What is Epstein Hitting?

THE FOUNDATION OF EPSTEIN HITTING

The Epstein Teaching System was first created by Mike Epstein who was a 10-year Major League player and 1972 World Series champion (led the A’s that year in HRs). Mike, having played for arguably the greatest hitter of all-time, Ted Williams (1969 Washington Senators), re-kindled his relationship back in the 1980’s. Mike would spend weeks at a time saying he was going to see “Ted.” Every year for the next 10, Mike would go to Florida and talk hitting with the best mind in the game. When Mike finally put all those notes into a legible and learned form, Ted Williams handed him a Letter of Recommendation for hitting instruction…a great feat indeed!

“Mike Epstein played for me for three years when I managed the Washington Senators. He was always a keen student of hitting. I see Mike frequently and have parried batting technique and theory with him – both the physical and mental sides – on many of those occasions. I’m a tough guy to please and impress, but I believe Mike comprehends and teaches the science of proper hitting as skillfully as anyone I have run across in all my years in baseball.” – Ted Williams (1993 Letter of Certification). Mike Epstein is credited with creating the term Rotational Hitting.

THE EPSTEIN TEACHING SYSTEM

From Shoeless Joe Jackson to Babe Ruth to Miguel Cabrera, baseball’s greatest hitters have all shared the same core mechanics. These mechanics were learned through emulation. Ted Williams once told Mike back in 1969, “Watch the great hitters Mike. They will tell you everything you need to know.” Now, with the use of slow-motion video technology (and the Epstein Teaching System) the learning process through emulation can be made much easier.

So, what makes Epstein Hitting so successful? The answer is simple; it is the process of identifying the swing faults and having a program designed to fix them. With the use of slow-motion video, anyone can compare players side-by-side to see the differences. However, a Certified Epstein Instructor has the tools, training and access to the Epstein Teaching System’s time-tested drills to create a plan focused on the player’s needs. Today Epstein Hitting is run by Mike's son Jake Epstein. Jake has been teaching both amateur and professional baseball and softball players since 2003. Currently Jake is a hitting consultant for Milwaukee Brewers, played professional baseball for the ‘then’ Anaheim Angels, and collegiate baseball at Cal State Fullerton and the University of Missouri.

EPSTEIN HITTING CERTIFICATION

Epstein Hitting Certification is an intensive training program for both baseball and softball. It covers everything from technique to the mental side. It includes a review of how to set up and complete correctly all the Epstein hitting drills. The program details the use of motion analysis applications to identify mechanical problems and solutions. It also explains which drills are best for correcting different types of mechanical flaws and issues. The certified instructor, therefore, is armed with countless drills that can be used to create a personalized action plan based on the analysis of the player’s video. Every player is different and has to be treated as such.

The Certification Training covers every aspect of what makes Epstein Hitting so successful around the world. Information is great, but information without implementation means nothing. What sets Epstein certified instructors apart is the ability to teach and change players in a positive structured way. Anyone with an internet connection can see how the swing is supposed to look; but what makes Epstein training so special is the ability to teach the proper swing using a systematic approach. The Epstein training system can be used to teach all hitters, whether they are 5 years-old or 25 years-old.

My journey as a hitting coach started when I wanted to learn how to use my lower body more efficiently with my own swing while playing Softball. After searching for knowledge I found Epstein Hitting on YouTube. I was immediately amazed by what movements they were identifying in every MLB swing and the drills they were using to help their hitters. Soon after I went to train with Epstein Hitting Master Instructor Anthony Brites and was hooked. A few months later I became an Epstein Hitting Instructor and started interning under Coach Brites.  Most of the information shared with me was completely foreign to me before Epstein Hitting.  Through countless hours of studying video, I was able to see how all great hitters were able to separate themselves from other players. Once I started to understand the movements of elite hitters I wanted to be able to apply the same movements into my own swing. This inspired me to share this information with local hitters to help them play this amazing game as long as they can. I started doing one on one lesson in local parks until i finally found a home at The HIT Factory. I am a student of the game and continue to study daily in order to help my hitters the best I can. I work Epstein Hitting camps that are held in the Tri-State area with Jake Epstein and Coach Brites.

EPSTEIN HITTING RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

The Science of Hitting - Ted Williams

The Mental Side of Hitting - Mike Epstein

Mike Epstein on Hitting - Mike Epstein

Do We Teach What We See? DVD - Mike Epstein

Numbers Drill DVD - Mike Epstein

Enforcer Drill DVD - Mike Epstein

Epstein Hitting Advanced DVD - Jake Epstein

Epstein Hitting Core DVD - Jake Epstein

epsteinhittingonlineacademy.com

The LAB Podcast with Jake Epstein