Hi,

Son is playing in the Cal Ripken Summer College league. A couple of people have mentioned Coach Johnson. Would appreciate any feedback mebers may have.

Thanks,

Nick

Send me a emme.

Can I presume you son is NOT hitting with wood?

cheers
Bear

Bear,

I have snet you a PM. Nick

Nick, one back at you!

Bear you have a PM!!

One back at you!

For what it's worth, this is what I know.

Like with most instructors, I know people in the baseball world that love him and those who think his style of hitting (rotational) is only for certain types of players.

LJ Hoes (former St. Johns HS standout, 3 time All-Met selection, and '08 Balt O's draftee) was and is a student of his.

I've never met the man, but I've heard he's a nice guy. I've watched players play who are students of his, as my son played with several of them. The stronger players physically, do well; however, those who are not as physically strong, struggle with rotational style of hitting.

It never hurts to try something out, and if it isn't a fit, to move on.

I personally like Derrick Hacopian of Maryland Baseball Academy (Gaithersburg, MD) or Matt Knox of Elite Baseball of Lancaster Pennsylvania http://www.elitebaseballoflancaster.com/. Neither teach rotational hitting, although that doesn't mean RH won't work for you. Again, I use LJ as a prime example of a player who prospered under Mr. Johnson's direction.

Peace and God's Blessings...
Shane

LJ went to him but he didn't use his system. I don't see how every player has the same exact stance that he teaches.

quote:

Originally posted by coach scoop:
LJ went to him but he didn't use his system. I don't see how every player has the same exact stance that he teaches.

All I know is that if you talk to LJ or his father Jerome, they both endorse Mr. Johnson as do many others, and LJ saw him on a regular basis.

If LJ has recently changed his position on Mr. Johnson's system, then I stand corrected.

Under the coaching of Mark Gibbs (head coach of St Johns HS in DC) LJ might have changed his mechanics, as Mark and his father are very good coaches, however, I wouldn't know. I know that coach Gibbs preached solid fundamentals at the plate when my son attended SJ.

With that said, I agree with you. Personally, I don't like the hands low, upper-cut swing, unless you're Ted Williams or Barry Bonds. I've seen some players with great tools and potential, really struggle with this type of hitting. I overheard one DI coach say "We were really high on (player's name withheld here) but after seeing him take BP it's obvious he goes to BJ, and that really makes me nervous." That particular school never contacted said prospect again.

On the other hand, I've seen two other players (not LJ) crush the ball on a regular basis and accredit their talent and success to BJ. Both boys are 6'2+ and over 200 lbs. With my limited knowledge, it seems that the stronger players with good bat speed can make RH work. Other players with avgerage size, strength and bat speed (when I say average I'm talking colligiate level average or high level high school player types)struggle.

Peace and God's Blessings...
Shane

My son went to Derek Hacopian and really liked him.

However, we tried Larry Sheets and my son related to his style a little better.

Hitting instructors are very personal from what I have seen.

Bill