An interesting article regarding todays standard
generic hitting aproach.
Two coaches meeting at an off-season High School baseball conference
had an interesting conversation. One coach mentioned to another that he had a rough time with his hitting on his team at the start. From top to bottom I have never had such a team with ridiculous batting habits; commented a proud coach. This was my best coaching ever. My team from top to bottom hit with a Paul Molitor short, compact swing, and they had the mentality and stance of Ted Williams. They could work the count with the best of them. Proud as can be that my team was one of the best hitting teams in the conference. We had a .295 average, and were right up there near the top of home runs.
They had there problems though. Each boy had one or more real specific
issues. Here was my lineup starting with my leadoff hitter
A kid named Rod Carew. This kid must have had 4 or 5 different stances at the plate. I never knew what I was going to see up there. He said he changed his stance depending on the type of pitcher. Tough nut to crack for me.
My two hitter was a kid named Ty Cobb. Actually held his hands nearly 6" apart from each other while he batted. He said he had more control of the bat. Won't mention the vulgar arguments we had.
My Three hitter was a kid named Stan Musial. You wouldn't believe his stance. He practically had his back to the pitcher. Looked like he was hiding the bat or something from him. Almost looked like he was playing peek A boo.
Four hitter was a big lumbering kid name Babe Ruth. His stance was
ridiculous. Stood straight up at the plate with his feet nearly touching each other. When he swung he would practically lunge at the ball, then nearly fall down. He was my best work. He was third in our conference in home runs.
Fifth hitter was named Carl Yastremski. Held his bat extremely high. Nearly straight up. Then took a large crazy swing. Who comes up with this kind of stuff?
Six hitter was named Tony Oliva. Couldn't keep that boy from swinging at everything. I would tell him to work the count, and he would still swing at that first pitch.
Number seven hitter was a boy named Ken Griffey Junior. Long Swing. Looked like he was swinging a golf club or something up there.
Eight hitter was a Japanese boy named Ichiro Suzuki. Not sure what he learned in Japan, but he wouldn't have made it over here with that crazy unorthodox style. Reminds me a lot of my Rod Carew player.
Number nine hitter is a lad named Rickey Henderson. Crouched so low at the plate, and his feet were much too far apart. A player will never be able to hit without a nice balanced stance.
We had quite a few coaches tell us we were great. Many think they possibly all have a shot at the next level. I'm not so sure of that, but I sure made a team out of them last year.
Mickey Mantle once met Ted Williams at the All star game and had a conversation about batting. Ted asked Mickey what he did in this situation vs. that pitcher, and how he handled certain situations. He mentioned many of his tactics and asked Micky his. After this talk, Mickey figured he was going about hitting completely wrong and decided to take Ted's tactics to the plate. Mickey went on a huge 0-21 slump and realized he had to be his own type of hitter. Not all are the same, and shouldn't be.
Original Post