Hit It Here

I was asked a question recently by the mother of two players I am working with.  One player is 8 yrs old and the other 13 .  They are doing pretty good.  They have ability.

After a recent session, we were talking about what to work on and she asked me… “When they are done with this, will they be able to hit?” Interesting question!

She compared what she was asking to her daughter taking gymnastics lessons.  When she had completed her lessons, she was able to do back handsprings, round offs, front flips and so on.  Comparing that, she wanted to know if when her boys were done would they be able to hit?

I asked her if they were able to hit when they got here?  She said yes, but not very good.  I said, then certainly they will be able to hit when they are done.  Surely better than when they first started.  I found this question so interesting because it raised the question in my mind of expectations(by the player, their parents or both).  If a player comes to me without even the ability to hit at all, I doubt I can give them that ability by trying to teach them the technique of the best hitters in the world.  As I usually explain to players and parents, my training area is not a “microwave oven” where you enter it for a short period of time and then you’re “DONE” as a hitter.  Take the fork OUT, you’re just beginning.  Hitting is a lifelong pursuit that takes constant and continued work.

I shared this experience in a special communication forum with a group of my fellow Mike Epstein Certified Instructors asking them how they would answer the same question this mom had asked me.  I got some great feedback and wanted to share it with you.   Here are the responses I received from other instructors:

Todd,

Interesting question, especially if she really meant what she asked. My initial response would have been to tell her that they already know how to hit otherwise you could not work with them. What you’ll teach them is the swing of the most successful professional baseball players, how to properly use their entire body to hit with more power, and a set of drills for them to continue to consistently improve their swing. Hitting is a journey of constant improvement, and you are giving them a set of tools and pointing them in the direction that will take them to their destination in the most direct route. Ultimately, though, it will be up to them to put what they learn into practice, and to practice what they learn.

Brian Evans
Starkville, MS

My thought about hitting and this and what I share with my students and parents is that hitting is the “Right Swing” at the “Right Pitch” at the “Right Time” PLUS the Right Approach at the plate. Obviously as Mike Epstein instructors we are primarily focused on teaching the “Right Swing”. Successful hitters must also master the other key variables of pitch recognition and timing/contact zones etc. as well as the approach they carry into the batters box. I would tell this parent that by completing the program their baseball players will be as proficient at the Right Swing part of hitting as their daughter was at back handsprings. Without claiming to be any kind of a gymnastics expert, I am sure there are additional success factors associated with that sport as there are with hitting a baseball.

Best Regards, Allen Williams

I usually tell them we can build in the proper swing
mechanics, but cannot guarantee success because of the many
variables Allen mentioned before. I explain to them what they
do between the lines goes a long way and many players
become mental or try to hard to succeed; these are things
we cannot control. I show them on the screen how they compare
to the great hitters mechanically in hopes their confidence
builds and they trust themselves in the "stressful" situations.
I have worked with players that absolutely knock the cage
down (college age)and never sniff any significant playing
time because they don't take it between the white lines.
In the same breath, I have parents write me and say my son
looks great in BP, but in the games they are not performing
the same swing....unfortunately, this is between the ears
and out of our control.

The bottom line is, we can give them the blueprint for success,
 but not all players were born to perform....
that is why Manny has 2 rings and Arod none:)  

Jake Epstein

I know from my daughter's experience that it takes
a long time and a lot of lessons to do well at
gymnastics. 8 lessons would only get someone started. 
My answer would be that he would hit better than
he would had he not taken the lessons because he
now knows the proper fundamentals. How much better
depends on how much he is willing to work at applying
what he is being taught in the lessons.
I also encourage parents to consider continuing with
regular weekly lessons (after the initial  to help
burn the muscle memory in and/or brush up lessons
periodically for the same purpose. I have found
that an extra 3-4 lessons over a period of a few
weeks can be really helpful in cementing in the memory.

  D. Owen

As a customer of Mike Epstein, with only high school baseball experiences, I started by reading the “Linear vs. Rotational” article.  Then, I read the “Slotting the Back Elbow” article.  After careful consideration of what Mike was saying in those articles and my limited knowledge of hitting, I decided to buy the videos and his books with the intent of helping my 15 yr old daughter hit better. However, at that point could Mike or Jake guarantee that my daughter was going to hit better or hit at all? No. From the beginning, Mike and Jake made it very clear that just for the body/mind to break from it’s old muscle memory, my daughter (or any hitting student) would need to swing at least 2000 to 3000 times using the ”new” technique.  After studying the books and implementing the core techniques in the videos, my daughter’s progress was very slow. So, in April I attended the Instructor Certification program in Denver . And from May ’08 through today, we continue to learn the “most challenging thing to do in all of sports.” In July, my daughter and I were in the Denver-area so  I asked Jake if he would help me by working with her while we were in the area.  Jake immediately spotted what she was failing to execute properly.  This is after thousands of practice swings and numerous outings “between the lines” against excellent pitching. She wasn’t striking-out. She was hitting the ball and hard most of the time, but she wasn’t hitting “line-drives”. Jake and Mike spotted it immediately. So, from July through today, we continue to perfect her learning and execution of the full Epstein rotational hitting method. Can she hit? Yes. But is this the measure of success? As Mike clearly points out, he and Jake will help any student hit to his or her “potential.” So, the cold reality for parents, such as the me and the lady who asked you the question, is that that depends on our child’s intent to better themselves using the proper technique and their unique God-given talents and abilities. The extraordinary models are out there: Albert Pujols/Manny Ramirez/Jessica Mendoza … But as you know, it takes countless hours of practice and dedication just to learn the technique, not to mention, game situation hitting.  Consequently, this is much like the study of material arts, however, hitting proficiency isn’t measured by “Masters,” using colored belts. But in my humble opinion, after 4 short days of hitting instruction, most 8-15 year olds would still be considered  ”white belts.” To become a “black belt” in rotational hitting, the road is long and hard. Will this parent’s kids be able to hit the ball at a “white belt” level next week or next month? Most likely, yes. Will they progress to become “black belt” experts like Albert, Manny or Mike Epstein? That depends on their inner will to learn, parental support, teachers like you, and God’s physical and mental gifts to those children. We are in a very unique position to help young people learn to hit their potential, with the knowledge and experience of Mike Epstein. Today’s student of rotational hitting has a tremendous opportunity to improve his/her skill immensely through Mike Epstein’s system, but, from what I’ve seen with my prized student, there are no short cuts and they will only get back what they are willing to put in.

Good Luck, JBG

Are you a “black belt” in hitting?  I like that analogy!  Are you a white belt that wants to be an instant black belt?  Then be prepared to get your tail kicked pretty bad.  Sorry!   Every player and their parents should subscribe to these 4 principles.  Be PATIENT: Don’t expect immediate huge success.  It takes time and work and more for some than others.  Be REALISTIC:  Don’t expect to actually become Manny Ramiriez or ARod.  Have realistic expectations of success.  Be POSITIVE: Keep a positive attitude.  Take the “My NEXT at-bat will be my best at-bat EVER!” attitude.  Always looking forward to your next chance to beat that darn pitcher.   Be PERSISTENT: Continue to work.  Always continue to work on your skills.  It’s a marathon, not a sprint!