Posted by: Major Dan (markj89@charter.net) on Mon Oct 30 12:13:59 2000

Re: Re: answer for grc
> > > Posted by: RQL (mailto: on Sat Oct 28 21:25:46 2000) -- for
> > rest of post
> > >
> > > >>>I differ from J ack I think on bottom hand torque is in stead of
> > an oarlock on the top hand mine is going forward as the bottom hand is
> > pulling back from tight shoulder turn and strong wrist action.this
> > seems to me to be what I see happening when I see this tight 90L in
> > back elbow then right before impact you see that 90 headed more like
> > the power V and I think its driving forward making the difference not
> > oarlocking ,But dont unload it to early or the torque is gone<<<
> > >
> > > Hi All
> > >
> > > RQL made some interesting points in his post. I think a further
> > discussion on the topic would benefit all.
> > >
> > > For pitches from the middle-in, I recommend mechanics that bring the
> > bat to contact before the back elbow extends and thus the back arm
> > still forms an "L" position. This conclusion is not drawn from my
> > opinion on batting or impressions based on my swing. It is based on
> > data from my research of how energy is transferred in the baseball
> > swing.
> > >
> > > When I set up the parameters for the research, I determined that for
> > the findings to be valid it would require the collection of a large
> > amount of unbiased data. So I made a sign and hung it over my desk. It
> > read "Have no preconceived theory, report only what you observe." The
> > data gained from charting over 3000 swings was then correlated with
> > players' "slugging percentage" statistics. The results clearly showed
> > that for pitches from the middle-in, the more the back arm was
> > extended past the "L" position, the lower the performance.
> > >
> > > The reason I refer to "bottom-hand torque" as the most efficient
> > mechanic for middle-in pitches is because as the bat approaches
> > contact the hands will have slowed down to about 5 mph. So it is not
> > hand quickness that will determine bat speed. It is the amount of
> > torque forces delivered to the hands that will cause the bat-head to
> > accelerate. The lead hand is now in a stronger position to deliver
> > torque force to the bat than the top hand. The lead arm is straight so
> > the pull on the lead hand does not rely on the muscles of the arm but
> > instead from the pulling back of the lead shoulder. The pulling back
> > of the lead shoulder is powered by the large muscle groups of the legs
> > and torso. --- The progression of the back arm and hand ("L" position)
> > as a unit is powered by shoulder rotation. But the extension of the
> > back arm (or elbow) relies on the smaller muscle groups of the arm and
> > thus less powerful. Therefore the back hand serves more as a pivot
> > point for the lead hand to pull the bat around.
> > >
> > > Note: When a boxer delivers a power punch, the arm maintains an "L"
> > position while the thrust is delivered mainly by the rotation of the
> > shoulders. When the punch is delivered from the extension of the arm -
> > it becomes more of a jab.
> > >
> > > Jack Mankin
> > >
> > >
> >
> > Jack-
> >
> > Rotational batters such as Piazza seem to tighten the arc of the
> > handpath as the swing progresses by leaning the front shoulder back
> > more and/or shortening the lead arm on the very inside pitch.How does
> > this tightening of the arc of the circular handp ...............................................................................................................................i have observed the "L" position in the back arm of major leaguers, although the the vertical part of the "L" is not quite as "vertical" as it is in the "lag position" (the half way point in the swing where the bat is nearly parallel with the ground)......and of course as you said , jack, this point at contact is well short (to be exact, about 60 degrees short) of full extension of the front arm.....i also agree with the boxer punch analogy....anyone who understands that analogy should also be able to understand the circular hand path (and can you imagine a boxer taking a linear hand path????!!!)........now, your statement "The lead hand is now in a stronger position to deliver
> > torque force to the bat than the top hand. The lead arm is straight so
> > the pull on the lead hand does not rely on the muscles of the arm but
> > instead from the pulling back of the lead shoulder. The pulling back
> > of the lead shoulder is powered by the large muscle groups of the legs
> > and torso. --- The progression of the back arm and hand ("L" position)
> > as a unit is powered by shoulder rotation. But the extension of the
> > back arm (or elbow) relies on the smaller muscle groups of the arm and
> > thus less powerful. Therefore the back hand serves more as a pivot
> > point for the lead hand to pull the bat around.".......well......i hope you don't kick me off your site for saying this, but......subtract the scientific reasoning in your statement and you are saying exactly what CHARLEY LAU said in his justification for releasing the top hand!!!!!.....ever so respectfully & with the hope that you will allow me to make posts at this site, grc.....

The boxer analogy is a good one. The jab is a linear punch while the hook and uppercut are rotational. The jab is more accurate while the others are more powerful. Different techniques for different tasks.
grc - Lau made a big case for letting to of the top hand to add extension. He also restricted the hip turn to stay linear so the top hand couldn't move as far forward anyway. However, extending the bottom hand and generating batspeed out to the end of the swing isn't very useful if the ball is already gone from the bat. And from my memory, Lau didn't focus on generating batspeed PRIOR to contact.