coaches interfering with players

[Chris O'Leary]

I think compaing how your DD should bat to Ted Williams is valid. If your dd has 20/10 vision and the fastest hands in the game. If she does not, then perhaps following TWs style while great for him, might not work for you.

Ted Williams had 20/10 vision and fast hands and, even so, generally took the first pitch in order to get his timing right.

If perhaps the greatest hitter ever felt that it was best to take the first pitch in order to get his timing right, then that's probably something that ordinary people should be doing.

 

[FiveFrameSwing]

Lots of opinions. Easy to see how a team, where every parent thinks they are a coach, could have conflicting notions.

 

[Jim]

It's a common, but totally outdated, approach.

Guys in MLB are making millions of dollars based in their ability to get on base, which includes taking walks.

MLB hitters do look to get on base, they just don't look to walk. The walk is a byproduct, not a goal. The hitters that walk the most basically scare the pitchers out of the zone by scorching the pitches that they get to hit.

This notion is far from being outdated. This is a hitting forum, not a walking forum.

 

[Chris O'Leary]

MLB hitters do look to get on base, they just don't look to walk. The walk is a byproduct, not a goal. The hitters that walk the most basically scare the pitchers out of the zone by scorching the pitches that they get to hit.

This notion is far from being outdated. This is a hitting forum, not a walking forum.

Few people look to walk, but good MLB hitters will take a walk and get on base rather than swinging at a pitcher's pitch.

They know their job is to get on base any way they can.

Refusing to take a walk is just stupid macho nonsense.

 

[chinamigarden]

Few people look to walk, but good MLB hitters will take a walk and get on base rather than swinging at a pitcher's pitch.

They know their job is to get on base any way they can.

Refusing to take a walk is just stupid macho nonsense.

No one is talking about swinging at a pitcher's pitch on the first pitch. Its about being ready and if you get a pitch you can hit, hit it.

 

[Greenmonsters]

No one is talking about swinging at a pitcher's pitch on the first pitch. Its about being ready and if you get a pitch you can hit, hit it.

Actually, the initial discussions in this thread focused on getting hitters to swing at first pitch strikes. Its very important that your players understand the difference between a pitcher's pitch strike and a strike that they should try to attack.

 

[Chris O'Leary]

No one is talking about swinging at a pitcher's pitch on the first pitch. Its about being ready and if you get a pitch you can hit, hit it.

Ted Williams wouldn't swing at that pitch.

 

[Jim]

Few people look to walk, but good MLB hitters will take a walk and get on base rather than swinging at a pitcher's pitch.

They know their job is to get on base any way they can.

Refusing to take a walk is just stupid macho nonsense.

Who is talking about refusing to take a walk? Your point of getting on base any way that you can is a great one... Getting a hit is the most common way.

When a hitter lets a first pitch fastball in their hot zone go by, they now have less chance to get on base than if they swung at it. It's simple odds.

Good hitters walk because they didn't get the pitch in the zone that they were looking for. Good hitters also strike out for the very same reason.

 

[Jim]

Ted Williams wouldn't swing at that pitch.

Would he swing at it if there were a runner on third with one out?

 

[FiveFrameSwing]

WILLIAMS: We're talking about the same things, aren't we? I hope you don't hit .409. Wade, what did I tell you when you were in the minors?

BOGGS: Don't change a thing.

WILLIAMS: I also told you to use the count more. Attack that first-pitch fastball. At 2 and oh and 3 and 1, try to get a fastball you can drive in the air. You should be doing that now. There's no reason you shouldn't hit 18 or 20 home runs.