looks like we are back on this topic again. there have been some good points made for both theories. i still think we have to meet in the middle. there is going to be downswing in the beginning of all swings, no matter if you "slot the elbow" etc. then there will be a path where the bat levels out, then start to move upward. no one says you swing straight down on the ball. pitch location determines what part of the swing where contact is made. i agree with cadad. on the outside pitch, you make contact deeper in the zone = more of the downswing component. on an inside pitch you get the ball out front = more of the upswing component. and down the middle = at the leveling out component of the swing.
too much extreme of any of the components = a bad swing.
if we drop the backside too much when, as you guys say "slotting the elbow" then you end up with pop-up pete.
too much downswing you end up with ground out gary.
we are not even going to mention the hips and shoulders etc.