Batting and Pitching Skills Classes

Begin Nov 16 — Five Locations

Classes open to Girls & Boys ages 7-13 —— Batting for Softball and Baseball —— Pitching trains the Baseball Delivery

Why These Programs Are Called ‘Classes’

Prior to each class session, participants receive info to preview the content that is taught. After each session, participants receive follow-up info detailing what was presented. Between classes the players do daily drills (2-3 minutes) of homework to develop Muscle Memory.

Follow-ups include:

Important Points
Concepts
Teaching Phrases
Pictures illustrating key points taught in the Pitching Delivery/Batting Swing
Video illustrating the actions taught
Drills for working on the skills at home between class sessions

At the conclusion of a program, participants receive an Instruction Guide that includes all that is taught in the class. Players have everything they need to continue their development leading up to the season, and to maintain and improve their skills through the season.

These classes benefit the elite level player and the beginner equally. We teach the fundamental actions of the delivery/swing that are used by all pitchers/batters. The bio-mechanics of the swing are the same for all human beings regardless of age, experience, or skill level.

Beginner and Novice players learn what they need to know, without the clutter of unnecessary information. Advanced players refine their swings and identify the flaw or two that is holding them back from maximizing their potential.

Players gain an understanding of how their body generates energy and accelerates that energy through the release of the pitch or through contact with the ball. They learn to do so in the most efficient manner. Drills are introduced that train the muscle actions of the skills. Players learn how to practice their skills properly, using a work progression that is easy to understand and simple to follow.

SCHEDULE & REGISTRATION

Batting: ages 7-13 | Pitching: ages 8-12

***If your player is older or younger, they are welcome to participate. Please contact me (marklinden20@gmail.com) to confirm the program would be a good fit.

Batting

The program is structured to have a parent or coach participate with the player. Much of the drill work involves hands-on help and/or oversight from an adult to keep the player on point. The class involves ‘homework’; a parent who understands the why and how of that work makes a significant, positive impact on the player’s level of learning.

Pitching

***Each player MUST bring an adult to catch their pitches ...all players pitch at the same time. The Catcher/Adult learns all the content from the sessions and benefits tremendously from their participation. (A mature teen may substitute as catcher.)

BELLEVUE @ Highland Community Center Gym - 14224 Bel-Red Rd, Bellevue, WA 98007

Nov 16, 23; Dec 7^, 14 (Saturdays) - $157

^Dec 7…class held at Crossroads Community Center Gym - 16000 NE 10th St, Bellevue, WA 98008

4:30pm - 5:30pm — Batting REGISTER

5:30pm - 6:30pm — Pitching REGISTER (Baseball Delivery)

QUEEN ANNE @ Queen Anne Community Center Gym - 1901 1st Ave W, Seattle, WA 98119

Nov 17, 24; Dec 8^, 15 (Sundays) - $157

^Dec 8…class held at Loyal Heights Community Center Gym - 2101 NW 77th St, Seattle, WA 98117

9:30am - 10:30am — Batting REGISTER 4 Spots Left

10:30am - 11:30am — Pitching REGISTER (Baseball Delivery)

NORTH SEATTLE @ Northgate Community Center Gym - 10510 5th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98125

Nov 24; Dec 1, 8, 15 (Sundays) - $157

12:30pm - 1:30pm — Batting REGISTER

1:30pm - 2:30pm — Pitching REGISTER (Baseball Delivery)

NE SEATTLE @ Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center - 6535 Ravenna Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115

Nov 17, 24; Dec 8, 15 (Sundays) - $157

4:00pm - 5:00pm — Batting REGISTER

5:00pm - 6:00pm — Pitching REGISTER (Baseball Delivery)

WEST SEATTLE @ Hope Church Gym - 4100 SW Genesee St. Seattle, WA 98116

Nov 18, 25; Dec 2, 9 (Mondays) - $157

6:45pm - 7:45pm — Batting REGISTER

7:45pm - 8:45pm — Pitching REGISTER (Baseball Delivery)

DESCRIPTIONS of CLASSES

Batting - The Swing

Teaches the entire Batting Swing, mindset, a purposeful, productive approach to practice, and utilizing the entire body to maximize power and bat speed for a consistent, accurate swing.

Program Notes are provided prior to, and following, each lesson: key points for mastery; pictures & video supporting all instruction.
Workout Plan for drill and swing work between lessons. The between-lesson aspect ensures maximum skill development during the program. Workouts are short in duration and designed to align with the mindset and perspective of a young player.
Instruction Guide - Provided to each participant, at the conclusion of the program, for continuing their development. Includes 12 Lessons.
Coach Development - 'How to Teach Batting to Kids’. The class demystifies the swing and simplifies coaching hitting. Learn a logical, building-block process of presenting information to kids, so they Get It! Easy for a player to digest, apply to their practice time, and translate their training to batting success on the field.

Coach & Parent Reviews - Batting

Thanks for being a great coach, Mark! I feel Evan has learned a lot from you, his swing has definitely improved and also his self confidence. Hope to see you around. Thanks - Fred, Dad

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

Pitching - The Delivery

Teaches all aspects of an efficient, powerful, and accurate delivery. How to utilize the entire body to maximize velocity and minimize chances for arm soreness or injury. Demystifies technique, which is quite elementary. Instruction is easy for players to grasp and follow. Includes all information kids need to pitch successfully at the youth level of play.

TEACHING APPROACH - step by step, building-block teaching approach specifically for kids

RELEASE POINT-The centerpiece for mastering the pitching delivery. Kids learn its importance, how to develop consistency in this aspect of the delivery. All instruction is attached to this piece, which simplifies learning.

GRIPS & PITCHES - 4-Seam Fastball | Change-up | 2-Seam Fastball

WORKOUT PLAN - Preview and follow-up info is provided for each lesson. Throwing workouts for between classes are provided in the follow-ups. These include a set of ‘No-ball’ drills, which train the actions of the entire delivery. Workouts are short in duration and designed to align with the mindset and perspective of a young player.

INSTRUCTION GUIDE - Provided to each participant, at the conclusion of the program, for continuing their development. Includes 8 Lessons.

Note: Each player MUST bring an adult to catch their pitches

...all players pitch at the same time. The Catcher/Adult learns all the content from the sessions and benefits tremendously from their participation. They learn ‘How to Teach Pitching to Kids’. (A mature teen may substitute as catcher.)

Kids are urged to play catch 4-5+ times prior to the class in order to get their arms in shape. Begin with 50 throws, build up to 80.

Coach & Parent Reviews - Pitching

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

Group Instruction vs. Private Lessons

There are fundamental aspects of the swing/delivery that are the same for every player (human body) from Tee-Ball to the Pros/Olympic Level.

These classes teach and solidify these fundamentals; a player needs these in place before there is value in private lessons.

I gave private lessons for over a decade, while coaching at the college level and when I first started Baseball Positive 15 years ago. In almost every case, the first lessons were spent getting the players’ basic fundamentals in order. Very expensive for parents. The private lesson investment ($100/hr is not uncommon) is to help smooth out the final pieces specific to the individual’s needs.

The group lesson establishes the foundation of the fundamentals of the swing/delivery before moving on to a private instructor.

This program trains the foundational, fundamental aspects. The Instruction Guide (provided at the conclusion of the program) contains lessons to do at home (Batting: 12 lessons; Pitching 8 lessons) to solidify good fundamental habits. Completing the program and doing the at-home lessons is what a player needs before investing in a private instructor.

When it comes to the 12u Player, the pitching skills taught, and the swing skills and live batting instruction, provide a player with everything they need to succeed. Plus, the classes format teaches a player how to train and improve their skills on their own.

Contact me (marklinden20@gmail.com) if you are interested in a more in-depth explanation

Refund Policy:

Cancellations made two weeks prior to the start of classes are refunded in full, less $25 admin fee.
Cancellations made less than two weeks prior to the start of classes - participant receives a credit towards a future camp or BP instruction program.
First Day of class and beyond; no refunds.

Fall Classes