Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Mon Jan 24 22:30:40 2005

>>> Wouldn't all the above mentioned players be whip type hitters....meaning that they transfer their weight forward to center? Thanks <<<

Hi Jeff

Classifying a batter as a certain “type” of hitter would depend on how you define “type.” By your definition above, any batter that transfers weight forward during the stride would be classified as a “whip type hitter.” Others would say that since they all rotate around a stationary axis, they should be classified as “rotational hitters.”

This site has always maintained that regardless of how much weight is transferred forward during the stride, all good hitters generate the energy for their swing from rotation around a stationary axis. We define a hitters “type” as either “linear” or “rotational” depending on the type of mechanics they use to transfer the body’s rotational energy into bat speed.

If the batter’s mechanics extends the hands in a fairly straight (A to B) path, we classify him as more “linear.” If the batter keeps the hands back during initiation and allow shoulder rotation to fling the hands into circular path (CHP), we define him as having “rotational transfer mechanics.”

What you refer to as a “whip type hitter” would probably have a more linear hand-path. In theory, there is a “crack of the whip” effect when the hands stop at full extension (like snapping a towel). – Jeff, I would advise you that many tests show that theory to be flawed as applied to the baseball/softball swing.

Jack Mankin