Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Sun Jun 16 00:00:44 2002

>>> Can anyone point me to a site that clearly describes a step by step difference between linear and rotational mechanics? I've seen a few but other than saying the hands are "thrown" at the ball in a direct line (loosly stated) there's not much else.
Much <<<

Hi Len

Welcome to the site. – The differences between linear and rotational teaching are not only in mechanics, there is also a huge difference in the concept of how the swing generates bat speed. The basis of the linear concept is that energy is somehow stored in the bat or the batters’ body and can be released as the hands reach full extension. So hitters have been told that if they would shift their weight forward and quickly extend their hands (or knob), the bat-head would come flying through - like the crack of a whip.

Believing in the “stored energy” or whip concept has stalled the progress of hitters for decades. Bat speed does not come from stored energy that is released at extension. It is developed from the constant application of torque and rotational energy transfer from the time the swing is initiated until contact. And it doesn’t matter if the batter is thinking “linear” or “rotational”, both mechanics are subject to the same laws of physics. The bat speed the batter attains will be governed by two main factors, (1) how much of the body’s rotational energy is transferred by his hand-path, and (2) the amount of torque he applies to the bat.

Len, I would say that a batter taught the linear concept (about 95 %) would be more likely to stride forward and extend his hands in a straighter path at initiation, and wait until later in the swing to apply torque. The rotational hitter would keep his hands back and allow rotation to propel them into a more circular path while applying torque from initiation.

Jack Mankin