I have to say one of the most knowledgable hitting instructors that I have had the pleasure to listen to is Justin Stone (White Sox Academy- Lisle, IL). I had the pleasure of listening to him present this past weekend at the Wheaton North High School Baseball Coaches Clinic and he did a great job, like always.
He breaks down the swing better than anyone I have ever heard speak (7 years of attending clinics) on the topic in person. After he concluded speaking, I leaned over to a fellow coach, who has professional baseball experience and over 10 years of coaching experience, and he agreed that Justin was one of the best he has encountered.
I am sure that his knowledge and communication skills make him an excellent instructor.
Bret! How're doing, buddy? How're classes going, finals next week? Hope you do well. Don't forget to get a good night's sleep and eat a good breakfast.
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas.
I agree about Justin Stone. The way he was able to break down the swing was pretty amazing. His enthusiasm was second to none... well maybe second only to the guy who presented in front of him. I've never gotten chewed out at a clinic before. It was a good experience.
BC, I agree, Stone is one of the best in the business.
Mark Hayward--Ballyard Academy Carol Stream, ELmhurst, Glen Ellyn, Glendale Heights, Oak Park Area
Great with kids and teams I have coached. He is continuing to help my 14U son reach his potential in hitting, fielding, and pitching and many other teams. A true student of the game, like his brother Steve.
Great with kids and teams I have coached. He is continuing to help my 14U son reach his potential in hitting, fielding, and pitching and many other teams. A true student of the game, like his brother Steve.
How many pages did you have to go through to find this thread?
Biz must be slow for Steve. Hope he's doing well, though.
Biz must be slow for Steve. Hope he's doing well, though.
I heard that Steve was changing his name to Mark. Huh?
Wow . . . thanks for pulling this back to the top. It just kept me up a whole hour past my bed time.
I just read through the entire post and took a chronological tour of hitting instructors since I got into this back in 2004/2005.
Again, wow is all I can say.
Steve is still THE MAN by all accounts.
I just read through the entire post and took a chronological tour of hitting instructors since I got into this back in 2004/2005.
Again, wow is all I can say.
Steve is still THE MAN by all accounts.
There are a number of quality hitting instructors in the Chicago area. A few of them truly differntiate themselves. Phil Apostle has done a great job with the New Trier kids. Marco Fajardo has a tremendous reputation. Justin Stone is a great coach, and has a waiting list of players that want to work with him. All of these coaches still have a fire and interest in sharing their skills and background with young athletes. They are still fired up, about helping young ball players reach another level. They still have the purity of the sport at heart. I can not say the same for Steve. I have direct experience with him, his interest is more economic. He worked with one of my two sons for awhile. At one point I tried scheduling a session for both of my ball players which would have been about $45/player (multiple player cost). We scheduled and then he called back indicating that he wanted to add a third player. When I asked for another time, because I did not feel they would get enough reps, he hung up the phone. At first, I thought it was the phone, but he would not pick up the phone. I guess not being able to get $135/hour ****ed him off. "Put it on the board".
quote:Originally posted by 1958baseballfan:
There are a number of quality hitting instructors in the Chicago area. A few of them truly differntiate themselves. Phil Apostle has done a great job with the New Trier kids. Marco Fajardo has a tremendous reputation. Justin Stone is a great coach, and has a waiting list of players that want to work with him. All of these coaches still have a fire and interest in sharing their skills and background with young athletes. They are still fired up, about helping young ball players reach another level. They still have the purity of the sport at heart. I can not say the same for Steve. I have direct experience with him, his interest is more economic. He worked with one of my two sons for awhile. At one point I tried scheduling a session for both of my ball players which would have been about $45/player (multiple player cost). We scheduled and then he called back indicating that he wanted to add a third player. When I asked for another time, because I did not feel they would get enough reps, he hung up the phone. At first, I thought it was the phone, but he would not pick up the phone. I guess not being able to get $135/hour ****ed him off. "Put it on the board".
anybody here try hubie "magic"? mike huebner
quote:I can not say the same for Steve. I have direct experience with him, his interest is more economic.
Exactly. Here, too.
Sorry to resurrect a very old thread but I am looking for a quality hitting coach in the southwest suburbs of Chicago for my son? Plainfield, Yorkville, Aurora, Oswego area would be ideal. We have tried a number of local coaches but are looking for someone a bit more "elite". Thanks in advance!
I've seen some great results from Mike Day out of Dupage Training Academy-Carol Stream. My experience has been genuine investment, integrity and a thorough explanation of drills and purpose. If the drills are creating other habits that aren't productive for the hitter, he adjusts. He keeps current with new approaches to improving the swing. I also believe he has spent considerable time with Justin Stone when he was at the Bulls/Sox Academy. Mike is easy to get along with and will make your hitter improve their approach at the plate, pitch selection/prepare you for off speed-breaking balls. My only real regret is that we didn't go to him sooner.....
Drive up to Waukesha WI and hit with Sean Smith at Stiks Academy. He is not as well known nationally but that will begin to change as he has been the instructor for MLB 1st Round Draft Pick Jarred Kelenic.
WTH is this thread? Seems simple enough on the face of it, but seems to be about nothing but Chicago area instructors, with a good deal of politics, both baseball and otherwise, thrown in? Shame, it could be useful otherwise.
57, that is because this is a very old thread (2005) that was originally in the Illinois forum. When the format changed, delineation became much more difficult.
And high-level hitting instructors in the Aurora, Naperville, Plainfield, Bolingbrook, Joliet, area?
cabbagedad posted:57, that is because this is a very old thread (2005) that was originally in the Illinois forum. When the format changed, delineation became much more difficult.
ah, ok. Makes sense now. Was going to join in with my recommendation for a hitting coach in my area, but was confused.
What the hell. If you need some hitting help in the Twin Cities, look up Gene Larkin. He is awesome...a 6'2" Yoda with a Queens accent.
Anyone heard of Erik Lis or Connor Powers? Both are hitting instructors at the Baseball Institute out of Mokena and Romeoville, Illinois.
Joe Ferro out of Kenosha area is good and connected as it comes...building a new facility with a local draft pick and now MiLB Coach