Rich talks about why putting the bat against your shoulder helps technique.
It’s not a question of can you…It’s a question of will you?
Monday, October 31, 2022
Friday, October 28, 2022
1920–1975: Rotational hitting – Baseball’s “Golden Era"
As discussed earlier, rotational hitting is somewhat similar to linear hitting. As in linear hitting, there is also a “weight-shift" executed in rotational hitting. However, this is where the similarity ends. Perhaps the best way to describe the difference is with an illustration.
“Shoeless" Joe Jackson (photo left) is generally credited with being baseball’s first “rotational" hitter. (In those days, it was called “pivot hitting.") He was considered the first “average and power" hitter of the twentieth century. I don’t think there is any question that had he not been expelled for allegedly gambling from major league baseball at the tender age of 31, that the numbers he put up in his career would be even more eye-popping.
In 1911, Jackson’s first full major league season, he hit .408. Military service interrupted his career in 1918 and the Black Sox Scandal ended it after the 1920 season.
In his nine full seasons, he averaged 190 hits and 60 extra-base hits. His .356 lifetime batting average was lower than Cobb’s (.367), but his slugging percentage of (.518) was a few points higher. In 1920, he hit .382 with 12 home runs and a .589 slugging percentage. Had he not been banned from baseball, his power numbers would have been even more impressive.
His hitting technique and his fluent style at the plate caught the eye of a young Boston Red Sox rookie named Babe Ruth (photo, below left) around 1915. Over time, Ruth emulated Jackson’s hitting movements and perfected them. As he became more proficient with the rotational technique, Ruth’s production numbers and power soared. By 1918 he was hitting 11 home runs a year. In 1919, 29. And, in 1920, he hit 59. This figure totaled more than the rest of the clubs in the American League combined!
One of the most enduring things I have found in all my years in baseball is that it is a “copy cat" game. The “best" hitter will be emulated by the other players. A few years ago, it was Barry Bonds. Today, it is Albert Pujols, Josh Donaldson, Miguel Cabrera and in 1920, it was Babe Ruth.
Interestingly, all players who are emulated seem to be power hitters. Maybe it’s just me, but I cannot ever remember the hitting mechanics of a singles/contact-type hitter being something that others have wanted to copy. Perhaps it’s too difficult to learn, not aesthetically pretty to the eye, or just not productive. My gut feeling is it’s because most hitters want to be run producers.
Ruth’s hitting dominance captivated his peers—and the fans. Attendance skyrocketed as more and more fans turned out to watch his towering home runs leave the ball park. And, as Ruth continued his hitting supremacy, more and more players emulated his hitting movements; they also wanted a piece of the action and glory.
Baseball was now heading towards its “Golden Era" of hitting. This era spawned the likes of Gehrig, Foxx, Ott, Hornsby, Greenberg, DiMaggio, Williams, Mantle, Aaron, Mays, Yastrzemski, Frank Robinson, and Harmon Killebrew. It continues today with Story, Murphy, Arenado, Davis, Stanton, Bogaerts, Pujols, A-Rod, Altuve, Pedroia, Correia, Posey, et al. All are rotational hitters. When you look at the names of the linear hitters mentioned earlier, Nap Lajoie, Eddie Collins, Tris Speaker and “Wee Willie" Keeler, you may shake your head and say, “Never heard of them." But we all recognize the names of the rotational hitters. The above-mentioned hitters read like a “Who’s Who" in baseball.
Why? Simply, because people remember the dominant hitters. They identify with them. These players produce the runs, make the money, and grab the headlines. And, guess what?: they all shared a common technique. Their hitting approaches were all rotational.
Tuesday, October 25, 2022
Pre-1920: The Linear Hitting Technique
Linear hitters do not use their total bodies in their swings. Rather, it is a “hands and arms"-type swing. As a rule, linear-type hitters have become the foundation for describing one of my three hitting types: the Singles/Contact-type hitter.
Before talking about linear hitting, it is best to define it. “Linear," by definition, means “Of, relating to, or resembling a line; straight." A linear hitter starts with his weight over his rear leg and transfers his weight to a point over his front leg as he swings. It is a straight-line, back-to-front movement.
For many reasons, the linear hitting approach was the technique of choice before 1920; the singular, most important reason was that there were no outfield fences at that time.
When studying the historical transition of hitting techniques over different time periods, one thing becomes increasingly evident. Any changes made were simply “cycles" during which smart hitters adapted to playing conditions the best they could. As an example, the “Dead Ball Era" was, in reality, just a period during which field design and “dead" baseballs did not reward the batter who drove the ball a long way in the air. Thus, linear type hitters thrived.
However, the dominant hitters of that era, Ty Cobb (photo, left), “Shoeless" Joe Jackson, Sam Crawford, Honus Wagner, “Home Run" Baker, et al, clearly used rotational mechanics. As you look at Ty Cobb to the left, this is an action photo as he is at toe touch, just before heel plant and the beginning of his swing-technique. The hands depict a “hitch” he had, but he returned to the universal launch position like 95% of HOF players did.
While the concept of hitting “level to the ball" was not in vogue because there were no fences, the dominant hitters, i.e., those that generated the highest number of total bases, did use “torque" and hip rotation to generate their power. The swings of that era were “flat" to “down"—on occasion, even a “chop"—to better take advantage of large outfields and porous infield defenses.
Hitting balls in the air in those days was tantamount to failure. It was near impossible to hit one over an outfielder’s head. Most home runs in those days were “gap" line drives which got past the outfielders and just keep rolling.
Today, those hitters of yesteryear with their “level" shoulders hitting approach, would be classified as “linear" hitters. Top linear hitters of this era included Nap Lajoie, Eddie Collins, Tris Speaker, and “Wee Willie" Keeler.
The game of baseball in those days was one of strategy, centered on bunts, hit-and-run tactics and base stealing. Not to mention field managers that would water down the area in front of home plate. Most runs were “manufactured" and every run was critical.
In 1910, the cork-centered baseball was introduced and the game became livelier and the pace quickened. Babe Ruth came on the scene and single-handedly introduced a whole new style of play with the home run. Fenced-in ballparks took the place of the large open fields. The change in venues helped seal the demise of linear hitting.
Starting in 1920, the game would change forever. Or, at least until 1975.
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Saturday, October 22, 2022
Hitting and Pitching Video Analysis - The Baseball Barn
Rich talks about the use of video analysis for hitting and pitching.
It’s not a question of can you…It’s a question of will you?
Wednesday, October 19, 2022
Epstein Hitting System
I have worked with and received personal instruction from Mike and Jake Epstein, who were trained by Ted Williams and have attained their Master Certified Instructor Level; currently 1 of only 6 in the entire country of 700 Certified Instructors. If you are not familiar with Mike, click here—> Mike Epstein to read more about Mike’s thoughts on hitting:
The Two Hitting Techniques
Since baseball’s earliest beginnings, hitters have used only two hitting techniques:
Rotational and Linear.
Both of these hitting techniques “weight-shift" in similar fashions. At a singular, defined point in time, the techniques dissociate and follow dissimilar paths. The rotational technique becomes circular and rotates around a stationary axis. The linear technique continues moving progressively forward (on a progressively forward-moving axis-lunging).
Sunday, October 16, 2022
We live by one simple measure of success.Yours.
• Personal Instruction
• Awareness is the first step; let's take it together
• “I realize that we live in a “microwave society" where everyone wants everything “yesterday.” Unfortunately, Mother Nature makes no allowances for hitters in this regard. Becoming a good hitter takes time—and patience. Believe me, talking with many players who have been there and done it at baseball’s highest levels, everyone agrees that there are no shortcuts-None.
• Teaching hitting should be presented in a logical, progressive, and straight-forward manner to the student. It should also make sense. There is little to gain from a haphazard, non-structured approach to the learning process. It's a waste of time and money.
• In sports, players rarely get a second chance to make a good first impression. Taking the time necessary to choose a hitting instructor and the philosophy you can live with, is very important to their continued advancement."
• Take the first step…
• Our individual and group lessons typically last 70-90 minutes and always include full use of theEpstein Swing Analyzer motion analysis computer with a 32" flat screen display. Parents are welcome and encouraged to attend, watch, and learn with their son/daughter to make this a one-of-a-kind learning experience.
• For local players, we offer no-risk swing evaluations to determine the player's current mechanics. The evaluation typically lasts 75-90 minutes and encompasses the player's swing analysis, mechanics review and history, as well as frame-by-frame on-screen synchronization with current MLB All-Stars. The evaluation is a wonderful way to not only see one's swing compared to MLB players, but also former Epstein and Baseball Barn hitters of the same age and ability level.
• Awareness is the first step; let's take it together. I urge you to contact us today to find the right program for your son or daughter.
It’s not a question of can you…It’s a question of will you?
Thursday, October 13, 2022
This Is What a 100 MPH Fastball Looks Like Up Close
Enjoy This Is What a 100 MPH Fastball Looks Like Up Close! Subscribe to Made The Cut for more mlb content!
It’s not a question of can you…It’s a question of will you?
Monday, October 10, 2022
Hitting Instruction
Hitting a baseball and teaching the major league swing have been an endeavor I have taken to heart over the past few years. Being mentored—and certified—by Ted Williams has given Mike Epstein insights into the science of proper hitting technique that very few have ever had access to; For baseball or softball. They continually upgrade their products and teaching instruction methods to keep you on the leading-edge of what is being taught in today's hitting community. As a Certified Epstein Hitting Instructor let me put these techniques to work to help your son or daughter improve.
It’s not a question of can you…It’s a question of will you?
Friday, October 7, 2022
Turf Field
Our hitting tunnels easily retract to create over 4,500 SF of open infield turf suitable for nearly every baseball/softball activity:
• Infield practice
• Speed & Agility Training
• Base running drills
• Catcher’s drills
And so much more.
Are you a manager/coach of a team? Please call us at (707) 564-5010 or email to info@vvbaseballbarn.com to discuss a custom team practice package that suits your needs.
It’s not a question of can you…It’s a question of will you?
Tuesday, October 4, 2022
Pitching and Throwing Without Pain - The Baseball Barn
Rich from The Baseball Barn talks about teaching proper pitching and throwing techniques to reduce pain and injury.
Saturday, October 1, 2022
Pitching Tunnel
Our full length Pitching Tunnel allows pitchers of all ages to get their bullpen work in. Adjustable from 35’ all the way to 60’6”, both baseball and softball pitchers are welcome. Our pitching tunnel features two mounds so two pitchers can work out side by side. No catcher? No problem we have strike zone targets to give you the ability to get your workout in, even if your regular catcher is unavailable.
Need help with your pitching? Just check out our online scheduling system and schedule a personal instruction session with one of our qualified pitching instructors.
It’s not a question of can you…It’s a question of will you?
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