Posted by: Tom (mentzert@hotmail.com) on Tue Jun 3 15:00:46 2008

I think what John was trying to convey was that coaches tend to wrap themselves in the never ending search for the perfect swing, the perfect correction to a swing. While I agree analyzing every at bat can be helpful, most coaches don't want to put the time in to perfect the swing, rather they want instant gratification and to those coaches Ted's techniques, mechanics won't do...because they require the one thing no one in today's society seems to have....time, and that is time in the cage, on the field, at the Tee, etc! I am thoroughly convinced that I can take a kid from a non-athletic lineage and make them a good hitter using techniques in Ted's book, I've done it, it works!
I think it was mentioned in another post that the most challenging hitters are the ones who have been taught improperly, boy is that the truth. Normally if you rebaseline a kid they don't hit as well as they used to right away while their muscles learn the correct movement. This also requires the parents to buy into what you are trying to do for them. Kids with bad techniques get exposed as they get older, happens all the time.
On a personal note, my 11 year old son has the Science of Hitting book and it is clear to me that while he may have read parts, he didn't read the whole thing. I'm unfortuntate that I am away and can't watch him play. He told me that he was getting sawed off and that he adjusted by opening his stance (his words). I was disgusted that rather then recognizing that the pitcher was jamming him and that should he swing he needed to open his hips and attack the ball out in front of the plate he chose to exhibit poor technique. We discussed it in length and I forced him to tell me what was happening rather then spoon feed it to him....bottom line is that his coach didn't correct him, but rather let him make that adjustment. He's been taught well, is talented and an intelligent player, but still makes mistakes, picks up bad habits and needs constant reinforcement through practice.