Midwestanal pains

[Chris O'Leary]

Unfortunately, there's not a whole lot you can do about it, at least in the big picture. If people don't want to learn, you can't force them to.

Penetrating questions sometimes help.

With level swing folks, I ask, "How do you adjust to hit pitches at the top and bottom of the strike zone." Usually, they haven't even thought of that and you can then get into a conversation. I start of talking about how the level swing works in coach pitch and machine pitch, but not after a few years of kid pitch.

Pictures can also be helpful. I have some on my iPod just for this purpose.

 

[SoftSocDad]

As I've said before, the enemy when it comes to hitting isn't the coaches/instructors who have a slightly different approach to the swing. It's the ones who cling to the old ways and prevent kids from achieving to the best of their abilities.

There's nothing wrong with philosophies and techniques evolving over time, but if a kid is having great success with an antiquated method, I say let them.