Thread: Rotational Hitting

Originally Posted by Hit Dr.24

First you have never taught a hitter of the elite level. Second your veiw of video is way off from reality because you have never hit.Third if you think you tilt your shoulders to the ball first and then try to adjust to the ball with your hands I know you're lost in your video.And last why are you afraid to look at a true motion analysis of elite hitters,don't you like the way they talk about the full transfer swing? Don't you like the way it shows the hand path to the ball is down? Don't you like the way the front arm pulls straight across the body moving at the same time as the back leg and hip firing.Yes I believe I have put in 25 years playing and working with the best in the world and that gives me the practical and scientific advantage over someone who says he will challenge me. If you really could you would have because you can only give your own horsepucky!

Wow Dr24 it seems as you have lost the ability to have a discussion at the discussion level without elevating it to a personal attack. You may be the best in the world but as a parent looking in it seems you are rather close minded. I feel that Mark H and several people have responded in a calm effective manner even when you have taken it up a notch to personalization. Just because you are someone with vast knowledge that doesnt mean you should be close minded and stop learning, stop understanding that even the small guy can teach me something. Please take into consideration what you are coming off as here. Mark H and others put alot of time into what they are doing, and if I had my choice by reading this board I would pick them over you just for the pure fact they have stated they are open to more learning, eager even, whereas you have obviously reached the point where you can't possibly learn anymore. Good luck and I hope you continue your success working with the elite athletes at their level.......as for me I just have one DD who would love to smack the heck outta the ball, she will most likely never make it to your level of eliteness. Dang Mark why do you live so far away!!! would come to you anyday!

A man may learn wisdom even from a foe." Aristophenes

I believe I was the first person attacked, but thats not the point. There is a huge problem in fastpitch with people who have never played or coached trying to sell there theories to people who are looking for help. Don't try to say elite players do something when they don't. It has already been proven by Marc D that the Legs must start the swing. Let me remind you that I was being Attacked for that comment, so what else has been professed that these people can't back up! Its amazing that when someone proven wrong how they run and say how they been done wrong.

Originally Posted by KAT

A man may learn wisdom even from a foe." Aristophenes

Sounds like something Sun Tzu might have said.

Originally Posted by Hit Dr.24

I believe I was the first person attacked, but thats not the point. .

I can come across poorly. If I started the vitriol I aplogize.

Originally Posted by Hit Dr.24

There is a huge problem in fastpitch with people who have never played or coached trying to sell there theories to people who are looking for help. .

There is even more of a problem with people with resume's teaching goofy things though I don't mean to aim that at you. For instance, if we want to talk resumes, I LOVE the direction that Candrea has gone with his Right View instructional materials. HUGE step forward for the sport to have Mike and Sue on video saying the fp swing is pretty much the MLB swing. BUT...there are a bunch of fp people with resumes teaching something entirely different. Stuff like this. Photo 18 of 31, Analysis This clip is actually from an instructional site promoting this nonsense and selling this product. And they do have resumes.

Originally Posted by Hit Dr.24

Don't try to say elite players do something when they don't. .

Exactly.

Originally Posted by Hit Dr.24

It has already been proven by Marc D that the Legs must start the swing. .

Sort of. Depends on how you interpret that. Grandma, Larry Little League and Griffey all use their legs to rotate. Same thing only different. So how to characterize the difference. What is Griffey doing differently with his body in terms of momentum development and rotation than all these kids who hit poorly and are standing on their legs? I suggest the late Jim Dixon's characterization of how elite athletes move is very enlightening. Here's an interesting swing from an amazing kid. 2008 May 31 | Heraldleaderphoto.com

Originally Posted by Hit Dr.24

Let me remind you that I was being Attacked for that comment, so what else has been professed that these people can't back up! Its amazing that when someone proven wrong how they run and say how they been done wrong.

Who ran away and said they had been done wrong?

Hit Dr., by your logic, just because I happen to be a guy that grew up playing baseball (and in the 70's, in the country, where kids that could naturally hit did, and those that couldn't were screwed because the coaches had no clue), and have never had an opportunity to play fastpitch softball, or to "work" with elite hitters, I have zero chance of educating myself so that I can teach my daughters to be better fastpitch hitters?

Sorry, I can't accept that

I've learned a ton since I started trying to relearn this stuff just last fall, and I know that I have a lot more to learn still.

That is not what I am saying... but you have to have practical knowledge along with video knowledge to be able to teach it effectively. If you do not have the practical knowledge, you need to talk with or gain knowledge from the top athletes before you refute it.

Wow... you guys are really heating it up in here!!! If you want to hear from a GREAT hitting coach... probably one of the best in the nation, you should talk to Mark Doran. He is by far the best hitting instructor I have ever worked with. I know he works with Lovie Jung, Jess Mendoza, Stacey Neuvman, Candrea, Eriksen, A-Rod, White Sox, Twins, etc (not to name drop) . And he learned how to teach hitting from Rod Carew. The way he translates hitting to the athletes is remarkable. I can say that I have worked with many many many different philosophies of hitting (rotational, linear, and everything else in between) and when I would start with my hips first, I would either kill the ball foul or roll off the ball and hit a chopper to short stop/third base. At the beginning levels of softball you can get away with that stuff and be successful, but once the pitching gets better, it is very hard to be successful and consistent when you think to lead with your hips.

Originally Posted by Hit Dr.24

That is not what I am saying... but you have to have practical knowledge along with video knowledge to be able to teach it effectively. If you do not have the practical knowledge, you need to talk with or gain knowledge from the top athletes before you refute it.

No doubt doing experience is helpful and no doubt teaching experience is HUGE. I don't offer my test of "comparing everything anyone says to slow motion video of the best in the world" as a complete education. I offer it as a way to sort out the conflicting advice from the various credentialed experts.

Posey,

Where could we read more about Doran?

I think you can google him or ask Marc Degeneas (sp) about him (I believe he worked with him with the Canadian National Team). I know he owns a hitting academy in Illinois also.