Hitting coach Jeff Manto knows video can be a valuable tool for hitters but he believes it gets overused when mechanics are overstressed and feel is undervalued.
Adam Dunn’s two-homer night was a case in point where video paid off. He and Manto looked at some during the game, went to the cage and got things ironed out.
“It was just a balance issue,” Manto said before the Sox played the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday afternoon “He was just rushing out on his legs, and we got him back underneath himself.
“He had a chance to see himself get down on his legs a little too much.”
So video has its place. But it’s like anything else: only in moderation.
“It’s one of those fine lines where you have to really police and make sure these guys aren’t going into the video room just to watch themselves hit,” Manto said. “Some guys, they reinforce bad thoughts and stuff like that. So it’s a pretty delicate balance.
“I’m one of those guys who shies away from it (video) more than go to it. I’d rather have the guys feel what they’re doing rather than watching for mechanics all the time. Mechanics are obviously very important, but when you take your mind off the ball and start worrying about other things other than the ball, things can really start to run away on you.”
