Batting and Pitching Skills Classes

begin November 15 & 16

BelleVue Classes Start Nov 22

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

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.

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

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’ can be more encouraging when reminding their player to do their daily work at home.

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.)

The State of Washington now requires businesses that provide ‘Live Presentations’ to collect State Sales Tax (6.5%). This is added to the cost of classes at checkout:

SATURDAYS

WALLINGFORD @ Wallingford Boys & Girls Club Gym - 1311 N 46th St, Seattle, WA 98103

Nov 15, 22; Dec 6, 13 - $187

12:00pm - 1:00pm — Batting REGISTER …FULL

1:00pm - 2:00pm — Pitching (Baseball Delivery) REGISTER …FULL

2:00pm - 3:00pm — Batting REGISTER …2 Spots Left

BELLEVUE @ Downtown Boys & Girls Club Gym - 209 100th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004

Nov 22; Dec 6, 13 - $147 (3-Session Classes)

4:00pm - 5:00pm — Batting REGISTER …5 Spots Left

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

SUNDAYS

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

Nov 16, 23; Dec 7, 14 - $187

10:00am - 11:00am — Batting REGISTER …FULL

11:00am - 12:00pm — Pitching (Baseball Delivery) REGISTER …FULL

GREENLAKE @ Greenlake Community Center Gym - 7201 E Green Lake Dr N, Seattle, WA 98115

Nov 16, 23; Dec 7, 14^ - $187

1:00pm - 2:00pm — Batting REGISTER …FULL

2:00pm - 3:00pm — Pitching (Baseball Delivery) REGISTER …1 Spot Left

^ Final session (Dec 14) will be held at the Montlake Community Center Gym

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

Nov 16, 23; Dec 7, 14 - $187

4:00pm - 5:00pm — Batting REGISTER …FULL

5:00pm - 6:00pm — Batting REGISTER …FULL

6:00pm - 7:00pm — Pitching (Baseball Delivery) REGISTER …FULL

DESCRIPTIONS of CLASSES

Batting - The Swing

Teaches the entire batting swing using a step-by-step, building block approach. Review and repetition are core components. We are training muscle memory, which is learned by Doing. Consuming information, cognitively, is not how physical skills are acquired.

Players learn body control and how to fully utilize the body, in proper sequence, to maximize power, bat speed and produce a consistently accurate swing.

This is an Adult-Child program. Kids are more focused and behaved in this environment. They learn quicker and better establish the habits needed for continued development over the long-term. A critical aspect of the learning process is daily 'Homework' between class sessions (2-3 minutes per day). Parent involvement ensures that the child follows the all-important process of daily repetition of the swing actions.

Teaching is presented at a 'kid level'; 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.

At the end of the program each participant receives a comprehensive guide for continuing their development. The guide includes all content taught in the class. Video, pictures, and key focus points are included to support training activities.

Coach & Parent Reviews - Batting

Mark, My boys (9 & 11 yrs) look forward to each hitting class. You have a great sense and awareness for each players’ ability and in helping them understand what is being taught…Both boys have advanced greatly while working with you. They hit with so much more confidence. -Coach Mark O., West Seattle

Mark worked with our 12 year-old All-Stars…a simple approach to all aspects of the game… The kids were applying what was being shown right away and their hitting improved from day one. – Mark M., Past Pres. North Seattle Baseball

Coach Mark, I grew up playing different sports and my kids are now involved with many sports …never have I experienced something so technical explained and broken down so clearly like this. Thank you for the follow up info…this is very helpful for us. Gio and I are looking fwd to the next hitting classes.

-Jerry (Gio's father)

Pitching - The Delivery

Teaches the delivery using a step-by-step, building block approach. Review and repetition are core components of the program. We are training muscle memory, which is learned by Doing. Players develop body control and learn how to fully utilize the body, in proper sequence, to maximize velocity and accuracy. Drills develop solid and consistent pitching mechanics, minimizing the chances of arm stress, soreness, or injury.

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

Instruction 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 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.

Participants learn the 4-Seam Fastball, Change-up, and 2-Seam Fastball, including grip variations for each.

*** Kids are urged to play catch 4-5+ times prior to the class 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 much 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. Often the early sessions in Private Instruction is establishing the foundational pieces. This can lead to a large financial investment before the instruction gets to the ‘personal’ aspect.

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, provides establishes a solid foundation of the fundamentals. With this foundation in place, a player can benefit much more in a private instruction environment..

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 discussing this topic more in-depth.

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/camp and beyond; no refunds.