Posted by: Jimmy (jimrickon@adelphia.net) on Wed Jan 3 09:43:14 2007

> Jimmy, you do a much better job explaining my thoughts on effective swing mechanics than me. For months I've been trying to explain (poorly I believe) that pure rotation is not the most effective way to hit a baseball. I agree that hitting is both linear and rotational...the load is linear; the first move to the ball with the hands is linear and then the swing becomes rotational as the bat moves towards the ball. My son had 3 yrs of rotational training, by a certified Epstein instructor, boy he could hit the inside fastball...but that's all. Once he moved up to a 13u travel team and pitchers started using the outside of the plate he struggled. We were lucky enough to find an instructor who applied the same principles that you discuss...he is now a much better hitter. jim

Hi Jim,

Well I'm glad that your boy has improved his game, because that is what any and all of these discussions should be about. The whole point to practicing or recieving any instruction is to make the game easier for the player. If a certain action that is being taught isn't going to make that happen in the long run than the action needs to be rethought. The game involves much more than just how much batspeed the hitter can generate. It takes a plan at the plate and a physical approach that can allow that plan to be executed.

Thank you for the comments and your story. Jimmy