Posted by: Informer (therealinformer@lycos.com) on Sun Jul 13 21:47:07 2003

Question for Jack or anyone else out knowledgeable
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> > > > > > > > > Does this style of swing (rotational theory) benefit those that play slowpitch softball or does conventional "transfer of weight and extension" swing work better for slowpitch.
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> > > > > > > > The type of style that will benefit you most depends on what type of hitter you are. If you have a lot of power and can reach the fence on a regular basis the rotational theory will probably benefit you the most. This is so because some of your mishits will be homeruns. On the other hand if you do not have a lot of power the transfer of the weight method will probably benefit you more. In this case, some of your mishits can produce hard ground balls that can advance runners, and or make the defense have to react more. With ground balls the defender has to pick the ball up cleanly, make a good throw, and the first baseman has to catch the ball. Whereas, a flyball that does not leave the park is an almost certain out.
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> > > > > > > So a rotational hitter can not hit ground balls?
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> > > > > > Exactly. Rotational results in hard hit balls. Tilt the axis back toward catcher a little more and the swing plane is up a little more for fly balls. Swing with a more upright axis relative to the catcher and pitcher and the swing plane results in more line drives and ground balls on average. If you are going to hit the ball on the ground or anywhere else, hit it hard. Or the other option is to use a Gwynn type swing and just try to punch it the other way in to the short grass and let someone else drive you in. This is a common strategy in fastpitch and very successful from the left side in terms of obp. I would think it would be even more successful in slowpitch assuming you can be very accurate with the bathead. But then the other guys will razz you and the girls won't ooh and aah. Better just learn to hit it hard. : )
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> > > > > THE ROTATIONAL HITTER CAN HIT GROUND BALLS, BUT AT A VERY SMALL PERCENTAGE. HIS STYLE IS MORE OF A HIT OR MISS STYLE THAT REQUIRES PRECISE TIMING. MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, THE ROTATIONAL HITTER PRODUCES FLYBALLS COUPLED WITH MANY MORE MISHITS THAN OTHER TYPES OF HITTING STYLES. THEREFORE, IT IS MUCH MORE IMPORTANT FOR THIS TYPE OF HITTER TO BE VERY STRONG AND HAVE GOOD COMMAND OF THE STRIKEZONE TO MAKE MAXIMUM USE OF THIS SYSTEM.
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> > > > With all due respect, I think you are completely wrong.
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> > > Respectfully, see Mike Schmidt's hitting theory book.
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> > Respectfully, See Ted Williams book. If we are going to go by the status of the former players books, then Williams outhit Schmidt by 77 points in career average .344 to .267. I would pay more attention to Mr. Williams.
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> > Doug
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> Ever watch a clip of Pete Rose hitting? He was a pretty good contact guy wasn't he? Come to think of it, whose MLB game clips would you suggest we look at to see weight shift hitting. Must be lots of them wouldn't you think? I find a FEW linear guys, but no weight shift hitters.

How does all this talk of major leaguers apply to the original post? I too am looking to better my softball swing (slow pitch) and it seems the subject has gotten off point.