Posted by: Art () on Thu May 6 08:23:55 2004

> grc, In what way is Gwynn a so called linear hitter? Why would you call him or Carew linear? Please explain. As far as homework, I have a lot of film on both Gwynn and Carew and would like to hear your reasons for calling them linear. Please explain your thoughts on what a linear hitter does.
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> > Doug
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> Hi Doug:
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> Based on your question (what is the difference between linear and rotational), I assume that you do not have either of the BatSpeed.com instructional videos, and thus you are trying to learn all of these terms by what has been written, which can be very difficult. Our first instuctional tape really explained the differences between the rotational hitter and the linear hitters because, at that time, our objective was to demonstrate that the best professional hitters were not using linear mechanics even though most coaches were teaching it. By the time that we filmed the second tape, rotational mechanics had become widely known, so the second video was orientated toward teaching rotational mechanics. Perhaps we should not assume that most people understand the difference and/or buy the videos. We may consider adding a new page to the website.
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> In any event, the difference is very simple, and it has to do with the path of the hands. A linear (or in a line) swing means that the hitters drives the hands from the launch position in a fairly straight line directly toward the ball. The classic cues and drills are "chop wood," fence drill, hands to the ball, throw your hands at the ball, A to B, keep your shoulder in there, and so on. The whole goal is to direct the hands back toward the pitcher in a straight line without "casting" or creating a "long swing." Imagine a right handed boxer attempting to throw a quick right jab to his opponents mid section. The linear hitter has the same basic approach in that he wants to direct the hands right back at the ball. I was watching a high school practice recently and a coach was teaching his right handed hitters to swing a bat in their right only in a straight line to the ball, much like the boxer throwing a punch. This type of teaching is absolutely detrimental, but many coaches believe that this produces a quicker swing because they would say that the most direct route to the ball is a straight line. These coaches are misguided.
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> One point to note is that when most people such as yourself ask for names of linear hitters, we throw around names like Gwynn, Boggs, Ichiro, and other good, high average hitters. I would also classify Gwynn as primarily a linear hitter, although he initiated the bat very well and then basically kept his lead shoulder somewhat closed and directed the hands to the ball. His bat was on a very straight and consistent line, but he just didn't quite have the bat speed to drive the ball. (Suggestions that a linear swing produces more bat speed or is quicker is meritless.) However, unlike these select linear hitters, most linear hitters dominate the bottom of the batting charts and/or will be found batting in the number 1 and 6-9 slots. There are far less linear hitters today because you simply cannot make it to the pros with a weak linear swing that generates about a .260 average and 6 homeruns. In the 80s and 90s, linear hitters were able to survive with these stats in the 1st, 2nd, 6th, 7th or 8th position in the lineup, as long as they could play defense. Those days are gone and linear hitters just can't make it in the pros much anymore unless they have blazing speed, great defense or play catcher. But you will still find coaches teaching linear mechanics on nearly every high school and college softball team, probably one-half to two-thirds of the high school baseball teams, and a high number of college teams. The hitters who make it are usually the ones who do not conform to their coaches' teachings or finds the coach who understands the rotational swing.
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> On the other hand, rotational (or in a arc/circle) swing mechanics means that the first movement of the hands is NOT toward the pitcher. Rather, the rotational hitters direct their hands and the bat into a circular arc to start the swing. The first movement of the hands is not toward the pitcher, but perpendicular to the ball or slightly in a backwards arc toward the catcher before arcing around toward the ball. Imagine the golf swing for a moment. When Tiger Woods has completed his back swing and the club is about parallel to the ground, his hands then go in a circular arc toward the contact position. They do not drive directly toward the ball. The great hitters do the same thing in the baseball swing.
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> There is a lot of physics behind why the A to B swing is slower than the rotational swing, but this post is running long and we'll save it for another day.
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> Brian
> BatSpeed.com
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Hey grc how could you mention linear hitters without mentioning Pete Rose?