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stanlewis
545 Posts |
 Posted - 06/16/2009 : 09:10:29
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There have been some posts requesting recommendations for pitching and hitting instructors. I stopped posting these because they turned into a battle of commercials between different facilities and responses ripping some of the instructors being recommended.
We will try once again. Please just post your recommendation of a specific instructor and the geographical area where the instructor works. Those looking for instructors, remember these are recommendations and no matter who is being recommended there will be opposite opinions and you must research the individual and make your own decision. |
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GABaseBallDad
42 Posts |
Posted - 06/16/2009 : 13:12:27
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HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Brandon Smith - Great with the kids, puts the subject matter into a language that they can understand. He helps my son with both hitting and pitching. Located in the Marietta/Kennesaw area near 75 and Barrett
bdsmith5@gmail.com
404.543.6743 |
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Critical Mass
277 Posts |
Posted - 06/16/2009 : 17:16:22
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| Ditto GABaseBallDad...my son sees Brandon...well said. |
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highcheese
71 Posts |
Posted - 06/16/2009 : 22:00:19
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I will second the motion for Brandon Smith. Great communicator and really knows how to bring out the best in the student. Very approachable on the parent side and will take the time to make sure you understand too. ClubhouseGas has had a few interviews with him. His website for intructional videos is www.ebaseballtips.com . Brandon has the ability to teach the whole game from pitching, catching, hitting, etc..
To Stan's point, every instructor is different. You should take the time to interview these guys before you take the huge leap of faith. The instructors worth their salt will take the time to talk to you about approaches and philosophy. Humans learn in three ways, audio, visual, and physically doing. There are different rates of retention for each person with each way to learn. My son is tremendous visual learner, with his mind of mush he can see something and then replicate it. Try talking to him about something and it goes in one ear and out the other, no retention. "Just show me and i will do it" is the most common phrase. The one thing about a good instructor is the ability to adapt the approaches to the students needs. You may also see when choosing and instructor if they will let you watch a student session and get a feel. Some may some may not, it may depend on the student at the time.
This forum talks alot about finding good coaches and teams that are right for your child. Same thing applies to lessons. Find a person that can be a part of our childs "team". Have a blast this week and take a kid to the ball park. |
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3sondad
220 Posts |
Posted - 06/17/2009 : 10:58:11
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If the instructor or coach is "coaching" on each pitch ... as Monty Python says, "run away, run away!!!" He is not working with the kid and I promise the kid will forget 90% of it by the next day.
IMHO the hitting instructor that the kids will get the most lasting benefit from will be one that follows the following recipe. He does not coach until he sees the kid start repeating the same swing. (3-5 swings, maybe more if the kid is not consistent or it is a new student.) The instructor gives instruction and then gives the kid a chance to make adjustments. The instructor should not make adjustments until 3-5 swings and then the instructions will turn into more of a question. When a kid can explain it back to you ... that kid will not forget it and should be able to make his own adjustments from at bat to at bat for years to come. I know a couple of instructors that request that the parent who works with their son be near the cage so they can catch on to what the instructor is trying to accomplish and continue the work between lessons.
Working with a kid this way I think also puts mom/dad in a better position of asking "what did you feel your hands/hip/front knee/head at the at bat?", instead of telling the kid what they did wrong. The kid most likely realizes what he did and does not need to have coach and parents "telling" him. If you ask and he tells you what you saw, that is enough... I have a rule I try to follow that the batter box is the kids place "no-parents" allowed. Rarely, they might look over after a bad swing and I will node and if they node back I say nothing, if they don't node, I will give a pointer i.e., Hands, Hip, front leg, or choke up an inch and be aggressive...
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diamondstarz
105 Posts |
Posted - 06/17/2009 : 14:03:41
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Lincoln Martin or Chad Sosebee at Diamond Starz Academy in Douglasville. If you are looking for someone on the west side these are two of the best instructors around. We can provide several testimonials and references. Both are difficult to get space with but worth it.
Lincoln is also a scout for the Houston Astros. He definitely helped my son get into a Div 1 college.
678-715-1472
Diamond Starz Academy
www.diamondstarz.com
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fourseam
162 Posts |
Posted - 06/17/2009 : 15:34:06
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| What about North Georgia, say Dalton or even Chattanooga? |
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baseballpapa
1520 Posts |
Posted - 06/20/2009 : 22:58:49
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Both of Baseball Papa's grandsons take lessons from Charlie Culberson out of Rome, Georgia and I understand that he takes one day out of the week to go to Cedartown, Georgia and that he might add another day in Calhoun, Georgia if he can locate a facility to teach out of.
Proof is in the pudding and I am more than satisifed with the fundamentals and mechanics Charlie teaches.
I would recommend him to anyone in his area and think that you would be as pleased with the results as I know I have. |
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stallion
28 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2009 : 20:07:11
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| I would suggest Dwight Smith(world series w/braves). He teaches a very sophisticated system but if your kid is a player,u will see results. His son is on the 16 old astros. Considered one of the best pure hitters around. my son has been with him for a year and a half. 10u, hitting over.500 - 4 home runs -3 strike outs with around a 100 at bats. slugging percentage over .800. I think i am getting a return on my investment. By the way one of those home runs was at east cobb, which is 229 feet. down the lines. big time poke for a 10 year old.. I have noticed that kids really develop power with his system. He is at sportsarama/top dog. |
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Hitting - Pitching Instruction Recommendations
