Posted by: The Hitting Guru () on Sun Feb 25 17:40:19 2007

> Hi All
>
> In a thread below, Jimmy gave his analysis of a Griffey swing, including his claim that the hands go linear rather than circular.
>
> Likewise, Teacherman said: <b>"Shoulder rotation is NOT causing that hand path. Griffey is achieving good extension through the ball."</b>
>
> Here is my response.
>
> The purpose of Jimmy’s analysis was to show why Griffey exhibited a high level (MLB) swing whereas the overhead clip we showed of John’s swing did not. He said John’s swing was too “rotational.” He pointed out that in a high level swing such as Griffey, the path of hands should straighten in the contact zone to keep the bat in the zone longer whereas John’s hands stayed circular “to and through contact.”
>
> Jimmy’s analysis of the Griffey swing included: “The Griffey clips do show what I consider the linear portion of the swing. Freeze it right at contact. The next two frames show how he tries to stay through the hitting zone as long as he can (even after contact has been made).”
>
> We took the clip Jimmy/Teacherman referred to and marked the path of Griffey’s shoulers and hands “to and through” the contact zone.
>
> You be the judge if Griffey’s hands went linear in the zone as Jimmy/Teacherman claims – or continued circular as in John’s swing. Also, as you review Griffey's swing consider Teacherman's observation: "Shoulder rotation is NOT causing that hand path."
>
> I'm less interested in what Jimmy/Teacherman think and more interested in what others see after reviewing these clips.
>
> <a href="http://www.batspeed.com/media/Griffey_analysis1.wmv"><b>Griffey - Swing Analysis</b></a>
>
> <a href="http://www.batspeed.com/media/John_CHP.wmv"><b>John - Swing Analysis</b></a>
>
> Jack Mankin

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Jack Mankin. After observing the two clips, I have come to the following conclusions:

1. Both hitters are using rotational (CHP) forces.

2. John has a good swing, but appears to be muscling up with a bit more of a mechanical swing when compared to Griffey.

3. Griffey has more of a coil/elastic load which allows him to generate more of a whip early in his swing.

4. Griffey's contact angle allows for greater extention through the ball. His contact angle (glide) promotes the release of the top hand. As a result, most of the extension release is already predetermined in the case of Griffey (or George Brett).

5. The circular hand path by itself does not mean power is a result. Pete Rose hade a circular hand path and did not hit for power.

6. Because both hitters are not shown from the same perspective, it is difficult to make a concrete absolute analysis.

7. Griffey has perhaps the most natural looking homerun swing of any great hitter. (Griffey made every phase of the game look easy.)