One Question about Hitting Techniques Changing.

BBScout,

Very true. If you don't have at least the minimum amount of batspeed needed for whatever level you are facing, the best mechanics won't be enough.

The thing that strikes me is that many people cannot see the better technique of most of today's hitters but it's easy for them to see the changes in basketball over the years.

I can see them and I think they are as obvious and important as those in basketball. Who else can see them as plainly?

SBK,

Here is what I find most interesting about the subject.

We have many gurus out there today - spreading the "word". They all claim to know "the answer" and many of them vehemently disagree with each other over even the most basic of issues.

Lets assume one of them is correct for a moment.

Based on their positions - that means all the rest of them are dead wrong.

I guess the poor sap that picks just ONE of them - better pick the right one. LOL

Hell, that's a great improvement.

If there's one that's right that's 100% improvement.

If the advancement of basketball techniques would be the same as what is going on in baseball, players would still be shooting the old two handed push shots.

It also amazes me that even the most obvious seems to be confusing to many. It’s OK to say you’ve learned something new. Hot tip, if you are still swinging like you did years ago, there is most likely a better way.

I remember in high school, I used to take pride in being able to stand closer to the fence than anyone and get my bat through without touching it. In order to do so, I had to throw my hands forward and lead with the knob of my bat. Looking back and comparing that technique to what the best hitters do today, makes me about puke. While back then I thought I was heading the right direction, in reality, I probably couldn’t do much more to impede my hitting.

I eventually found a better way and had some success. I couldn’t imagine the success I would have enjoyed if I could have followed my instruction today. It’s too late for me, but my boys and other young players get to take advantage of it.

The sad thing is that it seems that quite a few youngsters are still being taught methods that are antiquated yet in basketball, I don’t see anyone teaching kids to shoot how their grandparents might have.

Some of it is laziness and the rest is comfort. Comfort because they are repeating what they were taught; laziness because they don't make the effort to learn and keep up. A local high school coach is this way. He repeats what he learned twenty years ago as a player at a small, private college. So far as I can tell, he has made virtually no effort since to learn and progress.

I have had the peasure to meet with and learn from many hitting instructors over the years. Not many that disagree though. Maybe some terminology changes, and some new things are always brought out, but thats part of learning this game. As long as I will teach this game, I will continue to learn about it, and so says the many instructors I have met over the years.

Coachric

SBK,

Have to agree… It’s odd how so many things change and how certain things don’t.

Things do tend to change very slowly in baseball compared to other sports. Yet we all know that there is better technology these days, better athletes, better training methods, better opportunities, much better equipment, etc., etc.

Why is it so hard to think there might be better technique? I think it’s because baseball is a game that allows everyone to think they are an expert. Everyone learns a little and considers it a lot… They are experts! My dad taught me how to hit… There is no better way! My son hits .400 so why change anything? People don’t easily admit they were wrong and found a better way. After all, that would mean they might not have been the expert they thought they were.

The old saying, if it aint broke… don’t fix it, applies to many things, but it can be a real eye opener when the baseball player finds the level where it really is broke and should have been fixed years ago.

The only thing I feel fairly certain of is even if there is one absolute way of doing something… It will change and be improved, in time! Why would baseball be any different than everything else?

PG,

Great ending point.

The learning in this game never stops IMO. And if it does - you do it at your own peril.

(Well - I guess it stops after they make you into a leather glove (inside joke) - LOL)

In my opinion, basketball and ballball have changed due to rule changes.

The only new techniques in baseball are the way that balls and bats are produced.

A few new pitches were developed.

In basketball, the game has deteriorated since the 70's.

Without rule changes, players are now allowed to lounge in the three second zone, take more than one and a half steps on layups and carry their dribble. It's a different game today.

Baseball today has players who cannot bunt, do not hit strategically, cannot throw from the outfield, have poor sliding techniques, are poor role models for youth and at best, are not even decent representatives of the game.

What have I been missing?

Willie

We are in a different time now--everything has changed--

There are literally thousands of college coaches across the country who are always open to learning new and better ways to teach hitting, pitching, defense, baserunning, and the entire game of baseball. They are among the best teachers of baseball skills.

has basketball improved? who can make a midrange jumper? why is gonzaga and the midmajors succeeding? i know in our area basketball skills have went backwards. athleticism has improved but the old coaches are still the ones that win.
i coach basketball too but as a head coach in baseball we get kids every year who have no clue of how to do the the little things that win. we've been lucky that our kids have bought into it but its getting harder and harder every year. its not the kids fault. id like to see the "pay for info" gurus actually coach a team.
until then i'll listen and consider - im not stubborn - but......i'll get my info from the college and pro level who do it in the real world for a living.

Do what? Make out a lineup card and put the bunt play on?

BlueDog,

What do you think about Russell Branyan's hitting stroke and how can he continue to improve?

Shepster

Raider,

I have been a member of this site for a couple years now. I enjoy the heck out of it and have read some very good stuff. I think we see it basically the same way. The reason? we coach the game. A-lot of the guys on here teach hitting or at least talk it. Half the terminology that is used is more confusing than anything. Most the guys have never had 60 kids to coach and a couple of assistant coaches to help(some or most of which are generally "Football guys"). I promise you one thing i get a heck of alot more than most, but still have a lot to learn. Baseball is a journey. A kid can't handle alot of the things put on this site and not be completely confused. Filling out a lineup and putting the bunt on is a ridiculous statement. It takes so much to prepare a succesful team. You have to teach a foundation of all the skills a kid will need and then do your bst to develop those skills. I would love to coach against most the Experts here and freakin kick the **** out of them with a team that is prepared to play the game. i've coached a couple Major leaguers and tons of D1 guys in only 7 years of coaching. Those guys were never taught THT and probably never were coached 100% correctly on "using the middle" or some of the other Guru jargon on this site at times. Don't get me wrong a-lot of the stuff is great to read and it would be terrific to have time to go that in depth if you had two hitters.. Keep up the good work Coaches. you other guys good luck making the money and selling the snake oil.

Ignoring Rat Shapiro already, are we...believe me pal, I can and will regain your attention.

Well, maybe I was wrong about the challenge/anaylsis I proposed about Branyan. You may not be qualified.

Besides I already know about his swing because I helped him develop it to some extent when he was a teenage prospect before Cleveland and Harry Spillman took over.

Really/No Kidding,
Rat

quote:

...I would love to coach against most the Experts here and freakin kick the **** out of them with a team that is prepared to play the game...

Put 30 players on the field. Work them out as if it's a tryout. You get the first five picks. (assuming the 5 best players) I get the next five picks. Then every other one from there.

I'll kick your *** in 2-3 years. While you're making out a lineup card I'll be teaching.

That would be great..Make no mistake i own all the videos and have talked to a bunch of the best. Have also played the game.. i would love to kick your lungs in. Believe me I teach just can't go over to the side with a couple kids and teach hitting 2 hours a day. The kids are given plenty of knowledge to be succesful. you would be an easy "W" I'm sure..Year in year out i'm sure i would schedule you as quickly as possible. heck would love to pick 9 i've coached and 9 you've coached slappy.

bbscout,

I'll take the next five and still win-lol

Sorry I've been away so long but just couldn't stay out of hurricane relief zones these past couple of years.

Look forward to spending time this spring on myself for a change.

Maybe some MLB Owner/GM related to someone I helped will call me and even hire me this year.

Rat Shapiro/Gotta see em Shep!/Shepster

Roy Hobbs,

Hey pal, are you going to want to kick my lungs in too if I become a threat to your ego-LOL I'll meet you half way if you indeed live in Texas.

Rat Shapiro

Do we really have coaches who are going to "kick each others lungs in"? What happened to the players?

Wasn't directed to you unless you want it to be , but just a comment after the fill the lineup card and bunt comment dude. I definately live in Texas. You are in no way a threat to my ego. I doubt you even coach a team. Not the one who has figured it all out yet. My players can hit though.

Hey pal,

I don't think anyone ever figures it all out because every hitter has different levels of instruction and a blanket teaching approach will fail with many.

Individualized anaylsis of each individual hitter's mechanical movements in video-analysis is necessary in order to determine exactly what level that is and then you can make evaluation.

Some evaluations are better than others

My evaluation of you at this time is that you are trying really hard to burn bridges with hitting instructors I have communicated with on this board and on fields for years. Several of these people you are attempting to bash have given their lives to baseball and not become snake-oil salesmen as you propose. Furthermore, these instructors you are attacking verbally on this board have a clue about hitting and don't need your endorsement.

Rat's Scout Recommendation>Keep up the good work with your team and try to be a little more discreet in your posts and refrain from your physical threats on this board.

Rat Shapiro

VErrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry Interesting !!!!!

ok. point taken.
I never threatened someone. I just made a statement after the lineup comment and would make it again. Have no problem with hitting instructors Pal. Have gave instruction and several very good friends own large facilities in Texas. I simply replied to the slight the guy made and the snake oil was probably the wrong comment. Definately never put your name in the post. If you have such a problem with what i said maybe the truth hurts for you personally schlepo.

Hey TRhit,

I know your their/there brother, I've seen your posts.

Rat Shapiro

SHEP

I have no brothers, least of all the ones you are speaking of-- I am and have always been a lone ranger

TRhit,


Well, now that we all know where we all stand, maybe we can move on and gain some knowledge on changing hitting techniques.

Your buddy,
Shep

The topic is "Hitting Techniques Changing".

Please stick to the topic and cease the personal insults and threats.

If you are unable to do so - all of your posts will be eliminated.

Thank you.

Its

we have another guy in shep you changes posts after he makes them

You get the schedule yet?

Wow! All the keyboard muscles are causing the computer monitor to ooze testosterone!

ITS

I really don't know what TR is trying to accomplish here but I can assure you that I will maintain honor and integrity on these boards and give you MN-Mom as reference because she has known me here at this site for years and communicated via email with me on several occasions.

Shep

My reminder was directed to all posters who visit this forum - as every so often it gets a bit testy.

Lets talk hitting.

If you could put Willie Mays circa 1958 into a major league batters box at this moment, would he be successful, or would he need someone to catch him up on the latest hitting techniques?

I would venture to say that Willie could play today and play very well

Good enough lets keep on topic. I shouldn't let it get to me. I just can't figure out all the more is better my theory is best guys. Some hit effectively without any of us. A-lot of the teaching today of hitting is driven my $$$'s. Most guys need something to seperate them from the rest. It does keep hitting from becoming boring.
Roy Hobbs .

Sounds fair enough. Lets start over tonight.

I have always been willing to forgive and forget at least once. Sometimes, twice.

Shep

About the legend and all-time great Willie Mays>

I too feel he would do well because of all his God-Given natural ability but not without some serious adjustments to hitting approach.

Just visit any videoanalysis session these modern-day major league pitchers have on hitters and you will see what I mean.

Lunge hitters who try to make a living guessing and stepping in the bucket would have a hard time now-a-days. I would only give them a steady diet of 95mph cut fastballs on inside half of plate, for RHH from RHP. I bet if you asked the great Willie Mays if he agrees with Shep, he will agree without taking defensive posture to baited question-LOL

Sniffing it out,
Shep

IMO - I dont even understand the question.

Its basically the same as asking if Willie Mays played in 1928 - would he succeed?

How about if Barry Bonds - played in 1947 - and stared at a homerun. My guess is - he would be beaned in his next 32 at bats - and hospitalized for prolonged periods of time.

I dont get the question.