Posted by: BHL (Knight1285@aol.com) on Tue Jul 27 16:18:07 2004

>>> Johnny Damon has talent, but he is not a pull hitter. He sprays the ball all over the field, and that is why he is successful and makes a lot of money.
> > > > ##
> > > > Without talent, technical strategy won't do you much good. You will be playing in a beer league. <<<
> > > >
> > > > Hi Doug
> > > >
> > > > You are a professional scout, and therefore, what you convey in your posts to coaches and players carries a lot of weight. In your last couple of posts, you have stressed “talent. ” I was just wondering what message do you mean to send?
> > > >
> > > > Many young players have not yet acquired the skills that would allow them to reach their full potential as a hitter. It would be sad if they took your words to mean that all good hitters are just born with the “talent” to hit. They might conclude from this that perfecting their timing and swing mechanics has little or nothing to do with the end result. They might conceive that if they had talent they would be hitting – so why spend the time and energy perfecting something they don’t have?
> > > >
> > > > I am sure this is not the message you mean to convey. However, I do think it would be more constructive had you described players like Damon and McGwire as hitters who acquired the skills to reach their full potential rather than just saying they have “talent.” Many very talented players never acquire the batting skills to become great.
> > > >
> > > > I would agree with you that only a few possess the potential to become great pro hitters. And as a scout, I believe you would agree it is extremely difficult to determine what the true potential of a hitter is (or in your terms - how much final talent he will achieve). Mike Piazza was not drafted until the 63rd round and I am sure you could sight many similar cases. Until proven otherwise, I will continue to teach skills to my students as if they all have that potential.
> > > >
> > > > Jack Mankin
> > >
> > > Jack, My post was directed at BHL and his pull everthing ideas, not you. I respect your teachings and your patience, but if BHL is teaching youngsters, they will end up in a beer league or playing slow pitch like he does. Run, field, throw, hit and power along with make up make a real good player and genetics play a big part. What kids need to do is play in more baseball games and get more AB's and innings pitched etc.
> > > Doug
> > > >
> > > > Hi Tom Waz,
> >
> > I just want you know I support Jack's last point.
> >
> > As for you, Doug, the league I played in was not a beer league, since not one of the sponsors condoned drinking. I just want you to know to know that I am a teetotaler, and, therefore, your attacks on my credibility are unfounded. I have an idea: how about attacking Mac or Jr., Griffey for pulling every pitch. I am sure they will find a person who preaches credibility--yet using a condescending tone towards the major leagues even though he never played in them--extremely comical.
> >
> > One person I taught is in the process of getting a scholarship, since he has ability to use his head, as well as his body. This small player pulls all his pitches, and inflates his statistics, thereby gaining "sneaky power."
> >
> > Sincerely,
> > BHL
> > Knight1285@aol.com
> >
> > P.S. If you want to intimidate, do it on the site where you moderate discussion. Don't try to do it here, because it won't work.
> >
> > We can all learn something from each other, Doug, and that comes from dissent, not mindless discipleship.
>
> BHL, I don't moderate on any site, and I am not a disciple of anyone. If you feel intimidated by an old man like myself, you would have been easy pickings in the batters box about 30 years ago. trying to pull a pitch from the prone position is very difficult.

Hi Doug,

You believe that pulling all pitches is difficult. If this is so, please give me specific objections to my point of view, and I will do likewise.

BHL