The shiny World Series Championship ring on Ron Jackson’s right hand, which he earned while serving as hitting coach for the 2004 Boston Red Sox, certainly gave his tips at the plate even more credence.
After spending years giving advice to some of baseball’s biggest sluggers, including David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez and Frank Thomas, Jackson shared his hitting tips with more than 75 area youth players Tuesday at Papa Jack’s Gap to Gap Clinic at Belton High School’s Tiger Field.
A 10-year major leaguer who played for four different clubs, Jackson now serves as hitting coach for the Triple-A Round Rock Express.
Jackson, who was joined by several Express representatives, delivered messages on hitting and base running, along with infield and outfield play.
But of course the main reason kids ages 8-17 showed up was the chance to get hitting advice from a professional.
“I’d like to see them have a good base, a good foundation,” Jackson said. “I think that’s maybe the toughest thing that they’re not doing on a consistent basis. That’s one of the reasons why we’re out here.
“We hope that they can pick up some things, go back home and work on them with their parents . . . where they can do it with repetition over and over again.”
It’s the repetition, Jackson said, that builds confidence in young hitters. And with repetition, hitters can focus on hitting the ball to the left- and right-field gaps.
The kids got their first taste of that repetition toward the end of the four-hour camp when Jackson spent time throwing batting practice and offering one-on-one advice on anything from hitting stance to how to hold a bat.
Just as quickly as Jackson dished out advice, he also offered up praise and encouragement.
“He talks to the big league superstars just like he does the 10-year-old kid,” said Brian Pearson, a Temple resident who helped organize the camp and throws batting practice for the Express. “The thing is, the fundamentals are all the same.”
Almost as important as teaching hitting fundamentals, Jackson wanted to stress to both kids and parents that it is meant to be fun, as well as a teaching tool.
“Organized sports get you ready for what you’re going to do in life,” Jackson said. “It teaches you teamwork, it teaches you how to get along with your fellow man. It’s just a great All-American game.”
