Linear AND Rotational Hitting The debate goes on and on about whether hitting should be more linear or rotational in nature.  When analyzing videos of professional hitters, you'll see a balance of both in hitters' swings.  The negative action (load) of a hitter's swing favors the linear side with the hands slightly edging backwards.  There is a slight shoulder turn back as well but no drastic rotation occurs.  Too much shoulder turn would cause the hitter's eyes to move away from the ball.  Once the stride foot is down flat then the hands pull forward in a linear fashion.  If the hands cast "around the ball" then the hitter will have trouble getting to an inside fastball as well as pulling out in front of an outside offspeed pitch.  This is why the "to the ball" action should be more linear than rotational.  Right before contact is made the swing then becomes a bit more rotational.  The hips and shoulders square up to the ball and explode through contact.  A hitter without rotation at this point would "slap or punch" the ball instead of driving through it.