quote:Originally posted by Coach_May:
I never want my players afraid of striking out. I want them to look to mash the baseball not make contact. Striking out is part of the game. As they get older you can teach situational hitting. A two strike approach where your still looking to mash but expand your zone, etc. Its just my opinion but the best hitters learn at a young age to have no fear. No risk no reward.
Never be satisfied with just putting the ball in play. Your goal should be to mash it somewhere and then run like hel.
I agree with this. Young hitters need to learn how to swing the bat.
My comments above were directed to the higher levels and there, I think a player needs to know who he is. A 5'10" guy swinging out of his shoes does nobody any good except for the occasions where the pitcher makes a mistake and ends up hitting their bats. Big guys who hit for power, I believe you want them getting their hacks in and you live with the strikeouts.
BTW, there is a difference in my mind between a true power hitter and a guy that can hit a homerun. A pull-power guy generally needs to yank the ball down the lines and get a lot of the sweet spot to get it out. A power hitter can hit them out any place in the ball park whereas a pull-power guy generally will fly out to the warning track in center field. It's important to know who you are and play accordingly.