"If you can hit a rock you can hit a baseball"

Bear, Jon and others HELP!!!

This one should get some interesting comments. I coach with a guy that insists that 90% of hitting is God-given hand speed. His famous line is " A great hitter could hit a rock with a stick and do it with no formal training or mechanics." While I agree that hand speed to a great extent is God-given I do believe you can enhance or improve hand speed and that good mechanics certainly increase your chances. Now how do I sell this guy on good fundamentals of hitting. I watched Ted WIlliams 20 greatest hitters on Classic Sports Network last night and thought of him. Tony Gwynn, Ted Williams and the like may have had great hand speed but I am totally convinced that they have a passion for hitting that drives them to learn everything they can about good mechanics, conditioning, mental preparation, etc. Every year he watches me work with kids and help them to become better hitters and without exception he'll state adamantly that without good genetics I could not have have been successful. He is a great guy to have around. He works everyday with abused kids so he has a natural love and kindness you can't teach but has so little patience with the "average athlete." I now defer to greater minds for an answer.