Originally Posted by Darrick Brown

Mark H,

My term of direct hand path means that we are getting the hands to contact without a hitch. Ex. Girls who drop hands have poor hand path which makes it difficult to get the hands through a pitch up in the zone. I use a very cheap tool to prove hand path issues. The Derek Jeter (from Kalamazoo like me by the way) endorsed zip line. Several of my clients have fixed hand path issues with this tool that is about $30 bucks. You can raise it up and down but I like it higher. I also like the line to teach my students to keep the barrell through the path of the ball as long as possible. I also use high tee drills.

Originally Posted by TryIN2GetItRight

Mark - Because you are so often the true voice of reason for us "non-experts" that are parents just trying to help our kids, (I am sure this will get a long post from others with links and video proving you are not) and were smart enough (for the most part) to stay out of this crazy discussion, I wanted your opinion. You have mentioned many times that Epstein hitters find a ceiling. I do not doubt this but in your opinion where is that ceiling, in youth ball - HS - Div III college etc...?

And as an example I watched video of Ortiz (Very big, strong and quick man)and he seems to exhibit pelvic tilt and rotation with the box formation Englishbey teaches, But then Pedroia (a much smaller guy) took one "yaaad" the other night with a very Epstein like swing.

One other quick question. I do love Englishbey's teachings about pelvic tilt and connection. Is there anyone else that teaches the hip action (swivel) better or different. This part of his teachings is like watching a foreign film without subtitles and based on your recommendations of comparing it to slow motion VDO I am not sold the swivel (hip action) is correct. More correct than others but not correct.

Thanks I appreciate your opinion.

Originally Posted by Darrick Brown

Mark H,

My term of direct hand path means that we are getting the hands to contact without a hitch. Ex. Girls who drop hands have poor hand path which makes it difficult to get the hands through a pitch up in the zone. I use a very cheap tool to prove hand path issues. The Derek Jeter (from Kalamazoo like me by the way) endorsed zip line. Several of my clients have fixed hand path issues with this tool that is about $30 bucks. You can raise it up and down but I like it higher. I also like the line to teach my students to keep the barrell through the path of the ball as long as possible. I also use high tee drills.

Originally Posted by MTS

I agree that this is usually a major issue with younger fastpitch hitters. And hands dropping coincides with the back elbow getting ahead and barrel getting too flat and this leads to front arm barring and coming around the ball. I would also say that this pattern is usually associated with poor hitting posture and usually no pelvic involvement in the swing. Good stuff...

Originally Posted by Darrick Brown

Amen brother, I hear ya with the elbow and arm barring. Believe it or not I have a kid who just signed to play D1 ball and this is a big issue she has. Can yank the ball out of the park with anybody in our area. We are still working on this issue but when she gets it right she hits to all parts of the park with power.