- Jun 8, 2016
- 16,118
- 113
First of all just joined the forum and am glad to see so many people passionate about softball. Also I apologize if
the content of this thread has been discussed previously or if I have placed it in the wrong forum.
My question (well maybe not a question but more of a comment?? ) is in regards to the amount of instruction
kids receive (in particular in the US) from adults now at a young age. Perusing the boards I see technical
discussion regarding all facets of hitting from well-intentioned parents who are attempting to help their kids. My question is,
outside of proper setup of hands and stance, how much of this would be needed if the kids just went out and played a lot ball
and allowed their body to decide their swing mechanics based upon the feedback provided by actually
hitting the ball? Is the amount of instruction going on due to kids just not playing enough ball out at the parks
like kids of my age (40something) and moreso my fathers age (70something) used to?? Does the instruction actually take into account different
body mechanics as self-feedback would likely do??
I used to play a lot of ball with both kids my age and my father as well and I can't ever remember receiving any instruction at all till I started playing in college.
While I am not saying I was the model of hitting (certainly far from it otherwise I wouldn't be sitting at this desk...) it also seems to me if you look at the swings of
the best hitters of all time going back to the early 20th century till now, most seem to "own" their swings and
you would be hard-pressed to find any two which alike. Of course at contact many are alike but my question is how did they learn to get into
the right position? Through lots instruction or just through the natural progression of getting a swing which is comfortable to them which allowed them
to make good contact the most frequently?? E.g. how I envision Ted Williams learning to hit in the sandlots of San Diego or Big Papi
in the Dominican?? Perhaps these elite hitters are outliers and lots of instruction will help the kids who aren't
Ted WIlliams/Barry Bonds or is it really that today's parents micromanage every part of their child's life including
their swing??
I have a 6 year old who likes to play ball with Daddy and is pretty athletic and I can understand the feeling of wanting to micromanage the swing..I am
just trying to get a handle on much of that feeling I need to resist in particular as she gets older.
Anyway, again, great forum and I hope everybody has a great day.
the content of this thread has been discussed previously or if I have placed it in the wrong forum.
My question (well maybe not a question but more of a comment?? ) is in regards to the amount of instruction
kids receive (in particular in the US) from adults now at a young age. Perusing the boards I see technical
discussion regarding all facets of hitting from well-intentioned parents who are attempting to help their kids. My question is,
outside of proper setup of hands and stance, how much of this would be needed if the kids just went out and played a lot ball
and allowed their body to decide their swing mechanics based upon the feedback provided by actually
hitting the ball? Is the amount of instruction going on due to kids just not playing enough ball out at the parks
like kids of my age (40something) and moreso my fathers age (70something) used to?? Does the instruction actually take into account different
body mechanics as self-feedback would likely do??
I used to play a lot of ball with both kids my age and my father as well and I can't ever remember receiving any instruction at all till I started playing in college.
While I am not saying I was the model of hitting (certainly far from it otherwise I wouldn't be sitting at this desk...) it also seems to me if you look at the swings of
the best hitters of all time going back to the early 20th century till now, most seem to "own" their swings and
you would be hard-pressed to find any two which alike. Of course at contact many are alike but my question is how did they learn to get into
the right position? Through lots instruction or just through the natural progression of getting a swing which is comfortable to them which allowed them
to make good contact the most frequently?? E.g. how I envision Ted Williams learning to hit in the sandlots of San Diego or Big Papi
in the Dominican?? Perhaps these elite hitters are outliers and lots of instruction will help the kids who aren't
Ted WIlliams/Barry Bonds or is it really that today's parents micromanage every part of their child's life including
their swing??
I have a 6 year old who likes to play ball with Daddy and is pretty athletic and I can understand the feeling of wanting to micromanage the swing..I am
just trying to get a handle on much of that feeling I need to resist in particular as she gets older.
Anyway, again, great forum and I hope everybody has a great day.