With this post, we will finished the description of the complete swinging mechanics. We started with the stance, which is the structural foundation. Next, we described loading the power into the bat by shifting your weight and hands backwards. Next was maximizing the bat speed through the forward weight transfer and hip rotation with the hands tracking directly toward the point of contact in a repeatable and efficient swing. Finally, we will describe the extension through the hitting zone and ascending bat path. This enables the batter to hit through the ball and finish high on the swing.
The Follow Through
When most coaches describe the hitting mechanics, they stop when the ball and bat collide (point of contact), but the follow-through also provides hitting power and direction to the flight of the ball. Like the swing, the follow-through must be repeatable and efficient and is the continuation of the swing after the ball has been struck. From the release of the pitch, the batter's eyes track the ball all the way to the point of contact. When the batter makes contact, the eyes should stay focused on the point of contact until the back shoulder pushes their chin forward toward looking into the field. This allows the eyes to track the ball through contact and see the ball as long as possible.
After making initial contact with the ball, the batter needs to continue the flight of the bat forward until the arms reach full extension. The top-hand arm straightens incrementally throughout the swing and reaches full extension at the point of impact or slightly beyond forming a triangle with the shoulders. Because the top hand is closer to the barrel of the of the bat, it supplies more power by pushing the bat through the hitting zone and firing the top-hand wrist.
Keep both hands on the bat through the extension until the top-hand wrist and forearm have fully rotated over the top of the bottom-hand arm and wrist. Holding the bat until this point naturally starts the bats vertical movement out of the hitting zone. As the bat starts its vertical flight, the bat should travel through the point where the hitter points the bat directly at the pitcher's head and finishes wrapping around above the front shoulder. Finishing high with the bat above the shoulder provides lift to the ball that enables line drives to soar over the infielder's head.
A shortened swing occurs when the top-hand folds over the bottom hand too soon causing the bottom elbow to fold too soon. This shortens the swing, which slows down the speed of the bat and prematurely takes the bat out of the contact plane. Many times this is describe as "rolling the wrists", but the reality is the wrist roll is caused by the lack of arm extension, which causes the top wrist to roll and the bat to ascend prematurely.
The key goal of the follow-through is keep the bat in contact with the ball as long as possible and provide the ascending lift required for line drives.