Intelligence is the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills. Intelligence is commonly measured using things like the SATs (Scholastic Aptitude Test). Aptitude, which is the key word also is defined as the ability to learn and apply.
Intelligent hitters learn the fundamentals of hitting and then apply them. There are seven parts of the swing. As we have discussed, you can fail 70 percent of the time at the collegiate and professional levels and still be deemed successful. The seven parts of the swing are:
- Stance/Load
- Timing
- Tempo
- Tracking
- Approach
- Contact
- Extension/Finish
There are three reasons you must understand how to hit:
- To do it
- To teach it
- To share it
Unless you’re a has-been, age 40 baseball player like me, it only benefits you to understand hitting and not do it if you’re a coach. You’re an active player and you must be able to execute what you understand about hitting.
If you don’t understand what you’re doing and still are achieving success as a hitter, give thanks to “Luck and Chance.”
Remember: “To teach is to learn twice.” – Joseph Joubert
If you’re performing well as a hitter, there are sure to be teammates of yours and younger kids who will admire and imitate you. It’ll be nothing short of productive for you to be able to teach others what you know when they ask for help. “You have to work hard” simply is not an intelligent response.
One of my fears is that my clients will be approached by the media asking about their success as a hitter, only to have them to sound clueless. You want to understand how to hit so that you can share it with the media. You need to be clear, concise (to the point) and consistent.
This is not how to do interview with the media:
Reporter: Eric, you were 4 for 4 today with four home runs. How did you do it?
Eric: Well, I have been working really hard at practice.
This is how you do it:
Reporter: Eric, you were 4 for 4 today with four home runs. How did you do it?
Eric: You reap what you sow. There are seven parts of the swing and it takes 21,000 reps to build a habit. Today, I was able to make a withdraw from all the deposits that I made this winter.
Remember: Intelligence trumps being smart.
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BIO
C.J. Stewart has built a reputation as one of the leading professional hitting instructors in the country. He is a former professional baseball player in the Chicago Cubs organization and has also served as an area scout for the Cincinnati Reds. As founder and CEO of Diamond Directors Player Development, CJ has more than 12 years of player development experience and has built an impressive list of clients, including some of the top young prospects in baseball today. If your desire is to change your game for the better, C.J. Stewart has a proven system of development and track record of success that can work for you.
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