Washington Nationals Are Suffering From Impatience At the Plate
The Washington Nationals' batting coach, Lenny Harris, has been under the microscope this season. The Nats have the worst record in the NL, and it is due, in large part, to their poor plate discipline.
Harris, who took over for Kevin Mitchell in the middle of the 2007 season (Mitchell has had problems with alcohol abuse), has presided over an undisciplined lineup that was depleted by the loss of Nick Johnson, who was their most disciplined hitter and a clubhouse leader.
The following article gives insight into Harris’ attempt to get his charges to understand that patience is a virtue in the batters box.
He has not been successful at getting his message across, and the Nats are likely to make changes in the offseason. I say offer up some cash to Milt Thompson.
Everybody knows that DC is a prettier town than Philly.
""Satisfied that Milledge had regained some comfort with his swing, the two exited the cages and prepared for the evening’s game. Measuring a ballplayer’s true progress requires a long view, which is why Milledge’s truest tendencies are still evolving.
Still, among the 213 major leaguers who’ve seen at least 1,000 pitches this season, only 34, Milledge included, swing more often than they take. That makes Milledge, who swings at roughly 50.5 percent of all pitches, one of the most aggressive hitters in the game. The line between encouraging such an approach and restraining it requires balance."
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