Hitting Lessons & Batting Cages

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. When looking to hire a private coach for your athlete, ask about their coaching experience. Beware of ex-professional players they rarely make good coaches, especially for coaching youth athletes. Look for a coach with a track record for helping players improve their game. Ask if they use 'Video Analysis'. Also, ask them if they have a coaching plan. And, ask them if they teach every player the same way or do they develop a strategy for your player's needs. Finally, choose a coach who will challenge your athlete to reach their full potential. One who will address their physical and mental approach to the game.

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. Hitting a baseball or softball is not rocket science. On the other hand, its not easy. You are trying to hit a round ball with a round bat. Some have said that it is the most difficult skill to master in all sports. Yogi Berra, famous catcher for the Yankees, once said "90% of hitting is half mental".

The secret to hitting is: there is no secret! However, there are specific skills or 'keys' that all good hitters do when hitting successfully.

Practice does NOT make perfect, it makes permanent. Learn the keys, how to practice and just do it!

Learn how to be mentally tough, how to perfect your swing, how to see the ball and the more fun you have the better you'll perform...

Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?

A. What is your coaching experience?
What age groups have you worked with?
Do you have a plan?
Do your players get better?
Do you challenge your players?
Do you like coaching?
Do you have a mentor?
Do you teach all hitters the same way?
Do you use video to analyze hitters?

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. Will your child use what they learn?
Will they practice correctly?
Are they coachable?
Will they put in the time necessary to justify your investment?
Identify their goals and be careful about unrealistic expectations.

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. As a coach I strive to help players get better, learn how to play aggressive winning baseball/softball, and how to have fun doing it!

One thing that separates me from other hitting instructors is my experience and training as a coach. I am not an ex-ballplayer. I'm a coach.

Another thing that separates me is that I teach hitting; the mechanics of the swing, proper vision skills, confidence, mental toughness and the proper approach to hitting. I don't just sit on a bucket do soft-toss.

I teach the proper sequence of the swing. What happens when and why. How to practice and the drills to help any hitter reach their full potential...

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. Helping hitters get better and to have more fun! Working with baseball and softball players. Seeing them improve. Most of all, seeing them light up when they do it in their games. And, helping them reach their goals...

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. What is my availability? Sun, Mon, Tues, & Special Appts
What are my rates?
$35 per lesson. See website for Discount Plans.
What is your experience?
20+ yrs coaching + 7 yrs private instruction.

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. That hitting isn't complicated, but it takes a lot of work. Even the best hitters fail more than they succeed. To be a consistent hitter you have to practice correctly and often. Once or twice a week isn't enough. And, everyone teaches "rotational" hitting. Lastly, there is a lot of mis-information about hitting and everyone who has ever played college or pro thinks they know how to teach hitting.

About me: That I spent 15 years coaching before I really learned how to teach hitting. That I spent 3 years learning what "good" hitting really is and another 7 perfecting my approach to effectively working with hitters.

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. I watch the best hitters in the world as often as possible. I watch how they train, how they react to challenges and their approach to hitting. I stay in touch with my mentor, Dave Hudgens, currently the NY Mets hitting coach. I go to Spring Training every few years to see what's new and how it helps hitters. I watch hundreds of hours of video every year. I video hitters of all levels to compare what works and what doesn't. And, I read a lot of Harvey Dorfman!