Posted by: coach9 () on Tue Oct 13 21:46:21 2009

Listen, I don't necessarily have an issue with the "rotational" hitting information posted on this website claiming how "linear" mechanics to hitting do not create the same type of bat speed. I will be honest it makes perfect sense to me if the goal of hitting was to create bat speed, and bat speed alone. Unfortunately, I believe there are very few "rotational" only hitters that have any kind of success at a high level. I really can't name any off the top of my head, but i'm sure there a couple freaks out there who are so talented it doesn't really matter. Why aren't there a ton of these "purely rotational guys out there?...because the the goal of hitting is not just to hit with "bat speed" If that was the case, there would be a heck of a lot of current beer league softball players playing in the big leagues right now! The fact of the matter is you have to have a combination of both to be successful, but guys that can't keep there hands inside the ball CAN NOT handle good pitching. Why? The main reason and probably most undercoached aspect of hitting at the young earlier levels is keeping your bat in the hitting zone as long as possible. "Bat speed" IS NOT the only component to hitting! Rotational hitters "circle" the ball which is great if they are perfectly on time because they usually hit with a lot of power, however they are inconsistent because if they are a little early they tend to pull a lot of balls foul, if they are a little late they get "fisted". There is very little room for error. Again, sometimes they are neither too early or late and really hit the ball with authority, but the fact of the matter is most of these guys top out at some point (most before the college level), and the ones that make it are unfortunately relegated to being "5 oclock hitters" or "BP all Americans. So like I said its both, but a successful baseball swing is Short to the Ball, Long through the ball which yes, might sacrifice some bat speed, but the benefit of actually being able to handle all pitches at the higher levels takes that necessary sacrifice. Please tell me what you think, and despite the tone of this post I am glad that people are talking about this kind of stuff. Theres a lot bad information out there.