A New Hitting Coach Is Not What We Need . . .

Feb 25, 2019, 12:12 AM

Us old f@rts were taught to hit differently than today's diamond boys. We were taught to sit on the fastball and adjust to the off speed, hitting it to the opposite field when possible.

Today's philosophy is to pick a pitch and sit on it, then drive it deep into the gaps. If you don't get your pitch, take it and guess again. This philosophy will lead to lower averages and more extra base hits. It will also lead to more backward K strikeouts and fly outs. Rarely are pitches hit to the opposite field, as everything is attempted to be driven into the gaps. This philosophy will also cut down on situational hitting. It's a feast or famine mentality.

Rather than a new hitting coach, what us old guys want is a "new" hitting philosophy, back to the style we grew up with . . . at first glance, that is my desire . . . but is my old antiquated approach really what is best in today's game?

Yes, I miss balls hit to the right side to move a runner to third . . . and contact made simply to score a run . . . but we never hit 0-2 counts out of the park . . . or had 9 hole hitters that could go "yard" at any time. The game has changed and I need to learn to be ok with it AND enjoy it!!!

Congrats to those who flashed the leather and beat VMI again today!!! Nice series Tigers!!! Proud of you!!!

flag link

military_tech

thumb_down

thumb_up

Baseball is now run by metrics.

The coaches know which approach gives the best chance to score runs based on who is at the plate and their strengths.

Often it's the "Old school" guys who scream that our batting average as a team is too low, while also saying they don't think metrics should run the game.

Well, batting average is also a metric or measurement. The difference is that coaches now want slugging percentage instead of batting average. OPS is the ultimate offensive measurement. A double is worth more than a single. Batting average doesn't reflect that.

Baseball is different from football in that it is about approaching the game in a way that will work most often for an entire season. Losses matter so much more in football that every decision is centered around how to win today.

If a guy hits 4 for 12 with 3 doubles for a weekend then everybody thinks he should be in the lineup, but if he is 4 for 4 in one game and 0 for 8 in the other two, then after those games he seems like he should be sitting the bench.

Consistent baseball teams have multiple guys who can contribute so that somebody is hot at all times. Nobody hits all year, so there must be some balance.

A New Hitting Coach Is Not What We Need . . .

Re: A New Hitting Coach Is Not What We Need . . .

I was a pretty good hitter in my playing days. Rarely

Dang it - in the old days there were gaps on both sides.

Re: A New Hitting Coach Is Not What We Need . . .

Re: A New Hitting Coach Is Not What We Need . . .

Re: A New Hitting Coach Is Not What We Need . . .

TigerBoard POTD