Posted by: Shawn (mariner0324@yahoo.com) on Mon Aug 1 17:54:59 2005

> >>> I think many select and high coaches believe that a linear hitting approach allows the hitter to be "quicker to the ball", and that rotational hitting results in a longer swing, which requires the hitter to initiate their swing sooner, thus they are more likely to get fooled by an offspeed pitch.
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> I have been following this board for over a year and I am just a parent that is intrigued by the rotational hitting approach but doesn't know enough about hitting to refute the claims made by proponents of linear hitting. I would appreciate any feedback or comments on this subject. Thanks <<<
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> Hi Jordan
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> I agree that many (if not most) high school and college coaches (baseball and softball) teach a form of linear mechanics similar to those demonstrated in this clip - http://webpages.charter.net/nickkio/HandstoBall/Linear05.mpg . I also agree these coaches think this straighter (A to B) hand-path demonstrated results in a quicker and shorter swing.
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> However, as Andy points out in his post below, it is a myth. I have charted many of these swings and found that the straighter a batter ‘s mechanics extends the hands, the longer the swing and the longer it takes to bring the bat-head to contact. Andy used Sammy Sosa as an example of a rotational swing. See clip http://www.youthbaseballcoaching.com/mpg/sosa_sammy3.mpeg
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> Sammy has not committed to the swing until he fully initiates it – hands start forward, shoulders start to rotate – about frame 14. At frame 18 he makes contact. 4 video frames (4/30 second) = .13 sec. The more linear swings I have charted (Pros included) took 5 to 6 frames. --- Now start at frame 14 and see if Sammy has a long swing to contact. Note that at contact, his back-elbow is still in the “L” position at his side. The back-arm is nearing full extension with linear mechanics – 8 to 10 inches farther out to contact.
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> I often ask linear coaches – “As the hands are extending out farther and farther toward contact, is the swing getting quicker and shorter?
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> Jack Mankin

Jack,

In both cases the hitter reaches extension. In the clip of Sosa he reaching extension as he makes contact, meaning he is in the act of reaching extension.

Extension isn't the problem. It's how the hitter reaches extension. On video you can tell when a hitter is driving that top hand or when they are using rotational mechanics as you define them. But', extension is reached in most cases.