Background

Mike Epstein is one of America's top hitting analysts, instructors and published writers. His uncanny ability to simplify the complexities of the baseball swing has thrust him to the forefront of America's hitting coaches. The Collegiate Baseball News calls Mike the "Hitting Guru of Amateur Baseball."

A nine-year Major Leaguer, mentored by Ted Williams, Mike early-on he discovered the difference between a hitter’s style and technique, and the dramatic effect that it had on teaching hitting mechanics.  A hitter’s style is “personal”—but a player’s “technique” is universal. Mike refined his thoughts on hitting technique by studying baseball’s best hitters, then used those observations with his students. And what he discovered was truly amazing!—the productive hitters that he studied all utilized a universal hitting technique. Teaching this universal technique to players and coaches over the past 23 years, Mike has been able to accelerate the hitting development of countless players which has resulted in over $30 million in signing bonuses and is responsible for countless Division I scholarships.

Mike Epstein’s approach to this universal technique is simple, ingenious, and enjoyable—all at the same time. Through the use of his unique, proprietary drills, he is capable of teaching the teachers—as well as players—of all ages and experience levels, baseball AND softball. What used to take years of learning through “emulation” and playing experience—can now be taught to the player in a matter of days. Coaches can also teach this to their players in a short period of time and accelerate the player’s learning curve. You will find that Mike has a unique way of making the steps look very simple to understand and to teach.

Prior to Mike’s teaching years, he played at, and still holds the highest lifetime batting average (.384) at the University of California, Berkeley. He was a member of the first United States Olympic Baseball Team (Japan, 1964). During his two-year minor league career, Mike led both leagues in batting and home runs and won the league Rookie-of-The-Year and league Most Valuable Player awards, also. Among his numerous awards, he was also named the Sporting News and Topps Minor League Player-of-the-Year in 1966.

Mike Epstein played in the major leagues from 1966 through 1974. Among his baseball highlights was breaking a longstanding Washington Senators club record for left-hand hitters by hitting 30 home runs in 1969. Mike became one of a very select few when he tied the major league record by belting four home runs in four consecutive at bats in 1971. He also led the World Champion Oakland A’s in home runs in 1972.

Mike continued his career in baseball as a minor league manager and hitting instructor, which has led to his current career as one of baseball’s leading independent hitting instructors and seminar speakers. Mike absolutely knows mechanics. In the words of baseball’s greatest hitter, Ted Williams, he simply says about Mike: “He can help any hitter.”

Seminar Synopsis 

• Why these seminars should be important to you!
  Mike's highly-regarded hitting article that he wrote for the Collegiate Baseball News has been re-produced in many periodicals because of its significance in getting hitters to "hit" their potentials with the minus 3 aluminum bats. You can read it by clicking here.
• "The System is the Solution." At the seminar, you will learn all about the Epstein Hitting System™, how it's done and why it's popularity is sweeping the country. Mike Epstein's incomparable hitting system is simple to understand, fun and easy to learn. Begin using the hitting mechanics of 95% of baseball's Hall of Fame hitters in just seven days or less! If you've been struggling for years to get it "right" (and who hasn't?), the Epstein Hitting System™ is for you!
• How to Make the Adjustments to the “Minus 3s.” In the past few years, the N.C.A.A. and the National High School Baseball Federation introduced minus 3 aluminum bats. The latest statistics distributed by these authorities show that home runs and hitting production are off a STAGGERING 30%. The odds are favorable that your youngster or players are included in this widespread group. Epstein brings you the timely advice you need to overcome the increased weight so you can hit your potential.
• Is it possible to TEACH power?  Absolutely! Through the use of Epstein’s unique, proprietary drills, he is capable of teaching the teachers—as well as players—of all ages and experience levels. The mechanics that used to take years of learning through “emulation” and playing experience can now be taught to you at the seminar.
• How Do We Learn To Hit? Epstein traces how we learn to hit from our earliest days and challenges all of us with his engaging question of “Do We Teach What We Really See?”—or do we teach what we hear, or read, or were taught when WE were playing.
• Are we being taught “Myths?” Epstein introduces some of baseball’s “Commonly Taught Hitting Principles” which become real “attention-getters” as he presses on with video examples undermining these “imagined movements.”
• Style versus Technique. Learn why style is “personal” and technique is “universal.” Knowing the difference between the two is the first step to eliminating the confusion among the hitting community.
• Torque and its positive effect on bat quickness, bat velocity, and power. It is, without doubt, the root of all speed and power in the swing! All pitchers use it, and baseball’s most productive hitters do, too. Do you teach it? Do you use it? If not, you’re not teaching/using the same movements that baseball’s elite hitters use!
• A video clip presentation of 35 past and current players clearly showing the vital “torque” position and the swing’s “trigger.” These players are STOPPED in the positions you need to see!
• “Weathervaning” is the key! Epstein shows how hitters—by “matching the plane of the swing to the plane of the pitch”—get the best of all possible worlds: the LONGEST CONTACT AREA and also the ability to get back spin on fly balls and over spin on ground balls. A perfect world, indeed! Epstein’s concept of “weathervaning™” is sweeping the country and coaches and players need to understand its relative importance to the swing plane.
• Staying “inside” the ball. A good reason why 10% of the hitters get 90% of the headlines (or scholarships or money)!
   

For one moment in your life, everyone will wish they were you.

How does the seminar work?

The most popular way to engage Mike is below (if you wish to customize this format, please contact us):

• Flat-fee for two-hour PowerPoint presentation plus expenses.

• 30 minute question-and-answer session.

• A special on-field “clinic” can be organized for next one or two days. During this on-field clinic, Mike personally puts players/coaches/parents into the advantaged hitting positions seen on his DVDs. This enables the player/coach/parent to “feel” the correct body positioning in the drills shown on his videotape which can greatly improve and accelerate the player’s learning curve. Each on-field session has approximately 15 players in the group and lasts 2-2½ hours. These “special” groups have proven very popular and quickly prepares the player for the "blueprint" his body must follow.

• No seminar attendance minimums.

Who benefits from the seminar?

Everyone! Baseball and softball players. Teams, Leagues, coaches, parents, and the clinic sponsors all share in the wealth of information. Many amateur leagues, batting cages and schools have used this popular seminar format for raising money for their baseball booster group. So can you!

Yes! I'm interested. How do I get mike to my city to do a seminar?

It’s easy! Contact Jake or Geoff at (303) 694-7700.

Hope to see you soon! Until then, good luck, continued success, and “get a good pitch to hit!”