Posted by: john (ajjdad@hotmail.com) on Mon Jun 2 06:36:03 2008

Interesting points.First off, what I have come to learn through my coaching experience of kids, is that getting a kid out of bad habits and, into good habits, is a real challenge. I think to a large degree, a lot of the swings that we see on television, are the result of kids that were shown good habits, at an early age. At least an earlier age than most. I've said this before but, I think sometimes we as coaches/students of the game, tend to keep digging and digging, for the Holy Grail of the baseball swing, when there really isn't any more digging necessary. I can only speak for myself here but, I've come to a conclusion of sorts, that just because a kid isn't executing proper swing mechanics, does not mean in MY mind, that it is due to the fact that I haven't done my home work, nor the need to find the answers in a laboratory, so to speak. What I have learned as far as kids go, is that some kids, just don't posess the tools to get their bodies to execute certain physical, athletic movements.
I once worked for an independent baseball team in a sales capacity and, I use to pick the players brains all the time regarding hitting mechanics.
I will never forget one player saying to me;"someone can have all the mechanics in the world but, if they don't have good hand eye coordination, it doesn't matter."
My bottom line point, is that as much as the proper baseball swing contains much important elements, we have, in my opinion, made the swing, something of almost a mystery. And, it's not.
Ted Williams said many years ago and, I'm truly amazed that it's not refered to more;"get that front hip out of the way and, let the hands and arms compactly follow."
The people with good hand eye, become good hitters, the ones that don't, become coaches, frustrated dads and, post messages on boards like these.