Posted by: Todd Carroll (coachcarroll59@hotmail.com) on Mon Nov 27 20:54:32 2006

This debate is not as easy as it might seem, and old-timers will adamantly swear that you have to swing down at the ball. In studying most big league hitters, there first move is in fact a downward movement with the hands to get them into the "power slot" which is right about shoulder height. From there they stay on a mostly even plane and depending on the height of the pitch they are usually swinging slightly up at point of contact. The constant is that they are palm up and palm down at contact, making it impossible to be on top of the ball, they are trying to square it up and get as much barrel on the ball as possible.
As far as credentials go, the pro guys that speak at the ABCA convention seem to make the most sense to me, but it's all about results, and a lot of great coaches have vastly different ways of helping their players to succeed.

TC






Hi all,
>
> I have engaged in a ceaseless debate on a local forum regarding an old subject...whether or not hitters swing down or up to the ball. Most instructors and coaches in my area definitely fall into the "down to the ball" camp. In entering the debate, I provided detailed videos showing MLB hitters clearly swing up to contact at a 5-10 degree angle..not the diagonally down path that everyone seems to teach.
>
> In responding to this debate, one "advisary" claimed that his son takes hitting lessons from a current MLB hitting instructor, who, in fact preaches to swing down...and regardless of my video analysis, his credentials as a MLB hitting coach trump anything I could possibly present.
>
> Jack, I hate to make a request, but I believe that you were once in a similar situation in debating Reggie Smith. If possible, could you share that experience and could anyone give their opinions on how much weight pro credentials carry when debating these topics...how do you feel about the idea that a non-professional coach could not possibly be as knowledgable as a Pro coach...
>
> Thanks