Posted by: swb (batspeed@integritycorp.com) on Thu Apr 25 22:47:49 2002

Hi Chip,

Well, first of all, I don't have Dusty's book. I loaned my SECOND copy out (loaned the 1st copy out last season, never got it back, and I never learn!), and haven't seen it in a while. So, we're relying on my poor memory here.

Second, as I recall from his book (which I still think is excellent and well organized, overall), he is an advocate of a "swing down", "inside-out", etc. school of thought. But, I'd sure wouldn't want to be guilty of mis-quoting him (or mis-characterizing what he teaches), and I just don't have the "hard copy" documentation at the moment. I hope that I'll get it back in a few weeks, and will then readdress this issue with verbatim quotes.

In fact, I have a half dozen books on hitting, and while all of them ephasize hip rotation, and all have some unique material in them, most are about 70% redundant, and they all teach what Jack calls "linear" hitting mechanics. That's one reason I put so much time into studying hitting mechanics in the past couple of months. You don't pull a "180 degree" turn on your kids (and the players you coach) without knowing for absolute certain what you're getting into. I stopped coaching hitting, and "went to school", which is a problem, because the team isn't hitting, and badly needs a hitting coach.

I wish I could afford to pick up Mike Epstein's videos, and compare them with what Jack M. teaches. But I've spent several thousand $$$ on equipment, books, and other aids in the past year, and my wife objects just a bit. I'll have to wait a while. The kids aren't all that much better on the diamond, but boy-oh-boy, is "Dad" getting an education.

Regards.. Scott