Posted by: Ruben (Okjay38@aol.com) on Fri Oct 5 08:35:12 2001

Jack,

I appreciate your insight and response. I do love the website and I truly keep and open mind in dealing with all the teachings and techniques to both hitting and pitching.

Whether my swing is either "linear" or "rotational" is beyond what I have taught, as I try not to get too technical with my kids. I teach in terms of applying the torque the body creates directly to the ball. I'm not necessarily stating the swing is more compact or longer/shorter, although I do feel that this swing would definitely be considered as "quick". However, I do feel that keeping your back elbow bent at an angle at contact limits the flow of torque applied to the ball. In logical terms, a water hose fully extended flows freely with maximum efficiency. Bending the hose, putting a "kink" in it limits the flow of water coursing through it.

I do look examine pictures of hitters closely, and I do see many hitters with their back elbows pointing down. I, however, teach and preach that keeping the elbows in throughout the swing builds more power, and only when the elbows and hands drive towards the ball can this massive buildup of energy be released with maximum efficiency.

Any feedback on this is appreciated Jack.

Ruben