What are the best hitting programs out there?

bilybatz:

If you look down on the list of topics on the site you will see "Strength and Conditioning" as well as one entitled "Hitting". I think some answers can be found there. That would be the place to then ask specific questions on this topic. In the meantime, welcome to the HSBBW.

Who is Chris O'Leary? Whether posters agree or not, without having a pi$$ing contest who are the known hitting gurus?

Epstein
Mankin
Lau
Englishby
Slaught

Regardless of the names listed the best hitting instructor is the local guy you can work with, who teaches you proper mechanics and helps make you a better hitter. I never asked the guy who worked with my son what hitting guru he worships. I saw the results with previous clients and my son.

And I thought O'Leary strictly dabbled in pitching...

Thanks, yeah most of the Gurus that were mentioned are all rotational guys. Perhaps that's the way to go? I was always taught that rotational guys have a problem with the curve balls. I guess you just can't miss the fastball. (Ted Williams)

Thanks for the input...

quote:

Originally posted by billybatz:
Thanks, yeah most of the Gurus that were mentioned are all rotational guys. Perhaps that's the way to go? I was always taught that rotational guys have a problem with the curve balls. I guess you just can't miss the fastball. (Ted Williams)

Thanks for the input...

Don't get caught up in the terms rotational and linear. They are marketing terms to differentiate teaching styles. You want to have a major league swing. Watch and break down film of the best professional hitters frame by frame.

In the St. Louis area, Rick Strickland who runs the St. Louis Pirates program has a good following and has produced great results for many. He has an instructional DVD, "Hit with Power" that is very good. www.hitwithpower.com

I subscribed to the "TW-BIFY" just because it is rather cheap and can be done every day before the sun sets. BTW, the above stands for-

"Throw wiffle-ball in front yard"

G-man - funny, your comment reminds me
In spite of all the money spent on hitting coaches, it seems like my kid's best quality work-outs were their marathon "lawn-chair ball" sessions.

They used a tennis ball, stupidly heavy bats, and marked off zones for single, double, etc. Anything that touched fabric on the lawn chair was a strike. They never ran bases, just stood in the box and took cuts, while arguing about the accounting of base runners.

They threw from such a short distance (30' ish) that the timing was about like a mid-to-high 80's fastball. They would play until you could barely see, every night. When he was doing that regularly, his game-day hitting was always at its best. My theory is that it forced them to keep their swing short, and their hands inside the ball. But who knows.

When (if) he ever grows up and gets a paying job, I'll have to get him to replace that garage door.

I'm with RJM on this. Find a local hitting instructor that is known for teaching as well as the results on his students. Don't fall into the "so and so" played pro ball and therefore he must be good trap. Lot's of good instructors, some are just better then the others.

DVR is a wonderful thing to learn hitting, use it.

The Best Hitting Program

Bring a bat and a bucket of balls and hit around the field, fungo.

This will show you your power spot, your best angle on the swing, the best bat for you to use and your most comfortable stance.

Then get a bunch of guys together and play home run derby using what you learned in hitting fungo.

Fine tuning can be done with video analysis and the like, but your basic feel for hitting will be established.

Be proficient in bunting, hitting with a choked up grip and handle grip.

My son has personally worked with Englishbey and Epstein when he was younger. Epstein was helpful but I believe Englishbey was much better.
I dont agree with the Mankin stuff, I have his DVD.
I have not seen the Slaught stuff so can not comment on it.

quote:

Originally posted by RJM:
Epstein
Mankin
Lau
Englishby
Slaught

Regardless of the names listed the best hitting instructor is the local guy you can work with, who teaches you proper mechanics and helps make you a better hitter.

I would add John Mallee and John Cohen to your list. I think Mallee is the best of the bunch and is an active MLB hitting coach with the Florida Marlins.

I wish we could find a local guy but we have found that at least 90% of the guys who offer hitting lessons don't really know what they are doing. If you invest some time learning proper mechanics and developing a critical eye, you might be your sons best option for a hitting coach.

Your mileage may vary....

Rudy Jamarillo would be another nationally known hitting guru.

Billy

Sent you p.m.

quote:

Originally posted by RJM:
Rudy Jamarillo would be another nationally known hitting guru.

He must be with MiLB. The hitting coach
with the longest tenure in MLB, who signed with
the Cubs this year is Rudy Jaramillo.

Jaramillo's keeps it simple with his five step approach

- See The Ball

- Rhythm

- Separation

- Stay "Square"

- Weight Shift and Transfer

Hard to believe Texas let him get away. His 5-steps covers all the essentials. Like many others here, I suggest a local Instructor who has an approach that both you and your son feel are right for him AND and the tools to teach it!

Augment with home hitting; cage or Jugs-net, and work regularly (daily or at least every other day) on those basics. And then play as much as possible. There you go, the keys to be all you can be. Good luck all..

Though my form was better than these players, I did the same thing, hours on end, all through high school. I could hit anything anywhere.
Classical Hitter's Training