The batter could ask for "time" and then ask the fielders to move a bit either right or left
For me the key for a hitter is to get hits---
Bluedog , as usual you post a load of words but say nothing in terms of answering questions
I guess it's possible to be an expert on a subject but if you can't convey the information to others in a useful way, then it is meaningless! Certainly you can't teach if you can't adequately explain and or demonstrate. I guess then "you just become a legend in your own mind (courtesy of Mac Davis)."
I'm beginning to understand....Most of you people don't understand the concept.....I really should have known that.....
I would explain it, but, I really don't think most of you want to know...
For any who do, a study on swing plane and trajectory and how they relate should do it...
Over the infield and under the outfield is when sweet spots don't quite match....If they do match, that same swing trajectory will take the ball out as long as the body is sequencing efficiently.........
I would explain it, but, I really don't think most of you want to know...
For any who do, a study on swing plane and trajectory and how they relate should do it...
Over the infield and under the outfield is when sweet spots don't quite match....If they do match, that same swing trajectory will take the ball out as long as the body is sequencing efficiently.........
bluedog
Come clean-- you won't explain--cannot explain--simply because it is the same as it always is with you---you spew words but have nothing more than the terms and phrases--
You used to talk about what you taught but never said who you taught , if anyone--
Come clean-- you won't explain--cannot explain--simply because it is the same as it always is with you---you spew words but have nothing more than the terms and phrases--
You used to talk about what you taught but never said who you taught , if anyone--
When people ask me who my favorite team is, they are always surprised to hear my answer - that I am a fan of baseball. That I'd almost rather watch the players take BP and fungos than watch a game. Kind of like watching your favorite band have a jam session in their garage!
When I watch professionals take BP, the swing plane I think Bluedog is referring to is obvious. There is an effortless nature to what is going on. The ball jumps. There are many firm line drives beyond the infield dirt with smooth, relaxed, easy swings. Balls don't just get TO the gaps, they run THROUGH the gaps.
IMHO, this thread is out of control. If a player is hitting hard hit balls at people... just keep playing. The coach won't take a kid out of the lineup if he is hitting rockets right at people. He'll say "he's due." Keep playing, keep working hard.
When I watch professionals take BP, the swing plane I think Bluedog is referring to is obvious. There is an effortless nature to what is going on. The ball jumps. There are many firm line drives beyond the infield dirt with smooth, relaxed, easy swings. Balls don't just get TO the gaps, they run THROUGH the gaps.
IMHO, this thread is out of control. If a player is hitting hard hit balls at people... just keep playing. The coach won't take a kid out of the lineup if he is hitting rockets right at people. He'll say "he's due." Keep playing, keep working hard.
Well said bobbytewks...
quote:The batter could ask for "time" and then ask the fielders to move a bit either right or left
http://aldengonzalez.mlblogs.c...ay-not-cure-all.html
TRhit, you're such a vast resource of hitting knowledge....
Keep sharing...
Keep sharing...
Bluedog
No more so than you ---my answer makes as much sense as yours does maybe even moreso
Also I have never claimed to be a hitting instructor such as you have
No more so than you ---my answer makes as much sense as yours does maybe even moreso
Also I have never claimed to be a hitting instructor such as you have
Trolling, trolling, trolling
With his head a-swollen
Bluedogggie keeps a-trolling....Rawhide.
(Just something that keeps coming to mind reading this thread. My apologies to Frankie Lane.)
With his head a-swollen
Bluedogggie keeps a-trolling....Rawhide.
(Just something that keeps coming to mind reading this thread. My apologies to Frankie Lane.)
quote:Originally posted by S. Abrams:
Trolling, trolling, trolling
With his head a-swollen
Bluedogggie keeps a-trolling....Rawhide.
(Just something that keeps coming to mind reading this thread. My apologies to Frankie Lane.)
*snicker* *snicker* *snicker* that's a pretty good one.
quote:So let me pose the same question back to you - where are you when the rest of us coaches / knowledgeable parents are talking bunt coverages, first / third defeneses, double play turns and the other aspects of the game?
Coach2709, I'm not a Coach....My area of interest is hitting....More specifically, body movement while swinging a bat...Even more specifically, sequencing the body to produce an efficient swing....
quote:If the purpose of hitting is to hit the ball hard where the defense isn't playing then why limit what you hit to just over the IF and in front of the OF?
How can you not understand that this is where the defense isn't?
quote:Take a swing path to the ball that allows the bat to cover as much area of the ball as possibly can. When you can cover as much area of the ball as you can then you are going to hit it hard. Power creates distance therefore you want to hit the ball as hard as you can so you can send it as far as you can. If the efficient swing is putting it over the IF and in front of the OF then I can't see how you are consistantly hitting the ball as hard as you can.
It's not enough to hit the ball hard if you hit it at people...If you hit with the trajectory I described, well, let's say the swing plane Ted Williams described, and you catch sweet spot of the ball and the bat, it just may carry out....If not, it will drop in front of the OF...
You seem to be having a hard time understanding this swing plane stuff for some reason....I don't know, maybe you would do better talking about defense and bunt coverages with knowledgeable parents and Coaches....
Bluedog
That's nice and great but I am a coach and I have to get in front of 25 - 30 guys and teach them how to hit a ball hard. I don't have the luxury of sitting around and waxing poetic about how this is done and that is done without ever really putting out there for people to judge. It would be nice to sit at a computer screen and say a bunch of Yoda like stuff but never teach it to anyone for results. When it's all said and done I better get most of those 25 - 30 guys to be able to do something at the plate rather than just talk about something.
I know TR has asked you who have you taught that we would know as a hitter and yet you haven't answered him. As far as I know you haven't said one name of consequence.
I do understand this and I also understand that the defense isn't in the OF corners and gaps. It's also not behind the OF or on the other side of the fence. You make it sound like it's a pretty easy thing to do - just hit it in front of the OF and over the IF. It's not that easy. Plus if that's all you do then it's going to be a long game because you are dealing with singles and going base to base. What's wrong with putting some power in it and going 2, 3, or 4 bases at one time?
It is enough to hit the ball hard because baseball is a game of averages - if you hit the ball hard most of the time they will end up being hits or the batter reaching base. That's what you want - guys on base and moving around them. The best defense is an routine ground ball or lazy fly ball but when you hit the ball hard it starts to develop teeth. Then it starts to take bites out of the defense. I like that.
First I'm not dealing with Ted Williams - I'm dealing with a kid who has a history test tomorrow. He doesn't have the natural ability, strength or honed ability through work like Ted Williams. He's got to do some math homework after he studies for the history test.
Second - please look at your last sentence because you're saying if you hit the sweet spot it may carry out but if you don't then it will drop in front of the OF but what if you take the same cut and end up with a lazy fly ball? What caused that? The wrong swing or the fact the pitcher took something off the pitch, added a little more to the pitch, made the pitch cut, threw an off speed pitch? Seriously where are your answers to this because just to say you take an efficient swing to hit the ball in front of the OF and behind the IF will not cut it and get the job done with those 25 - 30 guys I have to coach.
I don't have one problem understanding swing plane and I think I do a pretty good job of teaching it. I also do a pretty good job of teaching adjustments for hitters to make when that mean ol pitcher is trying to get them out. What seems to be the problem is you understanding the game of baseball and how it's played. How about this - I'll stick with coaching baseball players on how to be successful at the plate and you stick to talking about the philosophy of being the greatest BP hitter of all time.
But if you ever want to get your hands dirty and do some real coaching let me know and I'll help you out.
quote:I'm not a Coach....My area of interest is hitting....More specifically, body movement while swinging a bat...Even more specifically, sequencing the body to produce an efficient swing
That's nice and great but I am a coach and I have to get in front of 25 - 30 guys and teach them how to hit a ball hard. I don't have the luxury of sitting around and waxing poetic about how this is done and that is done without ever really putting out there for people to judge. It would be nice to sit at a computer screen and say a bunch of Yoda like stuff but never teach it to anyone for results. When it's all said and done I better get most of those 25 - 30 guys to be able to do something at the plate rather than just talk about something.
I know TR has asked you who have you taught that we would know as a hitter and yet you haven't answered him. As far as I know you haven't said one name of consequence.
quote:How can you not understand that this is where the defense isn't?
I do understand this and I also understand that the defense isn't in the OF corners and gaps. It's also not behind the OF or on the other side of the fence. You make it sound like it's a pretty easy thing to do - just hit it in front of the OF and over the IF. It's not that easy. Plus if that's all you do then it's going to be a long game because you are dealing with singles and going base to base. What's wrong with putting some power in it and going 2, 3, or 4 bases at one time?
quote:It's not enough to hit the ball hard if you hit it at people...
It is enough to hit the ball hard because baseball is a game of averages - if you hit the ball hard most of the time they will end up being hits or the batter reaching base. That's what you want - guys on base and moving around them. The best defense is an routine ground ball or lazy fly ball but when you hit the ball hard it starts to develop teeth. Then it starts to take bites out of the defense. I like that.
quote:If you hit with the trajectory I described, well, let's say the swing plane Ted Williams described, and you catch sweet spot of the ball and the bat, it just may carry out....If not, it will drop in front of the OF
First I'm not dealing with Ted Williams - I'm dealing with a kid who has a history test tomorrow. He doesn't have the natural ability, strength or honed ability through work like Ted Williams. He's got to do some math homework after he studies for the history test.
Second - please look at your last sentence because you're saying if you hit the sweet spot it may carry out but if you don't then it will drop in front of the OF but what if you take the same cut and end up with a lazy fly ball? What caused that? The wrong swing or the fact the pitcher took something off the pitch, added a little more to the pitch, made the pitch cut, threw an off speed pitch? Seriously where are your answers to this because just to say you take an efficient swing to hit the ball in front of the OF and behind the IF will not cut it and get the job done with those 25 - 30 guys I have to coach.
I don't have one problem understanding swing plane and I think I do a pretty good job of teaching it. I also do a pretty good job of teaching adjustments for hitters to make when that mean ol pitcher is trying to get them out. What seems to be the problem is you understanding the game of baseball and how it's played. How about this - I'll stick with coaching baseball players on how to be successful at the plate and you stick to talking about the philosophy of being the greatest BP hitter of all time.
But if you ever want to get your hands dirty and do some real coaching let me know and I'll help you out.
Coach thats one of the best posts I have ever read on this site. Simply outstanding stuff.
Coach2709, let's set the record straight....
I'm not here to appease Coaches.....I'm here to help parents and players learn how to swing a bat better....
Funny thing is, when the hitting technique discussions get going, the coaches seem to disappear.....But, they show up in the smokescreen discussions....You know, stand this way and stride like this sort of stuff...
Parents and players are my focus....They need help their coaches don't give....
You see, I think a kid should strive to understand the teaching of Ted Williams and get their homework done.....I don't consider his advice BP....
I'm not here to appease Coaches.....I'm here to help parents and players learn how to swing a bat better....
Funny thing is, when the hitting technique discussions get going, the coaches seem to disappear.....But, they show up in the smokescreen discussions....You know, stand this way and stride like this sort of stuff...
Parents and players are my focus....They need help their coaches don't give....
You see, I think a kid should strive to understand the teaching of Ted Williams and get their homework done.....I don't consider his advice BP....
Coach May - thank you very much for the kind words. It means something when a person I respect say that about my ideas.
Bluedog - let me say you are safe in the fact that you aren't appeasing me.
You want to know why the coaches disappear when hitting techniques? Because we get sick and tired of hearing guys like you spew out garbage that's designed to make you sound smart to impress the ones who don't know when it is a load of garbage.
Guys like you get on places like this and start spouting off words that are so huge that you can win games of Scrabble but don't do squat to help you win baseball games. Your like politicians - you say a bunch of stuff that doesn't make a lick of sense and you fool those who don't know any better. In fact after thinking about it some more you should be lucky that the coaches don't stick around because all we would do is show that guys like you just babble.
Guys like you create robots at the plate. You got their head so full of garbage info that they can't just let their talent lead the way. You can see them thinking at the plate "I have to do this, then this, then this, then this and then this" but by the time they get to step two they already took strike one.
Guys like you deal with absolutes. You say "this is the only way to do this and that" which is garbage. Let me tell you a little secret - there isn't a perfect swing. You can't perfect a swing and then expect to take it to the plate and reach success. Each pitch a batter faces changes what they are doing at the plate. Yeah there are several things that are consistent in terms of hands staying above the ball, good weight transfer, staying back and all that stuff. The thing you got to realize is that each plate appearance has different goals - you may get down in the count and be more defensive to let the ball travel deeper, you might be trying to elevate the ball to sac fly a runner in. There isn't one type of robot swing that will accomplish all that. You can always tell the guys who have "personal hitting gurus" who have all the answers but can't play a lick.
Trust me I wasn't saying Ted Williams is BP - I'm saying the garbage you teach is what makes great BP hitters. Groove a ball in there at about 65, straight as an arrow is pretty easy to hit. Robots can do a good job doing that.
You want kids to understand the teaching of Ted Williams? Let me give you this analogy - I'm also a football coach and I hate going to the clinics college coaches put on. Reason is they get up on stage and talk about the 6'6, 270 lb defensive or offensive lineman who can bench press a small RV and run as fast as a Volkswagon Beetle and what they teach them. Well that is a waste of time because I get to coach the 5'10 210 lb lineman who can benchpress twinkies and still think girls have cooties. Now how in the world is what they are teaching going to help me with the kids I got?
Same with you - why teach what Ted Williams did better than pretty much everyone else did can cannot copy? Get a kid, take them to a cage or field and work with them on what they do well. Try to fix the problems they have. Some kids are great at inside pitches and look like a brain damaged monkey on outside pitches and vice versa. One approach to teaching hitting will not fix those problems. How is what Ted Williams used to do going to help a kid who has picked up a baseball bat for the first time at the age of 15?
Trust me I'm smart enough to realize I don't know everything about this great game. I still have a lot to learn and that's why I love getting on here and talking to guys like Coach May, Trojan Skipper, Coach B25, SoCalHSCoach and many others (I apologize to the rest of you because I'm drawing a blank on names) because they know things I don't. I want to pick their brain and find out what they know that I can learn. I hope I know something that they can take from me. That would be really cool to know I was able to help great coaches like these guys get better.
If I remember correctly I believe you made a statement once before that you don't believe in doing any type of hitting drills. If that wasn't you then I apologize but if it was then I think that says everything that needs to be said about your "qualifications".
Bluedog - let me say you are safe in the fact that you aren't appeasing me.
You want to know why the coaches disappear when hitting techniques? Because we get sick and tired of hearing guys like you spew out garbage that's designed to make you sound smart to impress the ones who don't know when it is a load of garbage.
Guys like you get on places like this and start spouting off words that are so huge that you can win games of Scrabble but don't do squat to help you win baseball games. Your like politicians - you say a bunch of stuff that doesn't make a lick of sense and you fool those who don't know any better. In fact after thinking about it some more you should be lucky that the coaches don't stick around because all we would do is show that guys like you just babble.
Guys like you create robots at the plate. You got their head so full of garbage info that they can't just let their talent lead the way. You can see them thinking at the plate "I have to do this, then this, then this, then this and then this" but by the time they get to step two they already took strike one.
Guys like you deal with absolutes. You say "this is the only way to do this and that" which is garbage. Let me tell you a little secret - there isn't a perfect swing. You can't perfect a swing and then expect to take it to the plate and reach success. Each pitch a batter faces changes what they are doing at the plate. Yeah there are several things that are consistent in terms of hands staying above the ball, good weight transfer, staying back and all that stuff. The thing you got to realize is that each plate appearance has different goals - you may get down in the count and be more defensive to let the ball travel deeper, you might be trying to elevate the ball to sac fly a runner in. There isn't one type of robot swing that will accomplish all that. You can always tell the guys who have "personal hitting gurus" who have all the answers but can't play a lick.
Trust me I wasn't saying Ted Williams is BP - I'm saying the garbage you teach is what makes great BP hitters. Groove a ball in there at about 65, straight as an arrow is pretty easy to hit. Robots can do a good job doing that.
You want kids to understand the teaching of Ted Williams? Let me give you this analogy - I'm also a football coach and I hate going to the clinics college coaches put on. Reason is they get up on stage and talk about the 6'6, 270 lb defensive or offensive lineman who can bench press a small RV and run as fast as a Volkswagon Beetle and what they teach them. Well that is a waste of time because I get to coach the 5'10 210 lb lineman who can benchpress twinkies and still think girls have cooties. Now how in the world is what they are teaching going to help me with the kids I got?
Same with you - why teach what Ted Williams did better than pretty much everyone else did can cannot copy? Get a kid, take them to a cage or field and work with them on what they do well. Try to fix the problems they have. Some kids are great at inside pitches and look like a brain damaged monkey on outside pitches and vice versa. One approach to teaching hitting will not fix those problems. How is what Ted Williams used to do going to help a kid who has picked up a baseball bat for the first time at the age of 15?
Trust me I'm smart enough to realize I don't know everything about this great game. I still have a lot to learn and that's why I love getting on here and talking to guys like Coach May, Trojan Skipper, Coach B25, SoCalHSCoach and many others (I apologize to the rest of you because I'm drawing a blank on names) because they know things I don't. I want to pick their brain and find out what they know that I can learn. I hope I know something that they can take from me. That would be really cool to know I was able to help great coaches like these guys get better.
If I remember correctly I believe you made a statement once before that you don't believe in doing any type of hitting drills. If that wasn't you then I apologize but if it was then I think that says everything that needs to be said about your "qualifications".
I could come on here and spout off the names of all the kids I have coached over the years and all of their accomplishments in the game. And it would be total BS. It would mean absolutely nothing. Oh I could take credit for it. I could say that I taught them this and taught them that. But the fact is I did more of a better job of not messing them up than I did of helping them get better.
The players that I can take credit for are the ones that no one has ever heard about or ever will. The kid that couldnt hit a beach ball with a base fiddle and I helped him learn how to at least be competitive and put the baseball in play and help us win. If you or anyone else had the ability to teach a kid to hit like Ted you wouldnt be here on this site. You would be vacationing at your Villa or one of your Villa's around the world. Because you would be one rich dude.
Those who try to convince others that they know it all and have all the answers but then they can not point to a single kid they have ever helped puzzles me.
The great hitters I have coaches were simply great hitters. I helped them with certain small aspects of their approach. But they were just great hitters. The kids I have helped are the ones that couldnt hit a lick and I helped them learn how to hit enough to enjoy the game and help us win some games.
The reason coaches dont get into these hitting discussions is because its usually a couple of guys trying to convince each other and everyone that will join in how smart they are and how they have all the answers. When in fact they have never actually assisted one kid in having actual success in the game.
The players that I can take credit for are the ones that no one has ever heard about or ever will. The kid that couldnt hit a beach ball with a base fiddle and I helped him learn how to at least be competitive and put the baseball in play and help us win. If you or anyone else had the ability to teach a kid to hit like Ted you wouldnt be here on this site. You would be vacationing at your Villa or one of your Villa's around the world. Because you would be one rich dude.
Those who try to convince others that they know it all and have all the answers but then they can not point to a single kid they have ever helped puzzles me.
The great hitters I have coaches were simply great hitters. I helped them with certain small aspects of their approach. But they were just great hitters. The kids I have helped are the ones that couldnt hit a lick and I helped them learn how to hit enough to enjoy the game and help us win some games.
The reason coaches dont get into these hitting discussions is because its usually a couple of guys trying to convince each other and everyone that will join in how smart they are and how they have all the answers. When in fact they have never actually assisted one kid in having actual success in the game.
Coach May and Coach 2709 - I love your posts and contributions to this site.
Sometimes you can tell who is telling the truth by how humble they are. These two coaches have earned my complete respect.
I have read Ted Williams book the Science of Hitting several times. His greatest contribution imho is teaching hitters to think like pitchers imho. He even says hitters have to find their own style. IMHO, Ted was the greatest of all time. Not because of his mechanics which were tuned to his own personal style, but the way he thought about the game. I also liked his work ethic. He talked about hitting until his hands bled and I believed him.
I should add... George Brett was equally good. His style was completely different from Ted. Mechanics simply cannot explain it.
Sometimes you can tell who is telling the truth by how humble they are. These two coaches have earned my complete respect.
I have read Ted Williams book the Science of Hitting several times. His greatest contribution imho is teaching hitters to think like pitchers imho. He even says hitters have to find their own style. IMHO, Ted was the greatest of all time. Not because of his mechanics which were tuned to his own personal style, but the way he thought about the game. I also liked his work ethic. He talked about hitting until his hands bled and I believed him.
I should add... George Brett was equally good. His style was completely different from Ted. Mechanics simply cannot explain it.
Some of these posts are works of art...maybe we should publish them as a kinda "Best of..." series.
Absolutely outstanding descriptions of the practical vs. theoretical.
Only thing else that comes to mind...OUCH!!!!
Might as well close the thread; only place it will go is down as the rest of us stink it up more.
Absolutely outstanding descriptions of the practical vs. theoretical.
Only thing else that comes to mind...OUCH!!!!
Might as well close the thread; only place it will go is down as the rest of us stink it up more.
Don't close the thread....
This thread exemplifies perfectly why parents and players don't trust their coaches to teach their kids how to hit....
Absolute nonsense....The truth is, your knowledge of hitting would be exposed....
Not how I think about a kid I'm helping....But, I'm not surprised at this comment....A parent, or player, should be....
Can't believe you said this....I'll let this stand on it's own....
This is what coaches call coaching?...And, why players and parents look for outside help....
This thread exemplifies perfectly why parents and players don't trust their coaches to teach their kids how to hit....
quote:In fact after thinking about it some more you should be lucky that the coaches don't stick around because all we would do is show that guys like you just babble.
Absolute nonsense....The truth is, your knowledge of hitting would be exposed....
quote:Some kids are great at inside pitches and look like a brain damaged monkey on outside pitches and vice versa.
Not how I think about a kid I'm helping....But, I'm not surprised at this comment....A parent, or player, should be....
quote:How is what Ted Williams used to do going to help a kid who has picked up a baseball bat for the first time at the age of 15?
Can't believe you said this....I'll let this stand on it's own....
quote:Get a kid, take them to a cage or field and work with them on what they do well.
This is what coaches call coaching?...And, why players and parents look for outside help....
Bkuedog
Prove to us that your "knowledge of hitting" is superior to any of us on here---all you do is use huge words---where is your substance---baseball can be a very simple game when it comes to hitting and you deal with each individual case and not generalize like you do
Prove to us that your "knowledge of hitting" is superior to any of us on here---all you do is use huge words---where is your substance---baseball can be a very simple game when it comes to hitting and you deal with each individual case and not generalize like you do
quote:Sometimes you can tell who is telling the truth by how humble they are. These two coaches have earned my complete respect.
Coaches, especially these two, being humble?
ClevelandDad, you are misrepresenting Ted's book....Are you sure you read it?
Sure...I'll start....
Swinging a bat is about a series of body movements, or, as I call it, sequencing....
There is a flow to the sequencing of body movement....It does no good to practice a part of the sequence since you are not learning how to do that part in it's proper sequence....You will not be in the flow...
A hitter needs to learn body movements as they flow from the last movement and into the next body movement....
Painting by the numbers won't do it....
Swinging a bat is about a series of body movements, or, as I call it, sequencing....
There is a flow to the sequencing of body movement....It does no good to practice a part of the sequence since you are not learning how to do that part in it's proper sequence....You will not be in the flow...
A hitter needs to learn body movements as they flow from the last movement and into the next body movement....
Painting by the numbers won't do it....
Bluedog, When people refer to baseball gods,they are joking.
Theres no need to call that blasphemy.
Also, if you and I worship the same one God, do you think he would be pleased with the way you interact with people on here, not to mention your lack of humility?
Theres no need to call that blasphemy.
Also, if you and I worship the same one God, do you think he would be pleased with the way you interact with people on here, not to mention your lack of humility?
Again a Blue Dog post with a load of words and no substance
I'm not a Blue Dog defender, but some of the arguments against him in this thread are ridiculous. I think he has gotten under the skin of some folks.
"There isn't perfect swing". Really? Why do most MLB hitters use basically the same swing? (Ignore the stance and follow-through) It's perfect enough for me.
"There isn't perfect swing". Really? Why do most MLB hitters use basically the same swing? (Ignore the stance and follow-through) It's perfect enough for me.
Sultan
The man says nothing of substance--
The man says nothing of substance--
quote:Bluedog, When people refer to baseball gods,they are joking.
Theres no need to call that blasphemy.
Andrew, the Third Commandment says otherwise...
quote:Also, if you and I worship the same one God, do you think he would be pleased with the way you interact with people on here, not to mention your lack of humility?
Andrew, I worship the God of the Bible.....I hope you do, also....
And, I am a sinner and I could do better....I must tell you, I feel I've done fairly well, though...God does not want us agreeing with things we don't believe....But, yes, I could do better in the humbleness avenue of things...
quote:Originally posted by BlueDog:
Sure...I'll start....
Swinging a bat is about a series of body movements, or, as I call it, sequencing....
There is a flow to the sequencing of body movement....It does no good to practice a part of the sequence since you are not learning how to do that part in it's proper sequence....You will not be in the flow...
A hitter needs to learn body movements as they flow from the last movement and into the next body movement....
Painting by the numbers won't do it....
Bluedog I just wanted to let you know I've seen this post and have some thoughts I would like to reply back with but I have to get ready for a game. I'll post my reply when I get home tonight and we can bounce some ideas back and forth.
I will say I see what you are talking about but I don't agree with it at all.
quote:"There isn't perfect swing". Really? Why do most MLB hitters use basically the same swing? (Ignore the stance and follow-through) It's perfect enough for me.
This is coming from the Bambino, the Babe, himself.....
Sultan,
Now exactly when did you ever try to put hits beween the OF and IF? Please don't tell us that you were pointing at the CF fielder instead of the fence when you hit that HR off Charley Root of the Cubs.LOL When was that...1932?LOL
Your blood sugar must be getting low...go have a beer and a dog.LOL.
Say hello to Ty, Lou, Walter, Rogers, Christy and the rest for us. You guys were the best.
Now exactly when did you ever try to put hits beween the OF and IF? Please don't tell us that you were pointing at the CF fielder instead of the fence when you hit that HR off Charley Root of the Cubs.LOL When was that...1932?LOL
Your blood sugar must be getting low...go have a beer and a dog.LOL.
Say hello to Ty, Lou, Walter, Rogers, Christy and the rest for us. You guys were the best.
Is this thread about hitting mechanics, coaching a team, sarcasm, or vendettas? Or about some little baller out there trying to get some hits?
Bobby,
Nothing nearly so important. Obviously it is about the sublime, the absurd and the ridiculous.
Relax, Bobby. Most of us understand Bluedog's point about sequencing of the body and agree with him. But he will say some really silly things (hence this hijacked thread) that bear clarification. Yeah, there is alot of sarcasm thrown his way ( a two way street) in trying to get full answers but no vendettas. Baseball isn't that important.
If Bluedog's intent is really to help parents and players improve their swings, merely saying you have to sequence the body doesn't work if you never explain how to do so. You also have to be able to explain hitting to a 7 yr old, 12 yr old, 18 yr old and 23 yr old in terms they can grasp in their own way. Can Bluedog do so...probably but that seems not to be part of the agenda.
Theory vs. practical. Bobby, you teach in a practical world where results count. You saying to a struggling 11 yr student "Ya gotta sequence your body better and your swing plane is bad" and nothing else probably won't give either of you the desired results (unless you are counting on divine intervention, which may be Bluedog's secret). Reading your previous posts you do a good job explaining your points as do most on this board (we all may not always agree but at least the attempt to explain a point fosters feedback, understanding and communication).
Bluedog, while a lightning rod at times, serves a purpose in that he certainly does get others talking on the board and sharing ideas. While he uses the one line comments of an internet troll quite often, Bluedog does keep things entertaining. Often I don't think he himself even believes what he posts. He just has to decide to become part of the solution instead of part of the problem.
Nothing nearly so important. Obviously it is about the sublime, the absurd and the ridiculous.
Relax, Bobby. Most of us understand Bluedog's point about sequencing of the body and agree with him. But he will say some really silly things (hence this hijacked thread) that bear clarification. Yeah, there is alot of sarcasm thrown his way ( a two way street) in trying to get full answers but no vendettas. Baseball isn't that important.
If Bluedog's intent is really to help parents and players improve their swings, merely saying you have to sequence the body doesn't work if you never explain how to do so. You also have to be able to explain hitting to a 7 yr old, 12 yr old, 18 yr old and 23 yr old in terms they can grasp in their own way. Can Bluedog do so...probably but that seems not to be part of the agenda.
Theory vs. practical. Bobby, you teach in a practical world where results count. You saying to a struggling 11 yr student "Ya gotta sequence your body better and your swing plane is bad" and nothing else probably won't give either of you the desired results (unless you are counting on divine intervention, which may be Bluedog's secret). Reading your previous posts you do a good job explaining your points as do most on this board (we all may not always agree but at least the attempt to explain a point fosters feedback, understanding and communication).
Bluedog, while a lightning rod at times, serves a purpose in that he certainly does get others talking on the board and sharing ideas. While he uses the one line comments of an internet troll quite often, Bluedog does keep things entertaining. Often I don't think he himself even believes what he posts. He just has to decide to become part of the solution instead of part of the problem.
Ironhorse, thanks for the verse....
My hope is that Coaches read it along with myself....
My hope is that Coaches read it along with myself....
I know this thread stopped being about hitting a while ago but thought I'd let you know he's still at it. Yesterday's hit the ball nice about 275 feet right down the middle to the centerfielder he didn't even move right or left. Next at bat with 2 strikes swings at a pitch inside barely makes contact the ball falls just out of infield between short and 3rd. He has a single but all he talked about is how great that first one felt when he hit it.
quote:Originally posted by Bas3balldad:
I know this thread stopped being about hitting a while ago but thought I'd let you know he's still at it. Yesterday's hit the ball nice about 275 feet right down the middle to the centerfielder he didn't even move right or left. Next at bat with 2 strikes swings at a pitch inside barely makes contact the ball falls just out of infield between short and 3rd. He has a single but all he talked about is how great that first one felt when he hit it.
Bas3balldad - sorry for the late reply but that is great your son is / was stroking the ball. That is how the game is though. He smokes one for an out and then gets a Texas Leaguer for a basehit.
Hopefully he will keep stroking the ball and get something to show for it. Keep his head up and don't change a thing.
Keep us posted on how he's doing.
I see some truth in what everyone is saying in here, for one who can find bad in good things is the one with the issues.
Anyhow, Bluedog I get what you're saying the swing in it's sequence should match the plane of the ball and swing slightly up through it as described by rotational hitting mechanics (correct hitting mechanics).
However, some of these other guys are simply making a point that the more a player takes BP or swings off of the tee the more they refine the swing and can learn to match the plane of the ball to hit line drives that aren't low enough to be caught by an infielder but not high and soft enough to be caught by an outfielder.
Then there's always luck, sometimes you hit a bad spot, the wind catches your ball, you're in a bigger park than normal you are in a smaller park than normal, the outfielders played out of position and it got hit there, the other team had 8 players and so they had 2 outfielders playing the gaps where most of the hits would have been doubles but instead are outs (happened to our team once, cost us some runs).
There's also the timing aspect of it, you can't hit a ball solidly without proper timing. Letting and inside pitch travel on you won't do any good just like swinging early on an outside pitch that's down won't do you any good, even if you make contact it'll be massive weak sauce.
There's truth in what everybody is saying while I don't believe anyone can encompass the whole truth (myself included) we can all piece together parts of it to give ourselves a better understanding, (I believe this applies in religion and faith too, since you guys have brought it up a little bit.)
Anyhow, Bluedog I get what you're saying the swing in it's sequence should match the plane of the ball and swing slightly up through it as described by rotational hitting mechanics (correct hitting mechanics).
However, some of these other guys are simply making a point that the more a player takes BP or swings off of the tee the more they refine the swing and can learn to match the plane of the ball to hit line drives that aren't low enough to be caught by an infielder but not high and soft enough to be caught by an outfielder.
Then there's always luck, sometimes you hit a bad spot, the wind catches your ball, you're in a bigger park than normal you are in a smaller park than normal, the outfielders played out of position and it got hit there, the other team had 8 players and so they had 2 outfielders playing the gaps where most of the hits would have been doubles but instead are outs (happened to our team once, cost us some runs).
There's also the timing aspect of it, you can't hit a ball solidly without proper timing. Letting and inside pitch travel on you won't do any good just like swinging early on an outside pitch that's down won't do you any good, even if you make contact it'll be massive weak sauce.
There's truth in what everybody is saying while I don't believe anyone can encompass the whole truth (myself included) we can all piece together parts of it to give ourselves a better understanding, (I believe this applies in religion and faith too, since you guys have brought it up a little bit.)
3ball,
Glad your son is hitting and glad his coach is allowing him to continue to try. Same thing is happening with my son. Hitting directly to fielders, but is getting fewer and fewer chances to improve. My son is beating out the throws 3 out of 4 times and making it to first, but this doesn't help his average either. Any advice?
Glad your son is hitting and glad his coach is allowing him to continue to try. Same thing is happening with my son. Hitting directly to fielders, but is getting fewer and fewer chances to improve. My son is beating out the throws 3 out of 4 times and making it to first, but this doesn't help his average either. Any advice?
If he's hitting the ball at a fielder and then beating out a throw 3 out of 4 times he should be hitting .750. If I assume some are errors then the least his OBP should be is .750.
No coach sits a kid that gets on 75% of the time.
No coach sits a kid that gets on 75% of the time.
