Website Manager

Batting and Pitching Skills Classes with Baseball Positive

Wallingford Boys & Girls Club (North Seattle) Pre-Season Baseball Classes (Batting & Pitching) with Baseball Positive(Ages 8-12) Begins Feb 9

 Questions, or for more information on how the classes are structured and run …contact Mark Linden:  [email protected]   |   206 714 5276

SCHEDULE

Open to Boys & Girls, ages 8-12. Limited to 12 participants per class. $147 each.

N. Seattle - Pitching, Part 2: Feb 9, 16, 23, Mar 1 (Sun) 12:30pm - 1:30pm REGISTER

N. Seattle - Batting, Part 2: Feb 9, 16, 23, Mar 1 (Sun) 1:30pm - 2:30pm REGISTER

* Class Descriptions below:


CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

BATTING, PART 1

THE SWING

Teaches the entire batting swing. Also, mental approach, how to practice with a purpose and to utilize the entire body to maximize power, bat speed and to produce a consistent and accurate swing.

This is an Adult-Child program. Coach/Parent learns 'How to Teach Batting’ using an approach that is simple for the adult to guide the learning process. Teaching is easy for the player to digest and translate to success on the field.

Program notes are provided prior to and following each workout. Players receive a drill plan for working out at home between each session. This additional aspect of the program ensures the kids maximize their learning. The home workouts are short in duration and designed with the attention span of a kid in mind. ...no equipment is needed to practice at home.

At the end of the program each participant receives a comprehensive Instruction Guide for continuing their development after completing the class. The guide includes all content taught in the class; includes video and pictures to support all instruction. 

 $147   REGISTER

 

TESTIMONIALS

What a great resource. Excellent help - particularly for guys that have been coaching for a while to learn the right way! - Todd, Coach

I definitely learned some helpful ways to talk to the kids about hitting that should keep it simple. - Paul, Coach

 I heard multiple kids give raving reviews! …one of the kids parents later said quote, ‘your bat speed has improved by 20 percent’ …the Dad said it was clearly noticeable! - Quinn, Coach


BATTING, PART 2

HITTING TO ALL FIELDS

The batter learns to translate the skills and concepts of the swing, learned in Batting Part 1, to hitting pitches in different locations equally well.

Strike zone awareness and recognition of pitch location: inside, middle, outside, is introduced.   The technique for driving the ball to all fields is taught and trained in depth.

Developing a sound hand path in the swing, and maximizing extension through contact, are a major focus.  Advanced drills are added to the foundational drills learned in Phase 1, to train these skills.

The ‘approach’ to live batting is introduced.   Fear of the ball is addressed, and 'how to get hit' by a pitch safely is taught.

Same benefits as Batting, Part 1:

  • Home workout program

  • Instructional Guide for all participants

$147   REGISTER

PITCHING, PART 1

THE DELIVERY

PLAYERS MUST BRING AN ADULT TO CATCH THEIR PITCHES ...all players pitch at the same time

Teaches the entire pitching motion. How to utilize the whole body to maximize velocity and consistently accurate pitches. Drills for developing a sound and safe delivery that minimizes the chances for arm soreness and injury.

This is an Adult-Child program. Coach/Parent learns 'How to Teach Pitching'. The approach makes it simple for the adult to guide the learning process. Teaching is easy for the player to digest and translate to success on the field.

Program notes are provided prior to and following each workout. Players receive a drill plan for working out at home between each session. This additional aspect of the program ensures the kids maximize their learning. The home workouts are short in duration and designed with the attention span of a kid in mind. ...no equipment is needed to practice at home.

At the end of the program each participant receives a comprehensive Instruction Guide for continuing their development after completing the class. The guide includes all content taught in the class; includes video and pictures to support all instruction. 

PARTICIPANTS ARE STRONGLY URGED TO PLAY CATCH DAILY (40 throws) for 5-10 days leading up to the start of the class so their arms are in shape.

$147   REGISTER

 

TESTIMONIALS

Hour for hour that was easily the most instructive time my son has had in his baseball life. You made pitching so simple, but it was all there. – Harlan, Coach and former Little League President

Mark has been able to relate the mechanics of pitching in a way that my son could understand. - David B, Dad

The players learned simple fundamentals that really improved their pitching skills …Later, I saw dads showing others what they had learned. - Keith, Coach and former Little League President


PITCHING, PART 2

OFF SPEED and BREAKING PITCHES

Prerequisite: Pitching, Part 1 PLAYERS MUST BRING AN ADULT TO CATCH THEIR PITCHES ...all players pitch at the same time

Additional drills are introduced to fine-tune the actions of the delivery learned in Part 1.  A major emphasis of Part 2 is establishing a proper and consistent release point, which is a critical factor in safely and successfully throwing off-speed and breaking pitches.

Pitches Taught

  • Change-up: grip variations; mastery of the pitch

  • 2-Seam Fastball

  • Cutter (safer version of a breaking ball)

  • Curve Ball^ (introduced): Proper grip and release are taught. A plan for continued development of the pitch, following the conclusion of the class, is provided.

The class is recommended for 10-12 year-olds who have taken Pitching, Part 1.  Younger players will be considered for participation.  Call me to talk, and we’ll determine if the class is a good fit for your young pitcher. – Mark 206 714 5276

Pre-game warm-up routine is also taught. The concepts presented in Pitching, Part 1 are developed further.  Mental approach is addressed in more detail (routine, presence, awareness of pitch counts and the concept of ‘9 v1’).

Prior to each workout, and between workouts, players are emailed information supporting the class content (written info, pictures, videos).  Drill work is assigned for work at home between classes. Players are developing their skills each day throughout the program.  At the conclusion of the class, the kids and their participating parent/coach, receive a detailed Instruction Guide to use as a reference throughout the season.

Players who want further instruction, but are not ready for, or in need of, the content in Pitching, Part 2, would benefit from repeating Pitching, Part 1.  Any young pitcher will make significant strides in their development by additional exposure to the instruction and, just as important, the additional repetitions within the structure of the class

$147   REGISTER

 

CURVE BALL - info for parents of kids considering, or enrolling in, Pitching Part 2 in Feb 2020

A curve ball can be thrown safely by a youth pitcher.  Arm soreness and injury occur when the pitch is thrown incorrectly (which can easily happen, even in a pitcher who has had proper training).

A minimum level of overall body strength is required to get a pitcher consistently in a position to safely release, and deliver, a curve ball.  The smaller hand size of most youth baseball players is another factor restricting their ability to throw the pitch safely.  It is difficult for small hands to properly grip and release this pitch.

The value of, and need for, using a curve ball is addressed during the class.  It is not a pitch that a youth pitcher requires in order to be successful during the regular spring season.  The need for a curve comes in All-Stars and summer tournament play.  A pitcher with a good change-up, and a cutter or 2-seam fastball, has all they need to be effective in the spring. 

The curve ball is introduced in Pitching, Part 2, so older and more experienced players who will be facing stiffer competition, in June and July, can learn to grip and throw this pitch properly, safely and effectively.

It is likely that some kids signed up for Pitching, Part 2 will not be physically ready to work on throwing a curve ball.   This will be determined through discussion with the kids and participating parents.  These kids, rather than working on the curve ball, will put more time into developing the other pitches taught in the class.


GENERAL INFO

These are  Adult-Child programs. Coach Mark (former player in the Cubs organization; former NCAA Div-I Head Coach) demystifies these skills for players and adults/coaches. These skills are, in fact, quite elementary.  The instruction is easy for players to grasp and follow. They get all the information they need to succeed at the youth level of play, while overly detailed information is weeded out.

Coach/Parent learns 'How to Teach' pitching/batting to kids using simple and clear instruction making it and easy for the players to digest and translate to their play.  These are very active programs; players get a massive number of repetitions, the most important aspect of skill development.

Program notes are provided prior to and following each workout. Players are  given direction for working out at home between each session to maximize their learning. The home workouts are short in duration and designed with the attention span of a kid in mind. …no equipment is needed.

At the end of the program each participant receives a comprehensive Instruction Guide for continuing their development after completing the class. The guide includes all content taught in the class; includes video and pictures to support all instruction.  Adults/Coaches gain knowledge and hands on experience to take the teaching to their teams and other kids in their league come spring time.

Cancellation Policy:

  1. Cancellations made two weeks prior to the start of a class (Sat Nov 2, 11:59pm for Nov-Dec classes; Sat Jan 26, 11:59pm for Feb classes), refunded in full, less $25 processing fee.

  2. Cancellations made less than two weeks prior to the start of class - participant receives a credit towards a future BP Class of Summer Camp (excluding classes where registration is run through your league). If a participant’s spot can be filled by another player on our Waiting List, the option of receiving a full refund, less $25 processing fee, is available

  3. No Refunds after the start of the first class.

Local Sponsors

Copyright © 2024 Ballard Little League (WA)  |  Privacy Statement |  Terms Of Use |  License Agreement |  Children's Privacy Policy  Login