OAKLAND, Calif. -- Five questions with Bruce Fields, starting his first full year as Indians hitting coach.

1. What is the key to coaching hitters?

A: "There are several keys ... timing, balance, barrel awareness. You have to know where the barrel of your bat is during your swing, but especially during your workout routines. I do a lot of barrel awareness stuff so guys know where their barrel is and their path and angle to the ball. We work on trying to maintain short, compact swings and centering the ball."

2. This is the 40th year that the designated hitter has been used. As a hitting coach, how do you feel about the DH?

A: "People from the National League will tell you that that's a better game because there is more strategy. But I like to see hitting. I like to see guys drive the ball. ... I'm a proponent of the DH."

3. You played 14 years, including 58 games in the big leagues with Detroit and Seattle. What kind of hitter were you?

A: "Typically I was a middle of the field, line drive-type hitter. ... I sprayed the ball around and used the other field. (Fields had a .295 average in 1,381 minor-league games.)

4. How are your sons, Aaron and Daniel, doing in pro ball?

A: "My oldest son, Aaron, is in extended spring training with the Indians waiting for an opportunity. He's a utility infielder who made it to [Class A] Lake County last year. Daniel is playing for Detroit in the Florida State League at [Class A] Lakeland. He was a shortstop coming out of high school. Now he's a center fielder."

5. How difficult was it to replace Jon Nunnally, who was dismissed by the Indians in June, 2011?

A: "That first day was tough. It was a change and, to be honest, people don't like change. But the guys were really professional. The thing that really helped is that the guys knew me because I was in the organization. (Fields was the Indians minor league hitting coordinator from 2007 until his promotion.)