Batting Stance-hand position

Mantle was predominantly a low ball hitter, especially from the left side.

His usual hand position was at about the shoulder. Depending on the pitcher's usual pitch selection and location, hand position should be adjusted.

Mickey Mantle

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvAHj9MHa4c

Ted Williams

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwogLVGtDa8

Willie Mays

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYi6LI4cTT4

And to drive hitting instructors crazy

Roberto Clemente

http://web.baseballhalloffame.org/media/player/mp_tpl.j...mv&type=v_free&_mp=1

quote:

Originally posted by BJW:
I noticed when watching hitting clips of Mantle, Mays, Williams that their hand position is below the shoulders at upper chest. They launch from this position. Looking at some current hitters, a lot appear to start or drop their hands to the upper chest when they launch. I was always taught to start above the shoulders (but not wrap). I'm curious as to why some start lower--maybe trying to get lift on the ball or it allows the hitter to get to the ball quicker. Logically it would make sense even if you aren't trying to lift the ball. Why start with your hands high if the majority of pitches are down in the zone. Any thoughts?

Most of the good power hitters back in the day started low and loaded up. Many started chest high, dropped to waist high and then loaded up, what is called a hitch in the swing today. I personally like the comfort of hands at chest and loading up, but that's just my opinion. It matters what is comfortable to the hitter.

quote:

Originally posted by Quincy:
was predominantly a low ball hitter, especially from the left side.
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Oh my goodness:

Mantle, Williams, Mays & Clemente could simply
hit. Period.

The 565 footer, the 21 y/o Mantle hit (and from the right side) was a Chuck Stobbs (LHP) letter high fastball that bounced off the National Boh sign (55 ft high) in left-central (and 460 ft away) at Griffith Stadium, and landed 150 ft away.

“Clark Griffith, Bucky Harris, Casey Stengel and Bill Dickey, who'd seen 'em all in the era of the lively ball, agreed it was the longest drive in the history of the game. ‘I never thought I would live to see a man who could hit a baseball as far as Ruth,’ said the awe-struck Dickey. ‘But now I've seen a man who could hit 'em further.’"

Casey Stengel (who I named my kid after) said in his own Stengelese, regarding Mantle's 565’ foot Tape Measure – “‘I don't care how far it went, It was the longest ball I ever' saw.

Yes, Williams could out hit em,
Mays played a terrific CF
and Clemente's career was tragically cut short,

Yet Mantle out ran many (3.98 H-1b from right side
and on bad wheels), hit, hit bombs, and bunted
from both sides of the plate and to all fields,
(he bunted one thru to CF and ran out a stand-up double), had a plus arm, and tragically, had the alchohol demons follow him throughout his playing days.

Who was the better of the greatest baseball player? Debatable. I choose #7.
then Stan, then Teddy, and then Say Hey!

I've gotta add my two cents to this one. I taught my kids to start with their hands no lower than their shoulders but no higher than their ears. They did it this way for years before loading up and hit well.

Then, video baseball games came along and if you'll notice,most of the players start with their hands as high as their forehead or even higher than their head. I think this is to give the 'virtual camera' a good look at the ball as it is coming in.

Well, a lot of kids have begun to hit starting with their hands way too high in my book. It takes a long time to clutch from this position and I believe it negatively affects their hitting. I think the video games have a lot to do with this.

Droping the hands gives more freedom to the wrist. This is good if you can power the ball with your arms when you have good technique and stay connected.