Posted by: Donny Buster (donnybstr@aol.com) on Tue Sep 16 03:14:52 2003

>>> could you please give me/us your definition of "flattening the hands"? <<<
>
> >>> i really don't have something more specific. i just have a problem sometimes, with interpreting accurately what people mean verbally.
> a visual demo accompanied by a verbal explanation is much more accurate in transferring information.
> if you would, could you tell me at what point in any/all of nick’s recent clips (bonds, guerrero, pujols) the hands are “flat”. is it when palm up/palm down occurs? <<<
>
> Hi Ray
>
> Many batters hold the bat in a vertical position in their stance. As they prepare the launch position, the bat is lowered to about a 45 degree angle with the ground. As the swing continues, the bat lowers to about level at what is referred to as the “lag position.” Lowering the bat to this position is what most coaches mean by "flattening the hands."
>
> Some coaches believe that the “lag position” is also the optimum launch position. They contend that all the body and arm movement used to get the bat from a more vertical launch position to the “lag position” is just wasted effort. To them, they would be better off initiating the swing from the “flattened hand” position.
>
> Steve Ferroli, in his book “Hit Your Potential,” promotes starting the swing from the “flattened hand” position. He, like most coaches, simply do not understand the absolute necessity of the bat attaining a good rate of angular displacement as it reaches the lag position. Ferroli actually believed Ted Williams would have generated as much bat speed starting from that position.
>
> Below are excerpts from Ferroli’s book.
>
> “Why did Ted hold his bat vertically? Well, for one reason he personally liked the lighter weight when the bat is held perpendicular to the ground. But hitters don’t hit from their stance. They hit from their landing! Therefore, having to bring the bat down to the flattened position from a higher position in the stance is an unnecessary movement.”
>
> “I lured my teacher into a sparring session. I said, 'Ted, why not just start with the bat right here?' But, there was no sparring session. Instead, being the number one forefather of technical hitting, he bellowed, 'Why not!'”
>
> I can say with confidence that if Ted had started his swing with a static bat in the lag position – we would never have heard of him.
>
> Jack Mankin
>
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. Dear Jack ,

I work with many young players. One of the problems that I have is getting them in proper position at landing. I understand that starting vertical with the bat and dropping it into the lag position has the advantage of stretching those muscles before firing vs. being static. The problem I have is getting the young player to the proper hitting position on a consistent basis during game conditions. It is easy off a tee. Is it alright to assume the set up that is close to the landing position for young players until they feel what it is like to swing from the proper set up and let them stylize from there as they get older