Posted by: Maury () on Mon Jul 8 17:07:55 2002

Hi All
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> > > > There is a long, long (but interesting) thread “Conflict,” that ran clear off the page. I am bringing it to the top of the page as a new thread. You can read the entire thread below, but to bring the readers up to speed, I have brought the last few posts up.
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> > > > The point is, you may THINK there is a disparity between "rotationalism" and "linearism" that doesn't actually exist.
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> > > > I would say that first depends on your definitions but please expand on your statement.
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> > > > I suggest to you that though you may think you have all the answers you don't, and before trashing the so-called linearists you shuld seek answers from them & you might learn something.
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> > > > As I am now doing? Of course it's hard to learn something if you think you already have all the answers.
> > > > I think most here are very interested in hearing dissenting views. Just be prepared for a detailed and thorough examination of those views. This can be painful for those who are emotionally committed to a certain point of view but not really prepared to answer all questions relating to that point of view.
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> > > > You make interesting assertions and maybe you are right or partially right. Too early to tell. You have the floor. "and all of your assumptions about what is linear is based on nothing more than guys like Lau saying things like "knob to the ball".
> > > > That would be an oversimplification as I'm sure you realize."
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> > > > No that is not an oversimplification. All hitting instructors teach the obvious, that the hips must rotate.But you take a term like "knob to the ball",and because you THINK it causes something to happen (which it doesn't) you attach a label to it ("linearism")
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> > > > I'm sure different coaches mean different things with different cues. If an instructor wanted you to move your hands across in front of your chest keeping your bathead back near your body until arm extension had been substantially completed, how would you feel about that?
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> > > > For instance: http://www.baseball-excellence.com/sbaseballforums/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=1&Topic=1121
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> > > > Here's another example: http://www.hittingacademy.com/ohalibrary/picpages/bottomhandpullspics1and2.cfm
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> > > > If these guys were doctors, they wouldn't be able to afford their malpractice insurance! (Mark H)
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> > > > In the pictures on ((((http://www.hittingacademy.com/ohalibrary/picpages/bottomhandpullspics1and2.cfm))) mentioned above shows most of the things wrong with hitting instruction from "experts."
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> > > > Is there any doubt that the best place to hit the ball is in a circle about the size of a 1/2 dollar coin on the back of the ball directly oppsiet the pitcher? Look at the picture, from the angle of the bat how much of that circle is available to be hit? I would guess that from that angle less then 10% of that spot can be hit by the bat.
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> > > > If you imagine that the full spot is facing the bat and the batter hits the spot in the center the ball will be driven directly into the ground in front of the plate. Which buy the way is you will see batters who use this system will do over and over again.
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> > > > Also, look at the position of the batter's body in the second picture. Hips and shoulders are wide open and the bat has not even approached the contact area. Its pointed directly back and all the torque of the body has be spent. This combined with the angle of the bat will produce a weak ground ball.
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> > > > Also, in the first picture notice the height of the guys head compared to the background. Then do it in the second picture when the swing is in motion. His head has droped .,While its difficult to be accurate I wouild say its about a 5 or 6 inch drop. Droping the head will make it difficult to hit the ball let alone a spot on the ball.
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> > > > I think its interesting they this guy put these pictures up and is unaware of what they are showing. (F. J.)
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> > > > You are clearly misinterpreting the pictures. If you pull the knob with the bottom hand, you are establishing a direction for the bat to go. In this case he is swinging at the ball on the T. He pulls to the T. All he is doing is explaining hand path, or what the hands do. In reality, if you do this, the ball will be pulled to the spot on the back of the ball as the hips rotate. Hips rotating alone will not get the bathead to the ball. The hands have to do something to get it there. If your hands take the path he describes the bathead will go exactly where it needs to AS THE HIPS ROTATE. (Richard Schenck)
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> > > > You are misinterpreting the pictures. (Maury)
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> > > > Here is one of my "favorite" sites for understanding the difference between a "short" and the "long" swing. Check out -- http://www.clutchhitting.com/pages/ss.htm
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> > > So in THEIR "short swing" I have to fully extend my arms and THEN get the bathead out in front of the ball. In the rotational swing I just have to get the bathead out in front of the ball. WHO has the short swing????
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> > I don't recall saying you had to fully extend the arms. Apparently you don't understand "knob to the ball". It requires little or no extension if the rear elbow is kept in the slot. The photo shows a line telling the hitter to pull his hands from the back shoulder area to his front hip area. No mention of extending or casting. Try it you'll find is useful. The key here is the "cue" v "reality". The hands to the ball is the cue. Do they ever get there? NO! Why? because of the hips rotate. But they do get to the front hip.
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> Good point.

Richard I think you made an excellent point. Hopefully this will clarify matters for the skeptics who don't believe the shortest distance is a direct route to the target.