Posted by: jlp (james.pohl@kiski.org) on Sat Feb 15 17:40:45 2003

"This is based on one sample, and is not necessarily optimal. However, it is pretty close."
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> > > Rick, I commend you on your "intensity" of efforts.
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> > > But I don't think there is any way that you can know what is or is not optimal for McGuire. Or any other hitter for that matter. Optimal for what? Hitting a 98 MPH fastball. Or a 68 MPH curveball. Or with a 0-2 count with 2 out in the bottom of the 9th with men on 1 an 3rd, down by 2 runs. And then there's the principle of individual differences.
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> > > Which is what is part of what I was attempting to convey in my response to Zig. I was also trying to show why the non science types have very little use for the science types especially when the science types try to brow beat others with their "alleged" brain power (attitude).
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> > > And why bad science keeps baseball instruction in the dark ages. By not only providing suspect information but also alienating people in the process.
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> > > And usually the science types (could have been accountants & bean counters in a previous life, no offense meant to the accountants and bean counters) attempt to use reductionism, that being if they make enough measurements they will somehow capture the essence of the perfect swing. Even if they could there's still the SMALL issue of "how do you teach it"?
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> > > But I'm sure Zig (others) have that all figured out. Or if they don't, they just have to make one or two more measurements.
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> > > And above all else these exchanges, while usually short on content, do at times provide entertainment.
> >
> > Mr. "O'Really"
> > I wonder if you could hear the cheers from those of us in the stands when you stepped up to the plate. I had a feeling that you couldn't let this go on for long without injecting some sort of reality into the discussion. It's really good to hear your thoughts. By the way, since when did O'Really become a Finnish name? Hyvaa Paivaa!
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> > >
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> Mr. Pohl,
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> I haven't read any of your contributions to the discussion yet. I look forward to hearing about what you have to say to advance everyone's knowledge about the sport.
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> You did get me thinking about all of the information available and how people use it. IMHO, the greatest thing about America is that everyone can think what they want and make their own decisions. Of course, that puts a lot of responsiblity on the individual to 1) take the time and effort to get the information they need and 2) use good judgment to make informed decisions. For the sake of the kids we teach to hit, here's a toast of well wishes to all of us, that we all do a good job at living up to that responsibility.
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> Respectfully yours,
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> Rick Lingsch

Rick,
As I said, I'm merely a fan in the stands, not a frequent poster, but like any good fan, I appreciate good talent on the field, and over the years I have come to hold in the highest esteem the comments of those who have a far greater knowledge of the game than I, such as Tom Guerry, Major Dan, rql, Mark H, to name a few,and especially the most knowledgeable of them all, the man who chose to post here under the pseudonym of "O'Really". When they say something, I listen. It's amazing how much one can learn that way.