Posted by: Jimmy () on Thu Jan 4 19:08:09 2007

> Hi Dave I agree with you these blanket statements and cliches that the linear believers hang their hats on are weak and often self serving. I recently had the Head Coach of a college in Lousiana host a hitting camp in her home town in Nebraska. (she was home for
the holidays) When she played college ball she changed from the linear disconnected concept to the rotational connected swing and became one of the best hitters in college. Her batting average was .402 and her slugging percentage was .779. She said she would
never have set these standards using a linear swing. I believe that the number one reason that pitching dominates in womens softball is because of the linear swing concept. It is human nature to resist change, but with the advent. of digital photogrophy some people
look only for what they believe, and ignore reality. I also agree some players have less than perfect swings but can become successful, usually because their athletecisim overides the
flaws. Not every one has that luxury and must depend on the basic fundimentals, biomechanics and physics to get the desired result. I might also note that this tremendously successful player and now a head coach made a statement that "as soon as you start using your arms this disconnects your arms from your body." In other words the
hips start the swing. Thanks for letting me add my two cents.
> coach13

Hi coach13,

Please read my post responding to Dave P. and you will see that I am not advising a strictly linear approach. I also think the coach that you used as an example could have had more offensive production if she hadn't been strictly rotational. Disconnection of the hands from the body is what gives you more barrel control along with power. This is why when you use a hammer to a nail (which you need to control with as well), you disconnect the use of your hands from your body. Your body doesn't move with your arm and the hammer head as you swing it.

I do agree that pitching dominates fast-pitch softball because of the way hitting is taught. Strictly "linear" swings will never produce the most consistent quality at-bats, but neither will strictly "rotational" swings. It is a combination of the two that is the most productive in game situations. So who is aking "blanket" statements in this discussion. I don't think that it's me.

Jimmy