First year students have arrived on campus for us, and we just completed our first week of small group training with the guys. Coaches and players alike are incredibly excited to finally be back into the groove of practice, even if it is a little different from years prior. After giving our players a few practices to acclimate, we are now diving into our initial assessments.
Following one week of practice, I have been able to pick up on some initial individualities of each player. I can tell right away that some of these are just personal flair, whereas others directly impact the individual’s ability to be successful. As I have previously discussed different methods of assessment, it is time to flip the switch a little bit. In discussing personal style, or what I refer to as swag, I will knife through how an individual’s personal flair impacts on field performance, what is okay, and when change is necessary.
As odd as this may sound to some, every player has their own type of swag, whether it is a little body rock like Ken Griffey Jr., a pre-pitch “dance” like Mike Clevinger, or a no-look tag like Javier Baez. Heck, even Hunter Pence’s set up and routine at the plate falls into the category of swag. Obviously, these examples provide a wide range along a spectrum of what is perceived as smooth to herky-jerky, but all of these players are making these moves for a reason: rhythm and timing.
Diving into discussions of rhythm and timing, especially in regards to personal style, can be difficult because on the surface the discussion may seem subjective. However, I think that is far from the truth in most cases. I will concede my position in regards to Clevinger’s pre-pitch routine, but for the others listed, their own personal swag allows them to get into optimal positions for success comfortably and consistently. Additionally, that is not to say Clevinger does not have his own personal style that allows him to reach optimal positions to perform. Subjectivity just happens to work its way into the equation for a pre-pitch routine.
Diving deeper into looking at Griffey and Pence. I took a couple of screenshots from some Youtube videos to highlight their own personal style. Griffey is credited with “the sweetest swing of all time,” and Pence’s unfathomable body contortions are widely recognizable across all of baseball. Both players had wildly successful careers in their own rights with very different styles at the plate. That said, they both reach very similar positions at what I refer to as launch – the last point before the initiation of the swing – and contact – where the bat and the ball collide. In the screenshots and video provided, it is evident that while the two start in two drastically different positions, at the most essential points for execution, the two aren’t as dissimilar as once thought.
Relating back to the main point, knowing what we know now in baseball and with what we have access to from a technological perspective, barring small tweaks here and there, why would anyone want to change the way these two hit the ball? If we stick to our objective approach to success, they meet the specifications for what we look for in the positions that directly impact the ability to be successful consistently.
The same is true for pitchers. We can keep Mike Clevinger as an example, and let’s add Dontrelle Willis. Possessing one of the most iconic wind ups of all time, Dontrelle Willis’s leg kick is something that could certainly take a lot of heat if a coach focuses on form over function. Going back to Clevinger, once you get past his funky little dance, everything is pretty succinct with what is taught today. His leg kick may be a tad higher than most, but his motion is fairly “normal.” Dontrelle Willis, on the other hand, is at least two standard deviations from the mean. With an absurdly high leg kick, rising hands, and an upper body turn, the way he starts his motion is not something you see every day on the baseball field, especially from elite players.
However, as Dontrelle and Clevinger work down the mound, their positions become more similar, other than those that can easily be attributable to differences in their body types and athletic make-up. These differences are likely what account for the 6 mph difference between the two (Clevinger can run it up to100 mph), but there is no question that as they work down the mound, their rear leg loads and front foot strike positions look surprisingly alike.
So, as a coach, what is okay? What can you allow from a “swag” perspective without compromising on function? At the end of the day, execution is paramount. That is what wins ball games. As a result, function should always supersede form in a coach’s mind. That said, if form, in this case, swag, is not standing in the way of the player’s ability to be successful, let it be. On the other hand, if a player is unable to get to the necessary positions or does not possess the stats to back up a specific move, the personal flair may be doing more harm than good.
The natural next train of thought is wondering how long do you give a player to prove whether they can be successful with their own style. I am a firm believer that no matter what, an objective assessment should be performed once players have been given the chance to get their feet under them. Doing testing on day one is not always the best barometer. There are so many too many variables that can impact a single day’s performance in baseball, especially when it is a player’s first performance in front of the coaching staff. But after roughly a week of letting the team get back into a comfortable routine, it is then likely time to put them through your own assessment process. During the assessment, be sure to take video in addition to your full speed subjective visual assessment. Video will allow you to slow down, freeze, and separate movements to accurately assess the proficiency of an athlete’s motions. Anything extra may be identified as personal style or swag. If those extra movements do not detract from or inhibit the potential success of the player, any time spent on training those movements out of the player is wasted energy.
As stated in my previous post on rethinking fall baseball, I do believe players should be given a shot to showcase who they are. You obviously recruited your players for a reason. Give them a chance to show you why. I am also a firm believer in the definition of insanity: doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting a different result. Consequently, I would give hitters roughly a week, no more than two, to showcase what they can do before you dive into any mechanical changes. Pitchers should be given a bit more time if you can afford to do so. I would suggest at least a few max intent outings with hitters. In regards to infield and outfield play, only a couple of sessions are needed to assess potential for success before you begin to make changes. But remember for all of your players, if their swag is not an inhibitor, leave it alone.
In closing, every player is going to have their own personal flair. Whether that is the caveman style of Evan Gattis or a little pizzazz like Fernando Tatis Jr., there is no one specific style of play that suits all players. That said, each player will have a specific style that allows them to feel comfortable and confident. Although each player may look a little different in the moves they make, if they demonstrate they can perform and pass your objective assessment, tread lightly on trying to get them to conform to your views of the way someone should look when they swing, throw, or field.
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