Posted by: c-dubs () on Mon Oct 14 17:56:54 2002

S.P.
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> > MLB owners and GM's focus on acquiring the best possible talent within a defined salary range. In addition, they strive to field an experienced coaching staff, one that can communicate with, and hopefully motivate the players on a daily basis. Prof. hitting instrutors come in two basic flavors...the former ML hitter, and the true coach. Former hitters can rely on past experiences to assist players when they reach a slump. They can talk with confidence about things like pitch selection, range of motion, hitches and other things they might see. Former hitters can also step up to the plate and demonstrate...this is important for many reasons. Pro coaches may not have been players, but have studied the science of hitting, and can offer empirical data which should, if explained properly, assist just about everyone in the lineup. I think it's very important to have qualified hitting coaches at all levels of pro ball, but remember, it's a two way street...the player must be willing to listen and learn...otherwise the coach...any coach...is just wasting his time.
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> > If I were running an organization, I would put my best communicator and demonstrator in the A league, and best or most experienced listener up top. Kids out of HS or college need one-on-one demos with the bat. They need to see and learn what's required of an "at-bat". Guys already up need someone willing to agree with them...someone who excepts their slump excuses...someone "not confrontational".
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> > Jeff M...not Henry
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> Jeff M...not Henry,
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> Right, the best coachies should be in the minors. Are they? If they are then we can stop listening to the Yankee coach or any other hitting coach in the majors. If they aren't then we know that the people in The Show don't know what they are doing. Either way, we shouldn't be listening to them.
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> S. Procito

S.P.

I still don't understand why you state that a big league hitting coach is someone that no one should listen too. You didn't address nearly any of the counterpoints made in regards to your original post. It seems that others have made valid points. Even if a minor league hitting coach is better than a major league hitting coach, why does that make the major league coach incompetent. What if the major league coach has minor league coaching experience? Does he have more validity then. I am not trying to be confrontational, but if I am understanding you correctly, the only reasons why a major league hitting coach isn't worth listening to is because a) batting averages drop when you reach a higher level of play b)minor league coaches are better c) because some players don't bat .275 d)because teams such as the Yankees pay money for talented players.
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