I would be curious what others think of this (from the book "The Mike Schmidt Study").
Bat Angle
Any bat held vertically in the stance (straight up and down) will initiate a long loop in its path to the ball, using valuable time. Worse, gravity acts to pull the head of the vertical bat down below the hands during the swing, which nullifies top hand action and hinders hip rotation. The swing becomes warped into an uppercut.
A bat which is held more horizontally in the stance, at a forty-five degree angle or flatter, will have greater efficiency to the strike zone. Less time will be required getting it to the point of contact. More, the effect of gravity is minimized so top hand action and hip rotation are complete. Also, the path of the bat is traight and level.
A few great hitters started with a vertical (straight up) bat angle, and if it feels right for you, try it. Just remember that a level swing cannot come out of a vertical bat angle. The flatter the bat angle, the shorter and quicker the stroke.
Bat Angle
Any bat held vertically in the stance (straight up and down) will initiate a long loop in its path to the ball, using valuable time. Worse, gravity acts to pull the head of the vertical bat down below the hands during the swing, which nullifies top hand action and hinders hip rotation. The swing becomes warped into an uppercut.
A bat which is held more horizontally in the stance, at a forty-five degree angle or flatter, will have greater efficiency to the strike zone. Less time will be required getting it to the point of contact. More, the effect of gravity is minimized so top hand action and hip rotation are complete. Also, the path of the bat is traight and level.
A few great hitters started with a vertical (straight up) bat angle, and if it feels right for you, try it. Just remember that a level swing cannot come out of a vertical bat angle. The flatter the bat angle, the shorter and quicker the stroke.
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