The Art of Hitting

People who play and coach baseball might be interested in a book and three-part video series by Dusty Baker, Manager of the San Francisco, co-authored by Marv Bittinger and Jeff Mercer.

"I highly recommend this series as a teaching aid for players of all ages." .... Hank Aaron

Book: "You Can Teach Hitting," Dusty Baker, Jeff Mercer, Marv Bittinger. (Full Color Book - 234 ppages) BSB - 001 $24.95

This book is written for baseball players and teachers - coaches, parents, and even peers - who want to teach better hitting. For hitters, youngsters to professionals, who want to learn to hit better, You Can Teach Hitting, takes you from selecting a bat to selecting a pitch; and from the science of the swing to the ability to do situational hitting. It shows in a systematic, step-by-step manner, how you can teach or achieve the "Three C's of Hitting" - confidence, concentration, and consistency. Also considered are ten common hitting mistakes and twenty hitting drills which can be used to correct them; specific approaches to hitter development by age, and tips on organizing more effective team practices. From beginning coaches to veterans and teeballers to advanced hitters this book provides you with hundreds of insights, tips, and drills you can't miss. This book is "bound" to make hitting more fun and successful for you and more challenging for pitchers.

Video, Vol 1, "A Systematic Approach to Hitting." (Video - 75 minutes) BSV - 001 $29.95 Covering Chapter 2 of the book, this video instructs players of all ages and skill levels to hit better in 20 minutes of effort with this simple, systematic approach to batting. Through clear, well-paced instruction, learn how to use and teach eight steps for improved hitting: (1) Bat selection, (2) Depth & distance at the plate, (3) Stance & balance, (4) Grip, (5) Box & bat angle, (6) Inward Turn, (7) Stride & swing, (8) Swing. It's all here!

Video, Vol 2, "Ten Common Hitting Mistakes & How to Correct Them." (Video - 60 minutes) BSV - 002 $29.95 Covering Chapter 3 of the book, this video attempts to correct bad tendencies before they become bad habits. Many people have a hard time identifying the following fundamental mistakes: (1) Stance/stride, (2) Grip, (3) Proper box, (4) Dead stop hitter, (5) Back foot lockout, (6) Bat angle, (7) Front shoulder early release/quick hip, (8) Follow-through, (9) Tracking and head position, (10) Fear of the ball. Learn the mechanics of these common mistakes, and how you can help a struggling hitter, advanced or novice, correct them. BONUS: Tips on hitting special pitches, settng up the pitcher, adjusting to umpires, and hitting with two strikes, as well as a discussion of hitting out of slumps, the mental game, making adjustments, thinking with the pitcher and more.

Video, Vol 3, "Twenty Hitting Drills." (Video - 60 minutes) BSV - 003 $29.95 Covering Chapter 4 of the book, this video covers a series of twenty remarkable and workable team and individual drills you can customize for your own hitting or an entire team. Included are fundamental drills such as the Fence, Spin hit, and NOW, as well as specialty drills such as Game time, Soft toss breaker, and Counts and Situations. These drills focus the hitter on specific aspects of hitting and game situations. Many drills can be practiced alone and need very little space. And, like the other elements of this total and systematic approach to hitting, they work! BONUS: Learn interesting facts and information about the physics of baseball bats and balls.