[Matt]

EdZ-Would you really say that circle delivery is "much less powerful" than straight line?

I would say it's a viable procedure but not the best. A circle path requires much more handspeed in the downstroke because of the wide arc - which means less endless belt effect at the bottom. With a straight-line path, there is more "whip" at the bottom due to the endless belt effect.

Circle path works best with little axis tilt and more of a full sweep release. The straight line path starts from shoulder height and is more compatible with the snap release types. Like Annikan said, a real Swinger with an End backstroke position must use a Top Arc and Straight Line path because he must first return the hands to shoulder height (in an arc) before straight-lining to the ball. The Hitter, who preferably stops at the Top backstroke position, can use straight-line thrust immediately at startdown.

One must be careful here because release type and delivery path need to comply with each other. There are some bad component variations that could be executed here and one must be sure to avoid them.