Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Mon Oct 8 16:51:52 2001

>>> I always thought that Jason Giambi is a linear hitter because he takes such a long stride, and his head moves a lot during the swing, it seems like his hand path is pretty good though, what are your thoughts watching Giambi? <<<

Hi Jeff

I have not charted the swing of Jason Giambi and I have found my impressions formed while viewing a swing in live (or even slow motion) is many times inaccurate. But, below is a post I made earlier that relates to your question.

�Many coaches define linear or rotational mechanics in terms of the batter�s body movement. If the batter strides forward or shifts weight forward he is considered to be a linear hitter. No-stride hitters are thought of as rotational. But many of the batters that have a circular hand-path and use top and bottom-hand-torque may also have a fairly long stride. Many no-striders have a more linear hand-path. So what determines a batter to be linear or rotational?

Although body rotation is the energy for the swing, the upper-body transfer mechanics that converts that energy into bat speed is really what determines whether the batter�s mechanics is linear or rotational. --- Knob first extension mechanics has the bat-head trailing behind the hands through much of the swing and the bat does not reach contact until the arms near full extension � those are the characteristic of linear mechanics.

A circular hand-path and the constant application of torque bring the bat to contact much farther back in the swing � those are rotational mechanic principles.�

Jack Mankin