Which is a Better Baseball Swing? Linear or Rotational?

Swinging a baseball bat involves plenty of science. For one thing, a baseball actually gets deformed the moment it hits the bat, which also changes its speed and determines the amount of force that the ball generates. These two factors can make or break an inning, which is why batters need to practice their swings regularly using baseball batting cages.

Generally speaking, there are two types of baseball swings. First, batters can counter a fastball with a linear swing, which is done by flipping his wrists and extending his arms outwards without having to rotating his body. Second, a rotational swing generates more powerful hits but requires lots of practice due to body torque and precise elbow drops, among others.

The rotational swing is the batting technique of choice for professional baseball players. In some cases, players combine both swings to counter rotational fast pitches.

Fortunately, you don't need to be on the field to practice your swings. You can set up a batting cage with a pitching machine to help you master both swings, among others. Take note that, in a real game, pitchers will toggle between pitching techniques to confuse you. Practice hitting the ball at different speeds to anticipate anything that comes your way.