EXPERTS

In lieu of several discussions on so many different threads and also in lieu of some of the Player Profiles I have recieved for tryouts at my school, I've decided to add the following to our Parent's Meeting Handout. While some will disagree, and I can instantly create a list of those that will, this is from my perspective as a coach.

EXPERTS:

Expert is defined as an authority or specialist on a given subject.

While this sounds fantastic, the reality is that Experts are a DIME A DOZEN. Their opinions vary like the wind. What style of hitting is better, linear or rotational? Ask and you shall receive multitudes of opinions. Recently, I heard one college coach commenting on why the linear approach to hitting is superior simply because “that’s how Bobby Bonds and Albert Pujos hit.” Instantly, I knew that I didn’t want my child playing for this guy. However, I saw a room full of parents shaking their heads in agreement. They were listening to an EXPERT. Do you “throw your hands at the ball” or “keep your hands inside the ball?” One is linear and one is rotational. In other words, one requires a downward swing at the ball and one requires that you “match the plane of the ball.” Do you understand the simple rhyme, “Body and hands are better together?” Reality, there is a portion of the swing that incorporates both. Besides hitting, those same EXPERTS have a multitude of opinions on pitching. I’ve actually heard one EXPERT state that he gets increased motion from his pitchers by teaching them to throw “against their arm slot.” First, what does that mean and secondly, why would you want your son changing their natural arm slot? What about “scapula loading?” This is the new catch phrase in pitching? Do you understand that another phrase for scapula is the shoulder blades? If you believe in “scapula loading” then do you also believe in swinging the leg around and down instead of down and forward? GETS CONFUSING DOESN’T IT? Can you believe that we can find EXPERTS on every phase of the game that disagree with each other? EXPERTS can’t even agree on the benefits of icing a pitcher’s arm after a game.

Coach Butler, this is all fine and good as well as somewhat confusing but what is your point? My point is very simple. One young man came up and filled out a tryout questionnaire. His Dad wanted me to know that they had paid a lot of money on “Professional Lessons” and they’d appreciate it if I wouldn’t try to change him. Understandable! Many of you have also paid a small fortune on “Private Lessons.” Great! Your son was able to be around baseball. Please note that we don’t believe in change simply for change sake. However, when and if we determine that your son needs to make adjustments and or wholesale changes we will suggest those changes for the good of our program. Isn’t that what a “Coach” is supposed to do? When it comes to our program and what has been successful for the past 20 years, WE are the EXPERT. As a Parent, please feel free at any time to then remove your son from the program should you feel that your son is being taught something against what your EXPERT has taught. After all, you have paid some “Professional” a lot of money for those “Professional Lessons.”