Posted by: Scott W (stwinton@netzero.net) on Mon Jul 24 23:45:04 2006

> >>> I would like to know is to how the development of quick hands occure? My High School coach saids that my hands aren't extending through the zone quick enough to generate ample power. I've mentioned, to him, about rotational mechanics, and utilising the core. However, he always smarks: it's a load of rubbish that's been put to the table by theorists! What should I do to convince his method is wrong? <<<
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> Hi Kregen
>
> I would venture to say that many readers of your post think you are just one of the unlucky few to have a coach still teaching linear batting principles. I am sad to report that is not the case. From my experience in the field with high school coaches and the e-mails I receive from distraught players and parents, I must conclude that the sentiments expressed by your coach are more the norm than the exception.
>
> You ask, “What should I do to convince his method is wrong?” – I seriously doubt there is any amount of evidence a player can present to his coach that would lead him to admit that his teaching principles may be flawed – that would require an open-mindedness far beyond the norm.
>
> You might find it more productive to have your coach come to this site and point out on the Discussion Board the “rubbish” he finds in the rotational principles presented at BatSpeed.com. Who knows, after reviewing a few clips of the best hitters, we might at least raise some question for him to consider.
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> Jack Mankin

I am a HS baseball coach...

What current big league hitting instructor/organization is buying into this site? What major college program is purely a batspeed convert? When the great minds of the game converge to talk about the art and science of hitting what do they talk about...?

You (Jack) are quick to condemn the establishment without knowing whom is doing out the instruction and why its being given...are there bad little league/high school/college coaches out their, YES! Is their only one way to skin a cat, hell no! Is batspeed the Holy Grail to good hitting, IMO its pretty far down on the list.

I’ve yet to ever see a coach keep a hitter out of a lineup that mashing because the hitter won’t change his style to the coaches style…if your hitting you’ll play and you probably won’t hear a whole lot…if you not hitting be open to change.

Purely tuning out what a coach is saying because its not your way is the WRONG way to approach this problem. Talk, study, understand what the goal is, understand offense, listen to the instruction and come to an understanding of where the instruction is coming from and why it’s coming. Watch film, chart your contact, study what you did after each AB, what pitch did you hit, where did you hit it, what was the result, was it hit hard? Why or Why not? What was the location, what was the count, where you looking for it? If not, why not? Were you not looking for it, if so, how did you react? If you got out did 'he' get you out or did you get yourself out? That’s the game within the game...

The coach and player relationship is a partnership, its not adversarial. It’s not about sticking to one way, or for that matter converting all players into one mold...it’s about finding the right way for each player. If your coach is worth a dime, he has the teams, and your best interest in mind and I guarantee he will be open to you questioning his coaching, however it’s got to be done and framed from the perspective that you are attempting to learn about hitting and bettering yourself, if its questioning coming from the perspective that you know more then him and you don’t trust him it will get ugly...Its about trust...its obvious from the sound of your tone that you don't trust your coach…that’s a bad and ugly road to go down. Keep communicating because at the end of the day he will be making out the lineup…if you ain’t hitting and your not attempting to change you will not play IMO very much longer.

A side not, playing/flourishing at each level and moving up the baseball hierarchy is akin to Darwinism…adjust and adapt or perish. See the Chad Bradford example in “Moneyball.”

peace
SW