Top Hand Release Or No Top Hand Release?

The facility I take my son to has some new batting drills/equipment that emphasizes the top hand release theories. My son tried it this evening, it was an interesting concept with the bat that is essentially hinged, then the short stubby bat that is heavier than most to ensure hitting the ball back in the "zone" and a flat bat to ensure proper palm placement and striking the ball proper. The guy that owns the place talked up Pujols and his top hand release method and how it enables a quicker movement towards 1B as well instead o fhaving both hand "finishing high" then having to bring them down to start you run to 1B. All in all, I think do what is working, try various drills and if they feel they are enhancing your hitting of the baseball do them.

its nothing but a personal thing. i release my top hand. my coach this year wanted me to finish a little lower with it in attempt to flatten out my swing through the zone, that seems to work but i still release my top hand. this is just a personal thing, works for some, not for others. something to tinker with, some coaches might see it in a kid and think for some reason he'd be better without it. but this isnt a blanket right or wrong mechanic.

Very simply, the ball's already gone and it doesn't care whether you let go of the bat or not.

I like for my sons to have the longer higher follow through and so they let go well after impact.

I have never taught finish in hitting (high or low). Don't think it helps. I like a top-hand finish simply for unloading the torque on the lower back. I think as a player gets older, faster and takes more swings, it helps the lower back to unload the stress.

One handed finish allows me to create more back spin on the ball(more carry on the ball) than top spin. It allows me to go long through the hitting zone and relieves the stress on my body created by my swing.

Willj1967

If it doesn't matter whether you let go of the bat or not because the ball's already gone then why even finish the swing? Wouldn't everyone just stop once they made contact to save time getting to first?

Because if you stop your swing one millisecond after impact, then you were already decelerating when you hit the ball.

After contact, any power or speed you apply to swinging the bat is wasted. The bat simply coasts out to the end.

Its a personal preference that just doesn't matter. Leaving both hands on the bat on the follow through fine if you dont pull off because your trying to keep both hands on the bat. Releasing the top hand after contact fine unless you release during or before contact. Whatever works for you is the right way. If you can hit it doesnt matter anyway right?

Nicely put Coach.

I prefer keeping both hands on the bat.
Ive seen alot of lower end high school players(including a few I play with everyday)who release their top hand off the bat and constantly strike out.Why?Because they are to busy trying to crush the ball and moving their head because they arent seeing the ball well.

I truly believe if you keep both hands on the bat you stay in longer,see the ball better,and follow through better.Like basketball,follow through should matter.

thumbs up for no release from FC27!

It makes no difference after contact wether you leave the top hand on or release it. If your pulling off the ball , your pulling off the ball. Leaving both hands on the bat will not stop you from pulling off if you are. If leaving both hands on the bat works for you thats great. But there are a ton of very good hitters that release just as there are a ton of goog hitters that dont. Just because it works for you does not mean it works for everyone else. I personally could careless as a coach as long as the release or lack of release does not negatively effect the swing process. I have a kid right now that keeps both hands on the bat. Instead of releasing the top hand he follows through with both hands on the bat and pulls himself off the ball alot. And I have seen kids release too early (right before contact). Again I as stated earlier the right way is the way that works for you. And that might not be the way it works for the next guy. And it definitely is not the way it works for everyone.