Posted by: The Hitting Guru (hitman3527@aol.com) on Thu Jan 5 19:54:56 2006

It is my opinion that cheaters (suspected steroid users) techniques should by qualified in our discussions. Since Sammy Sosa is no where near the hitter he was after the steroid scandals broke, should we really be incorporating his style in our discussions? On that note I would like to know if any expert has analyzed his technique of last year and noticed any significant differences? Could it be that something other than technique was responsible for his homerun numbers? (Food for thought)

Jack Mankin. I believe part of the problem in linear vs rotational is that different players are successful using different approaches. It is theoretically possible that any hitter can be effective using rotational mechanics. But the problem lies in how much time a hitter will use to perfect the technique. And since this is a process, it is likely some hitters will give up too soon and use a technique that will produce immediate though not necessarilly optimum results. Also I think it is not feasible to compare a Bonds or a Sosa to a Rose or a Boggs. The diffence in physical strength is to great too make a reference to speed frames from a technological video analysis. In order to make the best comparison, we have to find players of comparable strength and ability.

Jack, with regard to your comment on noticeable flaws in the swing of hitters, I would like to add to that discussion. It is common knowledge that Alex Rodriguez is one of the top hitters in the game. But almost without fail he has problems with men in scoring position as well as in big games. Though I am an A-Rod fan, I would have bet money that he would not come through in that Yankee/Bosox divisional end of season series as well as the playoffs. Do you think he might benefit from a different technique in order to at least put the ball in play? I think we can all recall instances in which some players are going to strike out on hittable pitches. Might they warrent the quicker bat of a David Eckstein technique or some type of emergency stance. I just do not think that it is acceptable for a player to strike out over 100+ times consistently, especially if that player is not hitting at least 35 homeruns.