Command vs Control

I control a thing when I hold it in my hand. No freedom for the thing, no surprises for me. Until the thing is out of my hand. Now there’s no control, the thing does what it will, leaving me to hope for the best. This gives control an anxious touch, as much thought and energy needs to go into establishing and maintaining control of the thing as actually using the thing. Naturally then control is very limited as well as stressful.

Command is a different deal. I have command of a thing whether it is in my hand or not. Command gives the thing its freedom out of hand, requires of me trust and understanding. I don’t need to control the thing because I know what it does and why. Therefore whether the thing is currently in hand (or even in sight) or not is of little concern. Once I’ve established command I can commit myself entirely to the actual use of the thing.

Many young hitters approach the game with the intent to control the swing – the movements involved – consciously. Whether those controlled movements are effective or not becomes irrelevant as the game speeds up. What is essential in training hitability is developing command over the movements involved in the swing. To make these movements “natural”, accessible when the brain is busy putting out fires elsewhere – namely “seeing the ball”.