Posted by: BHL (Knight1285@aol.com) on Mon Apr 26 14:09:05 2004

>>> I am a college baseball player in Gainesville, FL and I was wondering if you could give me your take on the swing. I have been taught by my coaches here to swing down to the ball (Griffy tee) to generate backspin. I also work with a Rockies hitting coach back at home and he tells me to have a "short to it long through it" linear swing (arms) but a rotary core (hips, sholders, torso). I can hit both ways but consistancy is my major problem. I'm 6'0" 180lbs and I'm a gap to gap hitter. How can I generate more power to turn some of my balls hitting the fence into homeruns?
> > >
> > > Thank you for your time, <<<
> > >
> > > Hi Greg
> > >
> > > Rotational transfer mechanics can generate much greater bat speed than linear mechanics. And, rotational hitters dominate both the power and average stats in both leagues. I would suggest you read as much material on the site as possible and then make up your mind which route to take.
> > >
> > > Bart (grc) would have you believe that rotational hitters can hit with power but not for a high batting average. Then he says “i don't want to hear any stuff from anyone about "what about bonds, williams, mantle, aaron" and other great hitters who had power AND average.” - Greg, you could add to that list Mays, Brett and a few other rotational hitters who not only hit with great power, but who also won league batting titles. --- Of course, Bart (grc) would want you to discount these great rotational hitters, how could anyone look at that list and still maintain – rotational batters can’t hit for both power and average.
> > >
> > > Bart (grc) then states, “linearism gives you slightly more time before you have to commit yourself to the swing, but you then sacrifice power....rotation (more bat cock) causes you to commit yourself earlier,” -- Greg, that it is pure bunk. Once the batter has committed to the swing, good rotational hitters require nearly a full video frame (1/30 of a sec.) less time to bring the bat to contact than linear hitters. His statement “(you need the extra time to "uncock") occurs during pre-launch movements (pre-launch torque) which takes place before initiation and the batter is committed to the swing.
> > >
> > > Greg, pre-launch torque, initiation and top-hand-torque are discussed at length in the selected posts on the “Swing Mechanics Page.”
> > >
> > > Jack Mankin
> > >
> > >
> >
> > Good post Jack. This adage about linear hitters get a longer look and can start later than rotational hitters is pure bunk. In fact, it's quite the opposite.
> >
> > How do you explain Brett being rotational when his instructor was Charlie Lau, the linear of all linears.
>
> Or how about A-rod, whose instructor was Charley Lau, Jr., the son of the linear of all linears?

Hi John,

I think we would all agree that all great hitters are rotational.

My point is this: if a hitter can exhibit the same mechanics as John Elliot, who cares if his teacher is Charley Lau, or Ted Williams?

I believe that, for some people, thinking in linear terms achieves rotation. Although I would agree that individuals who hit this way would be out of the majors in a couple years, you will find some great rotational hitters, notably George Brett, who swear by the linear codes. How do we account for the discrepancies?

Well, George Brett's biography "Born to Hit" describes him as a reverse weight shift hitter, who might rotate around a fixed back leg, as opposed to the natural tendency to rotate around a fixed front leg. By teaching George Brett to shift his weight, Lau was actually offsetting Brett's reverse weight shift tendence. And, when weight shift from opposing side is offset, rotation flourishes!

On the other hand, if Brett's problem were the latter, the former could be used to correct it.

Williams is best suited for those who do not show any tendencies, and just choose to rotate.

In the end, "cues" are irrelevant. The only significant factor is rotation.

Perhaps, this is what you are trying to articulate.

Best wishes,
BHL
Knight1285@aol.com

P.S. Note: "Cues" are personal, whereas mechanics are shared among hitters.