Is releassing the top hand bad?

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Apr 17, 2012
806
18
Wi
I believe the hitting coach for the White sox in the 90s advocated releasing the top hand. Frank Thomas ans several other hitters on those teams did it.
 
Jun 17, 2009
15,105
0
Portland, OR
Please explain. Once the ball has already left the bat, how can the hands possibly affect the ball?

That said, I understand that if the hand coming off the bat after contact is a result of flawed upstream mechanics, then releasing the hand could be an issue, but (IMO) that's a whole different discussion.

The sequence that a hitter follows through impact influences the bat speed attained through impact.

I understand the logic of ***IF*** the bat speed was the same ... ... ... but the ***IF*** is silly, because it is more a wishful pipe dream. The reality is that one's release mechanics do matter and that they influence the speed of the barrel into/through impact.
 
Jun 8, 2016
16,118
113
The sequence that a hitter follows through impact influences the bat speed attained through impact.

I understand the logic of ***IF*** the bat speed was the same ... ... ... but the ***IF*** is silly, because it is more a wishful pipe dream. The reality is that one's release mechanics do matter and that they influence the speed of the barrel into/through impact.

I don't think anybody is advocating releasing at impact or even close to impact but instead think Ken Griffey Jr.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0moFbeC-EA
 
Apr 3, 2013
54
6
I don't think anybody is advocating releasing at impact or even close to impact but instead think Ken Griffey Jr.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0moFbeC-EA

That's true. And I agree that after contact the ball is going to do what it's going to do regardless if the too hand stays in contact. But I think that is the difference of a kid releasing the hand and stopping short causing premature deceleration. What we see at result is usually occurring prior to that point. So at contact or shortly after there could be a breakdown that actually is an issue. Look at Griffey's top hand. Although it does come off it stays with the bat and actually accelerates past it some at finish.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Jan 20, 2015
170
16
Indiana
Many of the best hitters on the planet release the top hand, male and female. Telling a hitter never to do so shows a lack of ability to work with multiple hitting styles which shows the lack of a good hitting coach IMO.
 

JAD

Feb 20, 2012
8,231
38
Georgia
When my DD releases her top hand there is a 98.2% chance she is opening up her front shoulder early, which is why we discourage her from doing it...
 

JAD

Feb 20, 2012
8,231
38
Georgia
Im trying to put these two things together. How does the top hand stop the shoulders from turning?

Not sure it works the same for everyone, which is why I stated that is what happens with my DD. Try swinging a bat with and without releasing the top hand and see what you get.
 

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