stand closer to the plate likey benefit more by keeping both hands on the bat (in the case of Darrell Evans or Lou Whitaker). And in my opinion, hitters who lack the swing strength of Mo Vaugn and David Ortiz lose power or have trouble keeping the inside pitch fair without keeping both hands on the bat (if the stand close to the plate).>
> >
> > All,
> > Top hand release IMO is irrelevant to POINT OF CONTACT. Both Top and Bottom hands contribute in power hitting. If torque is introduced in the swing, and torque is two equal forces acting in opposite directions about an axis, than I conclude both top and bottom hands are responsible for ANY batted ball.
> > The upward swing is done by what the body's tilt and what the arms and hands maintain....the back elbow gets tucked to the batter's side as the lead shoulder pulls the lead elbow in a forward rotation. This action is producing early batspeed and also torque.
> > The angle of the bottom hand or elbow maintains across the chest and is adjusted on upright body position for high balls and crouched over for lower balls. The reason higher balls are usually home run balls is because most players keep that front elbow up so energy build up is properly transferred from the rotating body. For lower balls, batters have the tendancy to drop BOTH elbows and want to uppercut or scoop at the ball does not transfer energy build up the body has generated. See link below for same swing on different pitch locations.
> >
> > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y15kuhTt5Hw
> >
> > Dennis W.
>
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>
> Dennis W. There is no argument that both hands play a part. In addition I do not think there is really that much difference in opinons. But I believe there is some question as to why the modern day hitters use the top hand release especially in the case of mechanical hitters like many Ramirez. In addition, slow pitch hitters who have hit softballs almost 500ft use the one hand release in unison with an extremely lose top hand grip. In fact the baseball grip is many times used just to hit to specific areas. This means that they feel that very little top hand control is necessary to produce power related to the actual gripping of the bat.>

George,

For the greater part of the swing, the upper body rotates the bat around, the lead shoulder pulls the lead arm. As the body opens up (in reference to the pitcher), the top hand executes a forward force because as the bat comes around the wrists must apply torque for the bat to be swung thru the ball. The bottom hand (lead shoulder) is still pulling on the bat (also during wrist torque).
I think maybe this is why batters tend to release the top hand. The bottom hand has to maintain a pulling force throughout the swing, while the top has a relative easier job.

At any rate, the release happens AFTER contact. So it would be a preference or sttyle (comfort) issue with the different batters.

Thanks George,

Dennis W.