The Mike Schmidt Study: Building a Hitting Foundation

The Mike Schmidt Study by Mike Schmidt and Rob Ellis is the absolute reference for hitting mechanics and the mental approach to the pitcher/hitter battle. I played baseball through American Legion (one of the most successful programs in the state of NC). The only reason I did not play beyond that level was due to the inability to hit a 90+ mph fastball consistently. If I guessed correctly, I would sometimes connect back then. My hands were too slow and I had a faulty path to the ball plus I was never strategic at the plate! I did all the front arm, back arm, fence drill and soft toss exercises, but I never understood why and how this helped increase hand speed or correct the path to the ball. So, now eighteen years after my last game in the 1990 American Legion Southeast Regional Tournament, hitting a baseball has become an obsession. You see, I have four boys whom I need to teach how to hit correctly. In addition, I have eleven others who have chosen me as their coach to teach correct hitting mechanics. Why? Because their parents have seen my sons' swings and have seem me hit. After years of research, I have chosen the Mike Schmidt Study as my focal reference to help me teach. I read Ted Williams when I was 14 but I didn't understand it back then. If I had, perhaps things would have been different. It was just too complex for me at the time. If inexperienced, one should start with the Youth Edition but for those looking to make it to the next level, this book is imperative. In addition, I would highly recommend finding the DVD's mentioned at the end of the book. They are worth the investment. By the way, even after lower back surgery to correct a disk problem, I am now roping a 90+ mph fastball consistently......with WOOD! My boys and those who are learning through me are very thankful and hopefully they will reach the next level one day. Thank you, Mike and Rob, for unveiling the secrets of hitting.

Rob Ellis, with his experience as a professional player and coach (as well as being a licensed clinical therapist) is as fine a writer on hitting as I have found. As a developer of a the largest website on the internet devoted totally to hitting (with members in all 50 states and 15 foreign countries) I can truly say that Rob's articles on this site have had a most positive effect on the members. There have been many good comments on Rob's articles - many of the articles taken from this book. The Online Hitting Academy takes pride in having Rob Ellis as a long-standing regular writer. I would advise anyone interested in developing their hitting skills or those of their team to definately study any of Rob's books. "The Mike Schmidt Study" should be a standard on any coach's or player's bookshelf. It's a 'must read' for anyone who is serious about learning the techniques and skills that have helped even seasoned professionals!

With over thirty years experience in this great game, I think I learned a little about hitting. The most concise and clear examples and explanation of how to become a great hitter is in this book. It is extremely well written and gives all hitters the necessary tools to improve their performance. If you could only purchase one book on hitting, this would have to be the one!

Hitting a baseball is considered one of the most difficult skills in sports. "The Mike Schmidt Study" is an excellent book on the subject of hitting. You cannot go wrong from reading and applying the content of this book. There are many theories and opinions on the science and art of hitting...from linear mechanics to rotational mechanics to combining both. This book is well written. Without wasting your time with lengthy text explanations it shows with clear illustrations and simple but effective drills how to learn and improve your hitting. The book covers all aspects of hitting, from theory to the swing and mental mechanics that are necessary to excel as a hitter. No one book is going to cover or satisfy completely all there is to know about hitting. But the Mike Schmidt Study, with its twelve-lesson format, is as good a study on hitting as you will come across anywhere. Excellent for coaches, hitters and parents who want to help their son or daughters master the skill of hitting. I have used a great deal of what I have learned here in my hitting clinics to youngsters ... I wish I knew just a fifth of what is in this book when I played "AA". You can't go wrong reading this book...anyone that says differently just do not know what they are talking about or and never played baseball, let alone try to hit a ball.

This is definately the best overall resource on hitting that I've come across. Mr. Schmidt is one of the few pro players who is willing to put time and energy into a project to help younger players. In a time where there are hitting manuals that can reach the price range of hundreds of dollars you can't go wrong with this one. It contains information that easily competes (if not surpasses) any other source out there and at a resonable price. The theory and techniques illustrated in this book would have took entire career to compile to this extent. I've read many, many baseball "How-to" books but this is simply the best in terms of the art of hitting and you wouldn't go wrong buying this one. Mr. Schmidt wasn't only the best third baseman of all time but was truly a student-of-the-game.