avour of increasing head prote

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Royals shook up their coaching staff Thursday in an attempt to jumpstart their failing offence, making Dale Sveum the hitting coach and Mike Jirschele their third base coach. Pedro Grifol, who took over as hitting coach last season, will now instruct catchers. The moves were announced after the Royals finished off a disastrous homestand that included a sweep at the hands of Houston, and before they opened a four-game series in Toronto. Sveum said the Royals havent done a good enough job this season of hitting pitches in the upper half of the strike zone. "The bottom line is weve struggled with elevation and weve swung at pitches down in the zone probably way too much," he said. "From thigh high to the top of the strike zone, were not doing enough damage." The Royals began the day last in the majors with 21 homers, putting them on pace to match the 1976 club for the fewest in franchise history for a non-strike-shortened season. Theyre also last in the American League in runs and slugging percentage. "There is not one man in the lineup thats hitting the ball well," Royals designated hitter Billy Butler said Wednesday. "Were just cold." Yost said "a different voice can make a difference," to struggling batters, but the Royals have heard plenty of voices about hitting: Sveum is Kansas Citys fifth hitting coach in less than three seasons. The Royals let go of Kevin Seitzer two years ago in the hope that somebody else would help the club generate more power. Seitzer was eventually hired by the Blue Jays, who currently lead the majors with 76 homers -- more than Kansas City is on pace for all season. Jack Maloof and Andre David were hired before last season, but they only made it a couple of months before they were reassigned within the franchise. It was at that point that the Royals hired Grifol and Hall of Famer George Brett on an interim basis. The Royals showed signs of life once that duo was in charge, slowly climbing into playoff contention. Grifol was given the job on a full-time basis after Brett stepped down in July, but lasted less than a year in the role. "Hes the one that pulled us out of our trouble last year," Yost said of Grifol Thursday. "A year later, we find ourselves in the exact same spot." Sveum, a former Brewers and Cubs manager, had been serving as the Royals third base coach. But he also has plenty of experience as a hitting coach, helping Milwaukee finish in the top three of the National League in homers in each of his three seasons. "Hes got experience, he studies hitting," Yost said. "Hes got a lot of knowledge. He helped Prince Fielder get, in my opinion, to the next level as an offensive performer." Custom New York Knicks Jerseys . 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Red Bull became the first team other than Ferrari to run the Halo when they fitted the device during the Silverstone test Red Bull have previously trialled an Aeroscreen but ran the Halo for a solitary installation lap on Pierre Gaslys car at the second and final in-season test of 2016, and may fit it again on Day Two. Actually I was a bit surprised, it doesnt change much, said the young Frenchman. It looks a bit weird from the inside, you can see that you have something on top of your helmet. And also, the vision in the straight line when you look you see this triangle on the top. For sure it looks different.Fernando Alonso tops day one of testingI dont really like it. For me, F1 is always open cockpit and it doesnt look really like that with the Halo. From the inside it doesnt change much so well see what they say about it but I think F1 should stay as it is.Red Bulls participation came despite Christian Horners claims at the weekend that he would not vote the Halo through for next season, adding that it should not be rushed through.I am not a big fan of the halo and the limitations it has, the team principal said. It is an inelegant solution to the problem it is trying to deal with. I would prefer there to be more research time taken to do the job properly rather than rushing something tthrough that may have other consequences.dddddddddddd I certainly wouldnt vote in favour of it.Force India deputy team boss Bob Fernley, at Silverstone to observe youngster Nikita Mazepins progress, agreed with Horner.I believe that its too hasty, he told Sky Sports News HQs Craig Slater. We need to do a lot more work to understand that the Halo isnt going to create other problems - which I think it will do.Hamilton riding a wave of formWe should take our time and get the right solution and then introduce it. This is far too quick in my view. I think you could actually create other opportunities for injuries to drivers and therefore its not the right solution.Ferrari ran the device during pre-season testing in Barcelona and Practice One at the British GP but Sebastian Vettel, who completed an installation lap with the Halo on the second occasion and is in favour of increasing head protection in F1, was also not completely convinced. Ferraris revised Halo cockpit head-protection system made its debut in the opening practice session of the the British Grand Prix at Silverstone I think it needs some further running, the German said. I know the decision is up fairly soon.FIA F1 race director Charlie Whiting has instructed teams to design 2017 cars with the Halo in mind. However, for the system to be voted in, it must go through the strategy group of leading teams, the FIA and F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone, the F1 Commission and the FIA World Council.Dont miss Wednesdays F1 Report at 8.30pm as Sky F1s Ted Kravitz and 1981 Silverstone winner John Watson join Marc Priestley to review the British GP and Lewis Hamiltons latest triumph. Also See: Live blog: Silverstone in-season test Brundle: Special Silverstone delivers ' ' '