Top hitting instructors

Todd Poe in Southern Illinois at the Future Swings Academy.

Marty Patterson, Todd Fine, and Steve Hayward are among the best.

Mark Hayward at the Ballyard in Elmhurst.

Todd Fine and Marty Patterson

Pat Whealy and Jim Donovan at Strikes.

This is always a great thread. But my vote always go's to Steve Hayward at Strikes Baseball Acadamy. I always leave Strikes knowing that I am a better hitter than when I got there. Thanks Steve for all you have done for me.

Are Steve Hayward and Mark Hayward related?

The newest fellow with the best instruction is Joe Mazzuca. One of the best hitter's in Illinois HS history is giving lessons @ Mother Guerin on weekends. He can be contacted @ (708)227-4819

Soxnole- Is Joe still affiliated with a team?

Sox...agreed. Joe is certainly one of the best and the kids respond well to him. Bobby Stevens has improved greatly working with Joe, as have others. Anyone interested in getting lessons from Joe can call the number that Sox provided or PM me.

stickwatcher, Joe has received offers and is evaluating them. He has a few options as he asked for and received his release from the Florida Marlins.

il2008
How many miles are you from Stikes?

lol...In my opinion, when you hit .207 and strike out 1 out of every 4 times to the plate and you're 22 or so, they release you, you don't ask them for a release.

MLB organizations are real harsh on college players who they deem to be "organizational players" and don't produce immediately...Their attitude: let's see what we get in the next draft.

I was a hamburger, I know. All of you in high school hoping to get drafted and then give up some college and college money for $750 per month (for 3 months and then you have to get a real job) and a couple of coupons to McDonald's.

That is why school/college is so important for high schoolers...Can take away your dream of playing professional baseball, but they can't take what you have in your mind away from you.

Pony Mom- We come from Batavia to go to Strikes, it's about 35 minutes on a Sunday afternoon so it's about 30 miles. It's worth it!

Just Curious if the following take hitting lesson's and with who?
R.O'connor- oprf
D.Cales ss- mt.carmel
B.Steven's Holy Cross
M.Stalowy JCA.
N.Mitidiero Lockport.
J. Benson Jca.
k.Smalley St.Charles

I have been to strikes, and Steve is great. Right now i have been going to MVP in Lake forest for my lessons.

I believe Cales, Powers and Brewer work out at Strikes.

Ruairi O'Connor has worked with Pat Whealy @ Strikes for the past 8 years.

Stevens - works with Joe Mazzuca and at WSA with Marco (sorry don't know last name), but he has worked with many pros including A-Rod.

David Cales hits 3 or 4 nights a week from Nov to the end of Feburay at line drive . Works out with John Malee once a month for the past two years went he's in. Also had about 5 lessons with Steve at strikes.

batboy - hope all is well. I know David & Zagone signed with Mizzou but I never saw the rest of their class, do you have any info on that. Thanks

Hope every thing going well with you. I can't wait for is final year of HS baseball to start. Hope your son the best.This is what i found . Missouri Signing Class
RHP Aaron Crow - Wakarusa, Kansas (Washburn Rural)
LHP Ron Martin - St. Louis, Missouri (Forest Park CC)
C Dan Wise - Olathe, Kansas (North)
LHP Rick Zagone - Crystal Lake, Illinois (Prairie Ridge)
INF Kyle Mach - Chesterfield, Missouri (Parkway West)
RHP Brett Reynolds - Pea Ridge, Arkansas (Crowder CC)
2B Clay Ivy - Knoxville, Tennessee (Farragut)
LHP Ryan Lollis - Houston, Texas (Houston Christian)
RHP Jeff Duda - British Columbia (Central Arizona CC)
LHP Cory Lambert - Bryant, Arkansas (Bryant)

There are a lot of great hitting instructor's in the Chicago area. Here are my pick's to hit.
Jim Donovan Strikes
Jack Perconte Jack Perconte sports acadmy
Mark Hayward Ball Yard
Todd Fine
Pat Whaley Strikes
Joe Rodeghero USA
Jim Hall
Shaun Sanderson
This is just a few of the great instructors that are in the Illinois area.

You're being too modest Steve. Steve Hayward should be on that list...

Right at the top of the list!

i take lessons from steve hayward at strikes

ConPow, you have a PM.

CON POW....
Who are you ?and what school do you play for?

connor powers, benet academy 06

Connor Powers,
Saw your article in the New HS baseball Mag. COngrats on being rated the best junior in the state! I have seen you play in the summer, and think you mite be the on of the best hitter's in the State!!!
Boy! that Truth baseball mag. is awesome!

thanks huskie

Conner,

Keep up the good work.
You are one of the nicest & most humble young men that I've had the pleasure to get to know.

Give "party Patti" our best.

Steve Sonen

il2008;
How old is your son? Does he play travel ball?

new2thisite- My son is a freshman at Batavia and played for Wasco 13's last summer. This summer his playing with the Wisconsin Diamond Kings as well as the high school summer team. If your from LT do you work out at Strikes?

New- Sorry just read your profile, thought you might be a player. Any chance your son's are players I've heard of?

i hit with steve hayward 2 to 3 times a week. He makes me a 100 time better hitter. I've been hitting with him since i was a Sophomore. Steve is the man. Ummm BOP Steve!!

If lt-brew-ss is Dan Brewer I just wanted to say my dad saw you play, and said your the best short-stop he has seen since he played against Paul Petrulus of Oak Park,back a while ago . He say's you are a better hitter but he gives the edge to petrulus in fielding so work on your fielding lol, my dad told me to write this.

There are many more geat hitting instructors, most of the ones people have named i have seen work with other and they really dont do anything they just throw short toss and thats it. I have never ever seen any of them throw farther back than that.

Pitch12......

I might not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but doesn't it stand to reason that if you were standing further away from the hitter, wouldn't it be more difficult to properly see the swing. After all, wouldn't the tosser/pitcher be trying to avoid being hit by the batted ball (we know there is some sort of screen being used)?

Have you ever tried tossing or pitching from behind a screen from some far distance (more than 15 feet), get it over the plate, and still be able to evaluate the hitters swing. I DON'T THINK SO!!!

If you can do this, let me know, because I would love to see this. I will even be more than happy to have my son take a lesson from you.

More . . .in regard to tossing BP versus throwing from sixty feet.

Logic says, If a batting coach is giving a lessons every 1/2 hour for six days a week, it would not be tooo long before a coach had no arm left.

pudge 72 i just wanted to say thanks for the post. ive been working on my fielding a lot this year. i know i need to improve on that more. but tell your dad thanks.

The hitting instructor at the White Sox Academy is Marco Fajardo. He worked directly with Charlie Lau Sr. for many years and is still affiliated with Charlie Lau Jr.

Charlie Lau from what I have read was one of the best hitting instructor's in the major league's

Where is Strikes located?

Yes, also wondering where strikes is at. Also how much per 1/2 hour or so, prices, thank you in advance

Go to:

www.strikesbaseball.com

Should give you all the info you need.

Jack perconte is very good instructor and played in the Major Leagues with the Mariners.

I was just wondering if Dan Brewer and Connor Powers who take lesson's at Strikes,Play on the same Travel team?

Pudge, they are both playing for top tier this summer. Conpow will do what Bisnette and I did last year and play for 17's and 18 year old team.

Id have to go with my instructor Todd Poe at the Future Swings Academy. He has helped me get my rythym back after I tore my PCL and I am now a better hitter than I ever was before. I give many thanks to Todd and his crew for helping me get to where I am now, otherwise I probably would not have gotten a scholarship to college. By far Todd Poe is the best hitting instructor I have worked with.

I agree, there are many outstanding hitting instructors in the area. Steve Hayward is great. Also a big fan of Phil Apostle at the StrikeZone in Glenview.

To k13:
Are you a coach ?

Yes, I am a high school pitching coach.

I would like to add a name here. I took my son to work out last night with Wes Chamberlain, the former Phillies player.

He's a class act and has a very interesting insight on hitting. I was very impressed with him and he was an immediate help.

He is working at the "Triple Crown Academy", in Schererville, IN.

I thought that my swing was getting too long, so I went to see my favorite hitting instructor . The results speak for themselves.
8 for 15 with 3HR last 5 games.
Steve Hayward RULES!

Bret25, that's great, keep up the good work!!!

oach Steve Haywood is the name on the street as the best, plus he is a loyal American and wears great hats. (Steve, we met this summer in Indianapolis. You watched my son pitch against and beat a humbled Rawlings National team in 8 innings). One special hitting coach who is not associated with a private school is Al Liermann. Al is currently a coach for Addison Trail and has a son Ryan who was drafted by the White Sox and plays for Rockford I believe. Al understands hitting.

Good pitching beat's good hitting all the time!

Beenthere: I would love to hear your top 5 hitting instructor's. Since I think your one of the most knowledgable baseball men on here.

Is there a web Site listing for Jack Perconte's? It would be sweet if there was a listing of all the Baseball instructional place's,in Illinois.

Jack Perconte was one of the best player's I have ever seen! His baseball Academy number is
630-416-8666. 550 Indrustial Dr.Naperville 60563
Another Joliet player who made it to the Show!

LT-ss-Brew-3
Me and my dad saw you play against Lyden,your hitting was awesome! and my dad said your fielding was awesome too! You still taking lesson's at strikes? We want to see you hit. Plus do you know if Cf from Montini hits at strikes?? we have read about him on these post's and in the Tribune?

Waste of money instructors are go to the batting cages like I used too!

i hit with steve hayward at strikes.. i have been hitting with him for 3 years and he is the reason i have had 3 successful hitting seasons for montini. hitting with steve has been my best investment so far.. whats the good of going to the cages if u have a poor swing?
i reccomend steve to every gradeschool/highschool and college ball player.. he is the best

nl fan. What major D1 program or M.L.B. franchise did you play for?

Soxnole,
You took the words right out of my mouth.

Good one SoxNole

instructors take your money and could care less about how you do

NL fan:
The kid from Texas really did fly from Texas to Strikes for just a lesson!!He hit at llpm sat nite june 4th, and had a game today june 5th at 3pm today! Dan Brewer hit with him last nite, and Dan was named SUN-TIMES First Team Short-Stop, Along with Connor Powers of Benet,who was named First team first baseman!

Can any one tell me the Hitting Instructors who teach at White Sox Academy?

nlfan..............you must either own Stella's, have been living in a cave or....your just CHEAP!

O.F.04....The instructor's at WSA run the gamut. Many of ther better fellow's with good current hitting thought are now off for thier pro season. You really need to go to the WSA and pick someone out..they have several former player's and some excellent people to choose from. As I have noted on the board previously, the WSA is really about membership, which is hard to come by. IMO, if membership is unavailable, then Strikes would be a far better venue. Ask for Pat,Jim or Steve. You'll be glad that you did!

those who can hit,hit! Those who can't teach hitting!

lets hear it nlfan. what's your reasoning behind the vitrol?

NL fan,

Who are you and what kind of hitter are/were you? Your ignorance is crystal clear.

nl fan.
Jim Donovan was one of the best hitter's I have ever seen!! Jack Perconte ,great hitter! now if your talking about me? guilty,you must have been one of my coaches

Steve....you are way too humble

I know for fact there are quiet a number of players who wouldn't be the hitters they are without your help.

Stand up and take some deserved credit!!

It is quiet obvious that nl fan has no clue about the game and what it takes to be successful. @0 years ago...guys just knew how to hit...but the game has evolved and to be successful, smart players..."even those who know how to hit" fine tune with the help of someone who has a keen I.

I personally wouldn't lose any sleep by postings of nlfan

All the coaches. keep up the great work...the player value your services

I agree with you 100%.

I applaud everyone who has the skill and patience to teach kids.

Watch out for Hinsdale Central,Pat whaley is working with most of the hitter's. Has perfected the Home Run Swing .

I hate to admit it but there hitters, this summer, seem to be improved and maybe better than last years team. And this is coming from an LT dad.

BUT, don't let it go to your head to quickly! You still have to play all of the games, and you have seven months to wait!

Hinsdale Central, was shut out by an average pitcher from Benet, on 2 hit's. Home run hitter's do not win many game's for team's.

Good hitters don't always make great hitting coaches. I've been going to Perconte's for 6 years now and Jack has helped out a ton. I think it is important that the player gets along with the instructor also. Perconte was a good hitter, triple A batting champ, but also has a great knowledge for the game.

eastbaseball7, are you saying Perconte wasn't a good hitter? I thought he was a very good hitter!

nl Fan

I agree with you, there are a lot of Hitting Instructors out there that are bad, and just want your money. But there are a select few that are good, and who would probably do it for free if they could. If you or your child was not happy after a lesson, it may not have been the instructors fault. Athletes have to want to learn, they have to be coachable. If the kid does not have the drive and determination, you are right, don't waste your time or money ... because you darn well aren't going to get anything out of it.

Everybody wants to point a finger instead of looking in the mirror.

I would love to know if these good hitter's take lessons.?
Benson JCA
Powers BENET
Dispensa ST.RITA
Bookford GBW
Cerven minooka
Johanns Naperville
Weston L.T.
Courtwright lincoln Community hs.

Dispensa and Powers hit at Strikes.

To me, a good instructer is somebody that was a combination great hitter/ pitcher,and who played a high level of the game. Thats not to say guys who didnt play up can not be good. With experience comes knowledge and I think longer you play the game or coach the game the more you learn from the Coaches you play for. Jack Perconte would be a guy I would feel real comfortable sending a kid to. He was given many different philosophies from many different coaches and used what worked for him. There are alot of guys out there with great credentials, my advise is to use the good ones but don't stay with the same guy all the time. Get as much knowledge from as many different creditable people as you can. Much of being a good teacher is making the player beleive that what your telling him works. There are a whole bunch of different ways of getting it done. Being confident and beleiving in what your doing at the plate or on the mound is a big a part of game as any. Get your lessons and your Reps, what about the guys that played 20 yrs ago, Lessons? This isnt a lesson basher message, I have done a few, I beleive in giving some of the info back, just get blown away with the way people talk about whos the best. Am I the only guy who thinks this way? To the last guy , I beleive Powers is a strike guy, Weston is a Sam Sorci guy, Tommy Cervin I know has worked with John Cangelosi, The kid Courtright I beleive is better known for the leather and the speed and i couldnt tell you who he works with. Despensa is a strikes guy.

Bookford and Johanns take lesson's at Strikes.

Does anybody have an opinion regarding Dick Canan -- I think he gives lessons at Line Drive when it is open.

How many instructor's have Dispensa,Powers,Bookford,Benson,Johanns worked with? and when did they start?

Duecedoc; did you pitch and hit in college?

NL fan,

I hit a bunch of fungos in college. Them days ended for me when they introduced the deuce. Pitched in the Big 8 -12

NL fan , I see where you are coming from, I wasnt saying I hit / pitched in college, just saying whatever the instructer you are looking for I think you A- should have done it a a high level, B- can teach it at a high level. Pleanty of good players and instructers out there just find one that makes you happy and better.

I think Pat Whaley of strikes is the best at teaching the HOME RUN SWING!!!

I believe Wente is the best hitting instructor in the country let alone Illinois, though he is a stroke

chris hall out of playball usa is really good

I want to support all of the great hitting instructors out there. Wente must be the best bang for the buck..his lessons are free!

Wente is free? I thought he was at the Ballyard? I know he's a hell of a good guy and good baseball man too.

Wente is one of the all time good baseball men in the Chicago area. I was unaware he was @ the Ballyard.

Bill Zanon at PlayBall USA is an excellent hitting instructor. My son has worked with Bill for the last few years and has helped him tremendously. Wouldnt take him to anyone else.