"I've seen plenty of batting slumps," the manager told one of
his coaches. "But I've never had a whole lineup in a slump
before."
        The team had lost 10 of its last 20 games, scoring only
eight runs during that whole stretch. The best they'd done
was four hits in a game.
        "We have to try something different," the manager said
to his batting coach.
        "What do you have in mind?" the batting coach asked
warily.
        "I'm going into the batting cage myself," the manager
said.
        The coach tried to talk him out of it. But the manager
was desperate, willing to try anything.
        With the whole team watching, the coach swung at the
first pitch and missed. He missed the second pitch. Ditto the
third, fourth, and fifth. On the sixth pitch, he just nicked
the ball, which dribbled back to the pitcher's mound.
        The manager slammed his bat to the ground, turned
around, and stared at his players. "That's how you guys look
at the plate!" he yelled. "Now get up there and HIT the ball!"