BOOK INFORMATION

Size 5.5x8; Pages 72; Price $10.00 ($4 off list price);
ISBN# 0-9703780-0-9; LC Control# 00-091935

In order to maximize baseball hitting potential, proper hitting mechanics need to become second nature. This is hard to achieve once bad habits are formed, so it is best if proper hitting mechanics are learned at a young age (or as soon as possible). Hitting Made Easy makes mastering the fundamentals of hitting the baseball easy. This book is a MUST for every coach, player or parent that is serious about baseball.

Book Features:

• Clear Concise Explanations
• An Easy-To-Read Format
• A SIMPLE, Fast, yet Effective Method for Learning or Teaching Hitting
• Thorough Coverage of Baseball Hitting Fundamentals
• Photographs of Proper Batting Technique
• Common Flaws and Solutions
• Can Easily be Read in ONE day and Tried the Next!

Also Includes:

• Where To Hit the Pitches
• Bunting
• Drills for Use in Practice
• Tips on Mental Preparation
• Strength and Conditioning Suggestions

Foreward

Preface

It's natural to feel a little apprehensive when at bat, but if you lack knowlege about the fundamentals of hitting, you can feel downright unprepared.

I distinctly remember my first youth baseball league tryout. I felt very unprepared as I stood in line with two of my brothers on a cold spring day, waiting to face this hunk of metal called a pitching machine. When my turn came, I couldn't hit the ball. I reflect upon this experience every time I hear someone say that they don't like baseball or that baseball isn't fun.

The game of baseball isn't any fun if you can't hit the ball and have no idea how to go about trying to improve your hitting. Knowlege of hitting fundamentals, however, can make all the difference for these players. Over the years I've met many coaches, players, and parents that were seeking a simple, yet effective approach to learning or teaching hitting. This book was written with these people in mind.

About The Author

Shawn May is a former professional baseball player for the San Francisco Giant Organization who, over the past 15 years, has instructed thousands of young baseball players through his coaching endeavors and summer baseball camps. In adddition, he routinely serves as a guest instructor at numerous college baseball camps and clinics in the Northeast.

Shawn is a physical education teacher at Fabius Pompey High School, in Fabius New York. As the varsity baseball coach, Shawn has twice been named the New York State Coach of the Year and has led his team to two State Championships. Over the span of two seasons, his team had a 43 game winning streak, in which the team had an overall batting average of .427. Shawn has a masters degree in Physical Education and has been certified as a personal trainer. In writing this guide, Shawn not only draws upon his extensive teaching and coaching experience, but upon over 20 years of award winning baseball playing experience.

Table Of Contents

Unit I: Batting Stance

• Positioning the Feet
• Positioning the Body
• Positioning the Bat
• Gripping the Bat

Unit II: Loading Phase

• Striding
• Positioning the Bat

Unit III: Fire and Follow Through

• Getting the Barrel to the Ball
• Turning the Hips
• Keeping the Eyes on the Ball
• Following Through

Unit IV: Where to Hit the Pitches

• Hitting the Inside Pitch
• Hitting the Outside Pitch
• Hitting the Middle Plate Pitch

Unit V: Bunting

• Bunting for a Hit
• Sacrifice Bunting

Unit VI: Drills for Use in Practice

• Batting Tee
• Dry Swings
• Hitting a Tire
• Soft-Toss
• Batting Practice

Unit VII: Mental Preparation

• Coach and Player Attitude
• The Imaginary Hitting Zone
• The Right Frame of Mind
• Overcoming the Fear of Being Hit

Unit VIII: Strength and Conditioning

• Swinging a Heavy Bat
• Sprinting
• Wrist-Rolls
• Pull-ups and Chin-ups
• Push-ups
• Crunches