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