“Hitters are Both Linear and Rotational…Absolutely!”
Dennis Tiefenthaler, Co-Founder, Seam Readers
Ladies and gentleman, welcome to Seam Reader’s fourteenth blog of all time. Each week after our blog and videos are presented to the baseball and softball world, we sit for a few days discussing and defending our methods and “how we learned” to men, women, and youngsters all over the planet.. It is gratifying and humbling to discuss the nuances of hitting to a dad from Australia as to why his son might be hitting the ball in the air too much, or to others in the UK who want to know if the best way to hit an inside pitch is to recognize it early and hit it out in front of the plate. These are just a couple of examples of many inquiries we receive on a daily basis. One question recently asked was “What are the differences between Linear and Rotational hitting mechanics?” and if we could give our opinions on the subject. We figured how difficult could this be? Once again, we find out that trying to remain neutral in our assessment and trying to find a consensus among hitting experts is almost impossible. So here is our effort at defining the almost undefinable. Wish us luck.
Linear is defined as “being arranged in nearly a straight line.” Rotational is a “motion of an object around a circular path in a fixed orbit.” In order to incorporate this into hitting a baseball or softball, Seam Readers believe we need to be able to notice that everything that happens prior to swinging the bat is mostly a linear motion. Hands and weight, loading “straight” back while the step-to-read the pitch is “straight” towards the pitcher. Once the front foot hits the ground the rotational part of the swing takes over. Every part of the body, working in almost perfect unison. Each part almost instantaneously firing behind the other – today they call this the kinetic chain. What part of the body is considered to be the most important part of the rotational process? Front foot? Front knee? Front side hip? Front elbow? Front shoulder? Back elbow? Back hip? Back knee? Back foot?
In conclusion. Seam Readers believe that both Linear and Rotational components are needed to have a quick strong and consistent swing. Oh! The most important part of the body to start the rotational part of the swing? Seam Readers will always believe it is the EYES. Fixed orbit? I think we have already answered that question. Have a great week.
At Home Drill: The drill this week involves a tee and a broomstick. The broomstick goes behind the hitters back with them holding it with their arms. Then the player assumes their stance at the tee and must use their hips to fully rotate and hit the ball off the tee.
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