Of course, you know I would respond before reading PG's response. Great response PG. You and I share a lot of the same philosophies. Nice job explaining it in detail.
Coach A:
Great Post. I would hope everyone with the expertise that you and PGStaff have demonstrated would approach this question brand new and give their detailed opinion. Yes, you and PGStaff agree on most things. But there are enough subtle differences that a high school student of hitting can read them over and over and experiment with each in the respective situation to see what his approach will be this upcoming season.
Thanks so much for your contribution. This will be printed off and given to my son to read immediately.
Great Post. I would hope everyone with the expertise that you and PGStaff have demonstrated would approach this question brand new and give their detailed opinion. Yes, you and PGStaff agree on most things. But there are enough subtle differences that a high school student of hitting can read them over and over and experiment with each in the respective situation to see what his approach will be this upcoming season.
Thanks so much for your contribution. This will be printed off and given to my son to read immediately.
Chris A
PGStaff
jodyreed3
Coachric
TRhit
Jon Doyle
Shepster
Tremendous advice! Very refreshing and enlightening to hear you confirm that there is so much more to hitting (teaching & learning it) than just the physical swing mechanics.
You guys have obviously coached hitters that compete at 60/90!
THop
PGStaff
jodyreed3
Coachric
TRhit
Jon Doyle
Shepster
Tremendous advice! Very refreshing and enlightening to hear you confirm that there is so much more to hitting (teaching & learning it) than just the physical swing mechanics.
You guys have obviously coached hitters that compete at 60/90!
THop
pgstaff, thanks for the reply I have it. Thanks again.
It is my pleasure. I have a passion for teaching the kids how to play the game the right way. I am just glad to be in company with so many other knowledgable coaches that share the same views and passion as well as hungry players and parents looking to improve their game.
Coach A and others,
I'm sure Coach A must have sent a copy of his post to lineshot. So did I per his request.
Just want to clearify that You and I are not the same person using different names. I do respect your opinions very much, though.
It's just that on this site I know of several people who have posted under different names for various purposes. Just want to make it clear that I do not do that.
Coach A, Once again I do respect everything you have to say.
I'm sure Coach A must have sent a copy of his post to lineshot. So did I per his request.
Just want to clearify that You and I are not the same person using different names. I do respect your opinions very much, though.
It's just that on this site I know of several people who have posted under different names for various purposes. Just want to make it clear that I do not do that.
Coach A, Once again I do respect everything you have to say.
I don't have the time to worry about keeping up with more than one identity, so I appreciate your comments as well and like I said earlier, I have a lot of respect for all of the coaches on here trying to help the kids. I can't see how someone would have the time to switch back and forth between names. 
All said here is good advice, and hopefully read by our young players.
I'd like to focus on the pitcher assesment part. because I think this dictates most hitting and approach. Assesing the pitcher is relative to the batters skill and ultimately his confidence.
I doubt Ted Williams, Pete rose or Barry Bonds assessed pitchers the same way but they did something all good hitters do. They went up their with a good idea of how they matched up against a pitcher relative to their hitting style. Subsequently, their approach was more or less aggressive.
Ofcourse good team baseball requires situational awareness but the permutations of all that are too many to write in a thread.
That said, I'd like to concentrate purley on the beating the pitcher aspect - either getting a hit or walk or sac.
It's all about preparation which leads to confidence. I tell kids look at the pitcher and first ask yourself
1. is he likely to strike me out?
2. Does he have command?
If you know your relative ability and the answer to these two questions you pretty much have your hitting approach narrowed down about 75%.
1. If he is likely to strike you out and has command then be aggrssive looking to swing early and often. otherwise he's ahead in the count and Oops!
2. If he has the stuff to strike you out but has questionable command (these are often the toughest)- make an early decision on high/low and be controlled looking to get ahead in the count - then be aggressive. Bad swings are made at high or low pitches. In or out and knee to belly B can be hit.
3. If he's unlikely to strike you out - look for your perfect pitch on strike one and two and relax knowing you can put strike three in play.
I'd like to focus on the pitcher assesment part. because I think this dictates most hitting and approach. Assesing the pitcher is relative to the batters skill and ultimately his confidence.
I doubt Ted Williams, Pete rose or Barry Bonds assessed pitchers the same way but they did something all good hitters do. They went up their with a good idea of how they matched up against a pitcher relative to their hitting style. Subsequently, their approach was more or less aggressive.
Ofcourse good team baseball requires situational awareness but the permutations of all that are too many to write in a thread.
That said, I'd like to concentrate purley on the beating the pitcher aspect - either getting a hit or walk or sac.
It's all about preparation which leads to confidence. I tell kids look at the pitcher and first ask yourself
1. is he likely to strike me out?
2. Does he have command?
If you know your relative ability and the answer to these two questions you pretty much have your hitting approach narrowed down about 75%.
1. If he is likely to strike you out and has command then be aggrssive looking to swing early and often. otherwise he's ahead in the count and Oops!
2. If he has the stuff to strike you out but has questionable command (these are often the toughest)- make an early decision on high/low and be controlled looking to get ahead in the count - then be aggressive. Bad swings are made at high or low pitches. In or out and knee to belly B can be hit.
3. If he's unlikely to strike you out - look for your perfect pitch on strike one and two and relax knowing you can put strike three in play.
