In your opinion, who was the greatest Astros hitter?

Andy asked

my response:

Staub and Morgan were great career hitters...wished their career time with the Astros would've been longer. Berkman, Bagwell, and Biggio were fun to watch, too. Cedeno had all the tools to be a HOF'er. In a clutch hitting situation, I'd have more confidence in having Cheo Cruz at the plate as the ONE to be able to get that needed hit.

Are hitters in your opinion too selective at times?

Joe from Canada inquired

My response:

Generally, no. It's preferable to take a pitcher high in the count to run up his pitch count, but the goal for the hitter is still to get a good pitch to drive somewhere HARD.

Hitters are taught to narrow the width of the plate from 17 inches to the middle 10 inches, and expand back out to 17 inches when there's 2 strikes in the count. They recycle their approach in each at bat usually with the minimal idea that each pitch is their pitch, and expect fastball and adjust to the curve.

How to become a mlb player when i live in the uk?

Jaydyn's interrogative and statement:
"I live in the UK, England, and as you know here baseball isn't popular so what are the ways of me being able to make it into the majors?"

my response:

Well, sir...surely you jest. In fact, there ARE baseball teams, leagues, coaches, and even some associate scouts for MLB teams in your country. While baseball may not be the most popular sport, the opportunity to play and be scouted does exist.

Japanese Baseball...More Fun Per Yen

"Why does Japanese baseball seem more entertaining than Major League Baseball?

Drose asked and commented:

This is my opinion, but Japanese (Nippon) baseball appears to be very entertaining from a player's and fan's point of view. I cannot understand a word they are saying, but they make baseball very fun to watch. Major League baseball players are generally better than their Nippon counterparts, but I still find a Japanese game to be more entertaining from a spectator point of view."

my response:

Might it be they tend to NOT play for the 3 run homerun? They generally play 'fabrication' ball by manufacturing runs. You'll see bunt and run, run and bunt, hit and run, run and hit, double steals, etc. No wonder Bobby Valentine did so well with his managing style over there. The closest MLB team that comes to mind that played more to that style would have been the 1980 Houston Astros. 

How long should my lessons last?

Owen asked and continued:

"So I would like to tryout for baseball this year at my HS, I've never played on a team before(or played very much) but I love baseball and my uncles think with a little work I could make it, so I decided why not try. A local college baseball coach (D-III) has agreed to work with me for $50 an hour, or 25 per half hour. How long should each of these lessons last, because I only have 250 dollars that I can spend on this, and that is about 5 days and an hour each day. Is that enough, like how much can actually get done in that amount of time?"

my response:

It can take up to 16 weeks to gain a skill and muscle memory...depending on how many reps you put in and which side of the bell curve you fall on. The smarter you are...the faster you learn...despite what others think and say. 

Limit the amount of time you spent on each skill during a session. Mind mush and innervation begins after 10 minutes of work on a skill. You can always come back to it later for another 10 minute increment session. 

There's a ton of incorrect information passed around the internet as fact these days. So research everything you are given as advice by everyone...including me.

The Land Of Shade Tree Hitting And Pitching Instructors

I've come to the conclusion that the US has an abundance of bass ackward amateur (and professional) hitting and pitching instructors, and they will defend their destructive, incorrect training methods, mechanics, and ideas to the death.

Caveat Emptor

For better baseball/softball,
Del Pittman

People Living In The Ozone

I'm not even going to "dignify" this person's rant directed towards me. I'll post a couple of other responses instead. Names have been withheld to protect the guilty and the innocent.

Lawrence ranted:

"50% of MLB pitchers go on the DL every year these days because todays owners don't want to take a chance of being sued by one of these clowns who stub their toe, then are put on the 30 day DL. Doctors pay a ton of their salary for mal practice insurance, baseball owners don't want to have to do this and worse… then  be sued for 200 million dollars because some pitcher wants to rip off an owner claiming his manager made him pitch when he was injured (and ruined his career) when he really wasn't. The justice system has become a sport like battle between two skillful lawyers and the one that impresses the judge the most wins. It's not a matter of who is right or wrong anymore. This is why most billionaires do not want to own a baseball team."

'others' responses:

 Del- I see zero truth to that statement. Who said that?

When an MLB team comes up for sale, billionaires line up for the chance to buy it. Owning a professional sports team is the ultimate status symbol.

As far as the injury lawsuit goes, it hasn't happened yet to my knowledge--A-Rod included. I think most players know that if you try a move like that you better win the lawsuit because you'll never play in MLB again.

Del, 

Today's baseball as in the past, MLB is covered by an Anti-Trust Exemption which is in place so players and teams can’t sue each other, and all the rules were held within. Otherwise there would be lawsuits galore.