[Bagger Lance]

It seems like the line between straightening/stretching and thrusting during the release/impact interval is very thin, and if I have applied extensor action correctly from fix to release, everything else feels automagic.[/b]

Bambam,

It does seem like a very thin line and I've always been concerned about it as well. One of the things that is helping me tremedously is learning how to hit. I'm far enough down the path with hitting that I'm very aware of the differences. Once you feel the difference in passive motion vs. active thrust the "seems as if" goes away.
There is a huge difference between the two procedures. The best way I can describe it is; The swinger is actively allowing the right arm to straighten as sensed in pp1 and pp3, but the straightening force never disrupts or overwhelms the main thrust for the swinger, which is pivot thrust sensed through pp#4 and pp#2.

Bagger