Posted by: The pro who knows () on Sun Jul 27 07:51:34 2003

i hear this all the time from commentators .can anyone tell me what they mean by this?really id like to know
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> > > > > > > The shortest path betweeen 2 distances is a straight line, so going directly to the ball is being inside the ball. Great drill is the fence drill. Good luck!
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> > > > > > The "fence drill" is a VERY BAD drill that promotes disconnection between the arms and body. And have you ever seen anyone actually swing like that??
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> > > > > You don't have to be a math whiz to understand the concept of "the shortest path betweeen 2 distances is a straight line". And yes, some of my prize graduates haved played in D-1 ball, and in one case, AAA.
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> > > > But you do need to know a little about hitting to understand that the straightest path has nothing to do with hitting the ball consistently and hard. That straight path of yours is also a slow path. Try something circular and notice the quickness. Maybe a little better instruction and your prize students would've made it all the way.
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> > > I think my record speaks for itself, and I think the record of others who share my view (like most major league hitting instructors)speaks for itself.
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> > Good point. If you were to take seriously the statement "Maybe a little better instruction and your prize students would've made it all the way", then one could also argue that as good as Bonds is, if he were to do it Joe's way, or Bill's way, he would be even better!!!
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> > Now for the benefit of Teacherman: maybe one out of every 10000 high school players play D-1 ball. Maybe one out of every 1000 D-1 players make it to the minors, one out of 1000 A ball players make it to AAA. Needless to say, to make it to AAA is quite an accomplishment, so to suggest that these players would have been even better if they had chosen "your way" is absurd. And I'll give you a few possible reasons why a D-1 player might not progress upward, and the reasons have nothing to do with these players not having done things "your way" (and players you haven't even seen!!): financial problems, girlfriend &/or family problems, injury to meniscus, torn acl, injury to achilles heel.....need I say more?
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> All those are great reasons. Just complete the list by adding poor swing mechanics.
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> And it's not "my" way. It's the right way. Study some swing clips. You won't see many, if any, mlb players take their hands straight to the ball. Doesn't happen. Can't happen. Not enough swing quickness and definately no pop if they do.
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> The only ones that do that are singles hitters and they are in the vast minority.

Teacherman, I PLAYED the game. I do respect your right of opinion, as all you can base it on is from whatever experiences you might have had. But in the circles I travel in, the primary qualification for teaching is having played the game. Tapes, video games, etc might be helpful at the youth league or church league levels, but I teach serious, advanced students of the game, and they need more than just gimmicks. While I do wish you luck in your future endeavors , one word of advice: stay away from the trap of thinking your way is the only way. Good luck to you!