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View Full Version : Differing Hand Positions and Bat Path


stickaball junkie
07-06-2007, 07:53 AM
I think I am very close in my understanding of a high level swing. One thing that I have just become aware of and I think something that Tom G has been mentioning.

In looking at clips of Ted Williams it seems to me that his swing is low to high for the entire swing. My guess is this is because he initiates with his hands low?

In comparison most of the current day sluggers start with their hands high and the swing goes down and then up with contact occurring as the swing is going up and in front of the body.

This is probably the age old question, and something I just never fully realized when I was reading it, but which is better?

From my limited knowledge and experience, starting with the hands high a late swing would produce ground balls where starting low might be better as the bat is in the strike zone for longer.

What are your thoughts?

Kupuna
07-06-2007, 11:55 AM
Look at the top hitters back knee hinge and high lead elbow at contact. This is how they get a slight upward swing plane. Helps to have the lead arm parallel to the ground befoe launch regardless of whether they start with high or low hand position. Power also generated by use of lower body.