Posted by: Jimmy (jimrickon@adelphia.net) on Tue Jan 2 09:22:04 2007

> Hi Jimmy and a happy new year to you.
>
> I would agree that there is linear movement of the body during the stride. However, with almost every great hitter that linear movement ceases before they initiate their swing. As the swing is being initiated, they rotate their hips, shoulders, arms, hands and bat-head about a stationary axis.
>
> Jimmy, once the swing is initiated, can you think of any linear movement that would make the swing more productive? Also, where in the swing would you say it could be “to rotational?”
>
> Jack Mankin

Jack,
I think that describing the swing as having only one fixed axis is misleading. There are multiple axis in a quality swing. One being the back foot, another being the hips and torso, and another being the hands or wrists. The hands are not a fixed axis and thay must initially start on a more linear path and gradually the rotational portion of the hands takes place through the point of contact . If you watch the hands they are in motion moving forward once the linear movement of the stride ceases. The hitter then begins to gradually apply more force to the bat out in front through the point of contact causing crazy bat-speed through the ball rather than way before contact is made (making the swing more productive).

Similarly to you, I do not like the term "knob or hands to the ball"
because you don't actually make contact with your hands or the knob. This term can also lead to a weak position of the top hand on the bat. This term is meant to remind the hitter that the hands and legs together start the initial approach towards the general direction the ball is coming from. The term "knob to the ball" if taken to literaly, as some do, can be confusing. That is why I don't use that term.

As far it being possible to have too much rotation in a swing, absolutely. If the shoulders and hips start to rotate around thier axis too violently or too soon before the hands and legs start, the very important barrel of the bat is left behind and the axis of
rotation of the hands will happen too soon causing the bat to shoot out away from thier body towards the opposite dugout and travel slowly through the actual hitting zone. I guess this is where the terms "casting" and "trying to have some bat lag" came about. You
can also have too much rotation at the end of the swing, meaning the hitter did not stay "on the ball" and rotated off too soon and too far.

Thank you for responding, and please continue the discussion. Jimmy