I hesitate to bring this up but here goes.
I see that the term 'plane of the bat' is used quite often in hitting discussions. To me this is a very complicated subject, not well understood, and difficult to explain. It is often confused further by the idea of a 'level swing' in which the bat is parallel to the ground. The only time the plane of bat is level with the ground is if you are swinging at a neck high pitch.
To use an illustration from golf (Ben Hogan actually) the plane of the bat can be visualized as a giant CD which is placed over one's shoulders (your head goes through the hole). The plane varies with the height of the pitch/contact point. The lower the pitch the steeper the plane of the bat. Ideally the plane of the bat is set at 'launch' after the brain has computed the contact point.
I see that the term 'plane of the bat' is used quite often in hitting discussions. To me this is a very complicated subject, not well understood, and difficult to explain. It is often confused further by the idea of a 'level swing' in which the bat is parallel to the ground. The only time the plane of bat is level with the ground is if you are swinging at a neck high pitch.
To use an illustration from golf (Ben Hogan actually) the plane of the bat can be visualized as a giant CD which is placed over one's shoulders (your head goes through the hole). The plane varies with the height of the pitch/contact point. The lower the pitch the steeper the plane of the bat. Ideally the plane of the bat is set at 'launch' after the brain has computed the contact point.