Posted by: Brian (support@batspeed.com) on Sun May 9 22:57:32 2004

>>>Rob, I did not ask for Jack's resume. I asked for Brian's. As far you go, I see you are mentioning your baseball background again. I thought it did not matter, but you keep bringing it up, but keep playing hide and seek. I don't care where you played anymore than you care where I played. I am interested in who has been taught and where are they at.If there are no success stories, what good is the information that you have?
> > >
> > > Doug<<<
> >
> >
> > Who cares what my resume is Doug. I played ball for about 12 years. Had Jack undertaken his efforts earlier, it could have been a much different story. I have no regrets at all. I am happily engaged in a new career unrelated to baseball, though I enjoy BatSpeed.com and the discussions that occur here.
> >
> > The real question is what is your resume because you are the one espousing unfounded theories. Who did you teach from a young age that made it to the pros? Most pro batting coaches are none other than former pro hitters who retired and thereby gained the "stature" to become a "pro batting coach," regardless of their understanding of batting mechanics. Very few major league coaches have actually transformed a decent hitter from youth and made him into a great hitter. They work with player who have already made it to the pros. This is why many pro coaches believe that you have to "be a born hitter" because they do not know how to turn a fair hitter into a great hitter. That is not very impressive in my opinion nor are your arguments.
> >
> > ONCE AGAIN, if you believe that the information presented on this site is incorrect, then describe exactly where the batting mechanics taught on this site differ from the batting mechanics used by Barry Bonds or Sammy Sosa - two of the best hitters in the game.
> >
> > Let’s put your baseless theory to the test, but you won't do it. Since you can't discuss the mechanics, you are left with ad hominem attacks on this site. Very weak on your part, but I'll expect more of the same because that is all I have seen from you so far.
> >
> > Brian
> > BatSpeed.com
> >
> > PS. It appears that you also post frequently on Setpro, so do you discount everything Nyman writes because he did not play pro ball?
> >
> >
>
> What baseless theory are you talking about Brian? No attacks on this site Brian.....you were the one who wanted to pick on me, and so far you have not given me any information on hitting at all. All you have done is bash the pros......even George Brett. Have you talked to George about hitting, or are you just so anti-pro ball that you presume that he does not know anything. You have still not given me an answer about Mays, Mantle and Ruth!!! why not? As far as Setpro goes, I have recieved some very good info over there.......why did you ask? When you talk about "most pro batting coaches", have you interviewed them and studied what they teach or are you just so anti-pro that you think none of them know anything compared to yourself? As far as turning a fair hitter into a great hitter, who is the fair hitter that you have turned into a great one Brian?
>
> D

Hi Doug:

We have gone round and round on this issue, and I think we are probably beating a dead horse. We both have several pending questions and I'll touch on yours, but I think that we've about covered it, unless you have something further that you want to talk about.

First, I did not start picking on you, and I will not let you get away with distorting what has occurred. As you will recall, I simply stated a position that players will better understand the swing by reviewing sources such as BatSpeed.com/Mankin and Epstein and maybe a few others, rather than by listening to the pro commentators/coaches. I gave several examples why I believe my statement is true, and in response you personally attacked me for making those comments, suggesting that you have to be a "crappy hitter" to have an opinion, demanding my resume, stating that all of my information has come from "dad" (as if I were a teenager), and other ways of discrediting me when you know nothing of what you speak. I have responded accordingly and tried to focus the message on swing mechanics, but you have not responded to my question regarding the mechanics taught by BatSpeed.com and its comparison to Bonds and Sosa.

I am also not a pro basher. I am a huge fan of George Brett and I use him as an example because he was a great rotational hitter who did not use the mechanics that Lau Sr. writes in his book. Brett was the one person who Jack (and I) watched thousands of times and he was a primary influence in our understanding rotational swing mechanics. I also give a great deal of respect to pro players in general because they have attained the heigth of success. To support your position, you try to twist the issue by referring to "pro basher," but that is not the issue. The question is whether pro coaches are teaching the mechanics used by the best hitter. As I have said, I have watched too many professional commentators and coaches give opinions regarding the swing that is far from fact. Of course, this does not apply to all coaches, as evidenced by the transformation in swing mechanics over the last 10 years. It appears that pro coaches are now understanding the swing much better today, but many coaches are still teaching the linear mechanics that they were teaching in the 70s and 80s, and it will not help their players.

As I have said, I believe that you bring a good perspective to the board and you have raised many compelling arguments. We simply have a different point of view as to the mechanics that the majority pro coaches were (and are) teaching.

I guess if I were to ask one final question, why would I have to talk to George Brett to understand his mechanics. Brett may promote linear mechanics, but those were not the mechanics that he exhibited. If it were that simple, everyone would understand mechanics, but it is not. The only way to understand swing mechanics is to watch video and see what is really occuring during the swing. Mickey Mantle once gave an interview in which he said that it was very important to roll the wrists at contact. However, Mantle did not roll the wrists until after contact. Thus, the real gift that we were given from the all time greats, including Mays, Mantle, Ruth, McGwire, Bonds, etc. is the mechanics that they used, not the words that they spoke. Too many times their words do not match their actions.

Brian
BatSpeed.com