Posted by: Jack Mankin (mrbatspeed@aol.com) on Fri Sep 19 13:33:25 2003

>>> Jack, Have to agree with most things you have said since I started frequenting this message board, except for the rotational vs linear argument. I like the rotational swing, but feel that there are linear movements in a rotational hitter. The second a hitter takes a stride forward.....is that not a linear movement? Alex Rodriguez is a good example of a great hitter who has linear and rotational movements.

Doug <<<

Hi Doug

I would say that our disagreement is more a matter of defining when the actual swing begins. I break a hitter’s mechanics into two categories. The first phase is the batter’s ‘pre-launch’ movements he makes to set up the launch position. This is where hitters display many different styles in where they hold their hands in the stance, how much cock to the bat, length of stride – or no stride, and etc.

The second phase starts once the batter has completed the stride and forward (linear) movement of the body has ceased and he is ready to rotate around a stationary axis. His hands are now at the back-shoulder, the bat has lowered (or accelerated) into the plane of the swing, and he has completed the ‘pre-launch’ movements and is ready to ‘launch’ the swing. --- The time to display different “styles” is over and from this point the mechanics exhibited by the best hitters will be basically the same.

So Doug, you are right in saying that there is linear movement during the stride. But as I pointed out, that linear movement takes place before the swing is actually launched. As the batter sets up the launch position, linear movement has ceased and once the swing is initiated, the batter will rotate around a stationary axis. Therefore, there is no linear and rotational movements (other than counter-rotation) taking place at the same time.

Best regards,

Jack Mankin