I often wonder about the value of hitting coaches.
I mean, I understand they have a value, and even when things are going poorly, I get that hitters need someone to talk to about their craft. And, nowadays, I feel that they pretty much tell guys the same thing. They, of course, all have their own way of putting it across, but there isn’t any magic anymore.
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You won’t find a batting coach like Cito anymore. Someone who teaches pull pull pull to everyone. It just won’t happen. Guys will tell players to turn on inside pitches, but no one will refuse to let batters hit to all fields in batting practice.
Two years ago, we blamed hitting coaches and Don Mattingly for the lack of hitting. Last year, they were hitting better and winning and we gave credit to the new hitting coaches. They were great. This year? Well, the team isn’t hitting, is it the coaches?
I don’t know, I hate blaming coaches for how players are preforming.
Maybe teams should hire a new batting coach every year?
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Pitching coaches? I feel safe in saying that Pete Walker is a good pitching coach. Sure things aren’t always going to go well. I think he’s helped enough pitchers that I have faith that he’s good at the job. It isn’t always going to work. And sometimes guys won’t do well with him and then go somewhere else and be great. I don’t think coaching is a one guy fits all thing. I’ve had enough teachers/coaches that i know that some I’ve clicked with and some I haven’t. I have a tennis pro, who every 3 months or so, will send me a note saying ‘do you want a lesson?’. I always take it for granted that he’s been watching me and thinks ‘he needs help’. One time I got the email while I was playing tennis. Anyway, he’s great. He knows I like baseball and soccer and he relates things to those sports. And, I think, for a guy who has taken up the sport at a, let’s say, advanced age, he’s turned me into a decent player.
Anyway, let’s have a poll.
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