For anybody who wantsbrto up their baseballbrgame, just look to formerbrMLB player Homer Bush.brHe wrote the book on it: Hitting Low in thebrZone: A New BaseballbrParadigm. In the book,brthe Southlake residentbrshares stories from hisbrdays playing with thebrPadres, Yankees, BluebrJays and Marlins, alongbrwith data on how hittersbrcan experience consistentbrsuccess every time theybrstep up to the plate.brHere's what Bush has tobrsay about his book, thebrsport and the power of perseverance.
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Q: What inspired you to write your book?
A: About two years ago, I was looking for a competitivebredge for my son. I started researching the data andbrvideo of some of the most elite hitters and recognizedbrthat their swing mechanics had a common thread.br
I wanted to open up a dialogue about what swingbrmechanics are necessary for hitters to have consistentbrsuccess at the plate.br
Q: What do you hope readers will take away from it?
A: I want readers to know that contrary to popularbrbelief, hitters can be improved significantly. Elitebroffensive players are not born; they become that way through having the proper hitting approach andbrmechanics. Successful hitters have a plan at the plate,brand they execute that plan no matter how big thebrmoment may be.br
Q: One of your biggest passions is teaching hitting.brWhat message do you want to impart to aspiringbrbaseball players?
A: If a player understands the dynamics of baseballbrand what it takes to be successful – things such asbrpreparation, focus and execution, along with hard workbr– they can do great things in the game.br
Q: You're a regular youth instructor for a number ofbrcamps and clinics. What do you find fulfilling aboutbrcoaching?
A: I pride myself on being able to help players of allbrages take a sometimes-difficult game and make it easy.brIf players trust me, I can give them a plan in almostbrevery phase of the game that will make it fun and allow them to have success at the same time. My goalbris always to inspire players to reach their full potentialbrwhile providing them a supportive and positive learningbrenvironment for personal growth.br
Q: You were a member of the 1998 WorldbrChampionship New York Yankees team. What's thebrsecret to your success?br
A: Several things. I’ve always remained humble and I’vebrtried to make the most of every opportunity presentedbrto me. I’ve maintained intense focus, surrounded myselfbrwith people who would provide sound advice andbrremained a team player at all times. Those things havebrworked for me and are what I teach my own children.br
Q: Tell us about one of your favorite memories frombrthe Major Leagues.
A: One of my favorite Major League memories isbrwithout a doubt my first Major League homerun, whichbrhappened to be at the old Yankee Stadium in 1998. Thebrgame was televised on ESPN, so all of my family and friends got to witness it as well. I’ll never forgetbrthe standing ovation from the fans as I roundedbrthird base.
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Q: What's the biggest lesson you've learnedbrfrom your pro baseball career?
A: I’ve learned to keep going even when thingsbrdon’t seem to be going my way. There’s nobrreplacement for a little hard work, dedicationbrand perseverance.br
Q: You've lived in Southlake for nearly twobrdecades. What do you enjoy about ourbrcommunity?
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A: Southlake is full of good, hardworking people.brI’m a real fan of the high standards that my kidsbrare held to in the school system. I travel heavilybrthroughout the year for baseball, and I like thebrfact that when I come home, I don’t have tobrleave my general neighborhood. Southlake hasbrsome of the best dining and shopping in thebrDFW area.br
Q: Share with us a little about your family.
A: My son Homer Jr. is an eighth grader atbrCarroll Middle School. He loves all sportsbr(baseball is his favorite, of course). My daughterbrJailyn is an 11th grader at Carroll Senior HighbrSchool. She’s very creative and loves art. Mybrwife, Monica, and I have been married for almostbr20 years and are high school sweethearts. She’sbra great writer and one of the smartest women Ibrknow, which is why she’s my co-author on thisbrbook. She knows my hitting philosophy betterbrthan anyone.br
Q: You're working on a second book now. Canbryou give us a sneak preview?
A: Yes. After researching for Hitting Low in thebrZone, it seemed like a natural progression forbrme to do another book on other aspects of the game. This book will talk about how to bebra high-end baseball player overall. It will havebrmore detailed hitting mechanics, as well as tipsbron fielding, throwing and base running.br
Q: Anything else you'd like to add?
A: I’d like for players, dads and coaches to know that if you want to be an elite hitter, thebrinformation in this book will get you there. Ifbryou read the information with an open mind andbrexecute the mechanics, I am confident that yourbrpath to consistent success at the plate will bebrsubstantially less difficult.