Customer Reviews

Hit Your Potential

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Steve Ferroli has been personally selected by Ted Williams as his "technical successor" - Steve is a really first-class dedicated hitting instructor. Steve is the head of the newly formed Ted Williams League for youth baseball, and this book is his presentation of the Ted Williams approach to hitting. The book is well done, with tons of photographs and diagrams - and a Foreword by Ted Williams himself.

Anyone wanting to learn better hitting should definitely pick up this book. It also presents some of the latest theories of the Ted Williams League, such as the 14-inch plate for youth baseball. Even if you're just a fan and not actively trying to learn better hitting, this is quite an interesting book with many insights into baseball, and hitting in particular. Highly recommended.

--Bill Nowlin, co-author (with Jim Prime) of TED WILLIAMS: A TRIBUTE

This is truly a wonderful book covering the technical aspects of rotational hitting. Ferroli discusses in minute details nearly every aspect of rotational hitting such as stance, stride (length, direction, timing, foot position), proper arm use, grip, strike zone(s) (yes, plural...zones), drills, etc. Many of his recommendations can also be found in Mike Epstein's instructional items. (I highly recommend Epstein's items...books, DVDs, etc. as well. These are available at Mikeepsteinhitting.com.) This book is THE manual for rotational hitting. Not only does Ferroli make mechanical suggestions, he provides rationale for these recommendations.

In terms of "bizzare" recommendations, Mr. Ferroli does make a few seemingly unconventional suggestions. One is rotating the hitters head during contact to facilitate proper hip rotation. This amounts to "taking your eyes off the the ball." Yet scientific data prove that it is impossible to visualize the ball hitting the bat with a typical 80-90mph fastball. In fact, if you look at a few still photos of MLB hitters at the time of contact, you'll often see their eyes are focused 10-15' in front of the plate. Moreover, I've seen still photos of Mickey Mantle & Ted Williams with their eyes CLOSED at contact! Epstein, like Ferroli, emphasizes a "chin up" approach with avoidance of a head down position at contact. In regards to a parallel bat setup prior to the swing, I would only recommend that you look at a few old clips of Rod Carew. Msgr Carew nearly held his bat parallel in setup and ended up being a "pretty good" hitter. Yes, it looks a bit peculiar, but Ferroli doesn't strongly recommend it...he only suggests the various options.

One item that I found in this book that I've never read in any other book is in regards to Ferroli's theory on the "shadow" effect of the pitched ball. In short, the author feels that there is a shadow effect on the lower half of the ball that makes the upper half look "brighter." As a result, hitters tend to hit on the the top half of the ball. If one CLOSELY looks at a pitched ball (softball or baseball...you can try this at the local batting cage), I think that you'll see a subtle "shading" of the lower half of the ball. This is really an astute observation on Ferroli's part and speaks volumes about his thoughtful approach to the difficult science/art of hitting. Get the book, it's worth the investment.

I am a former four-year college baseball player and adult student of Ferroli. I used to hit like Lau taught, as did many major leaguers during that fad of the 1980s. But Lau and Hriniak's helicopter swing off the front foot went the way of the Soviet Union, as it should have. Ferroli extends Ted Williams' theories using physics and common sense - notions that stand the test of time. If you wish to learn to hit a baseball more consistently using the irrefutable laws of physics, common sense, and discipline, read this book. If you're into idol worshipping and fads, read the books the previous reviewer mentioned.......Adam Frattasio, author, "Goon: The True Story of an Unlikely Journey into Minor League Hockey"

it is a good book. It tells the fundamentals and good ways of hitting the ball. And being a playerthat used to not hit too well, I am saying this is the book to get if you are looking to hit better.

Many people, like the last guy, end up getting upset with the subject of hitting a baseball. It would be better to read with an open mind and learn. I wondered about setting up with a parallel bat, too, but after thinking about it, concluded that it would get my bat through the hitting zone quicker. I also researched and found that the human eye loses focus/sight of a pitched baseball from about 10 feet away, give or take, depending on the ball's speed. The body/nervous system decides where to swing before then, so moving the head, which the body must do for appropriate hip rotation, during the actual swing is a mute point as no human can actually watch a ball hit their bat. So don't be upset, don't get mad, read and try to learn something.

Major leaguers, and even Ted Williams, do not and did not bat like Steve Ferroli recommends. This instuctor has the batter turning his head and not watching the baseball in order to facilitate better hip movement. Do you believe that? You actually turn your head and lose sight of the baseball before it strikes the bat, on purpose. According to Steve, bats shouldn't be angled skyward but pointed straight back, parallel to the ground. There are too many techniques and tips in this book that can only be described as bizarre. Major Leaguers, the best batters in the world, do not use the Steve Ferroli method.

Ted Williams book, the science of hitting, is a good book. This one is not. Mr. Ferroli has a rigid view of what a good swing should be. There isn't just "one" right swing and a good swing is only one important facet of being a successful hitter. I have boys who play in little league, high school, and D1 college. The ideas in this book are so off-the-mark that I literally threw the book away so my boys wouldn't read any of it. It is that bad. Just my opinion, but if your looking for good books on the swing: stick with Williams book, books by Dusty Baker (for the beginner), or Charley Lau Sr. book. Those are some of the best.