"My son David is grateful to have completed the "Get Conncected" hitting instruction offered by Ray McDonald. Ray offers an easy to understand hands on approach method with before and after video analysis depicting the improvements achieved in David's swing. I would recommend this class for players looking to develop a short, compact and powerful swing."
Rick Raiter - Winthrop, MA
I sent my ten-year old son to Ray McDonald's 7-day training program in order learn the rotational method of hitting. With lot of patience and perseverance, Ray began working his magic on my son's swing, transforming it bit by bit into a 'rotational' swing. But make no mistake. There are no shortcuts to learning the Mike Epstein method, which Ray is a certified trainer. There are many drills to be done. But Ray is a great teacher. He made the work' fun', and my son responded well to his firm but funny and friendly manner. ..He also made sure that I (as the dad) would learn what I needed to so that I could continue the drills with my son after the sessions were over. Another great touch is his use of the video camera, where my son's swing could be analyzed for all its imperfections and improvements. The progress from his first session to his last was amazing!
I would highly recommend sending anyone to Ray for training, as long as you are passionate about baseball and willing to work hard..
Steve Silva - Owner Extra Innings -Tewksbury, MA
First let me say, that "The Hitting Connection" has been a great addition at Extra Innings. Ray is a patient and hard woking instructor who is passionate about rotational hitting. The entire program has been well received and the number of clientele that Ray has projected since bringing "The Hitting Connection" into my facility has always been met. The students that have worked with Ray have been challenged and responded well with positive comments about the training. I look forward to continued success with Ray and his rotational hitting program!
Bunker Hill Community College Bulldogs
Boston, MA
Mike & Jake,
Once again, I am thrilled to report that your techniques have taken our program to new levels of success. Last year's team was committed to the core movements and proprietary drills taught using the Epstein Hitting System. I cannot express my thanks for all of the support Epstein Hitting has provided to our program.
The starting nine players posted a staggering .412 team batting average and BHCC was ranked Number Two in the country in team batting (.387). BHCC averaged 9.75 runs scored per game.
In this coaching staff's first season, BHCC won it's first Massachusetts Community College Athletic Conference (MCCAC) State Championship.
I was concerned moving into the Bulldog's 2009 Fall season as most of our sophomores moved on and our team had a healthy number of freshman players, but we started them off immediately with the Epstein Hitting System drills and after playing all four-year schools during our Fall season, the numbers again speak for themselves:
Team Batting Average: .351
Team Slugging Percentage: .498
I am very encouraged going into the 2010 Spring campaign with these numbers. Each player is working hard and developing a great swing using your techniques.
Ray McDonald, Assistant Baseball Coach
Bunker Hill Community College
Ethan Coakley - Douglas Rotational Hitting Clinic - Auburn, MA
I would just like to thank you, Coach Mac for your time and effort at the clinic this past weekend. I learned a lot about hitting that I had never knew before. I was always taught by numerous different hitting coaches about how to swing level and basically swing with my arms and to keep your eye on the ball. After the first 30 min at your clinic I knew I would get more out of the first night there then I would with a week with any other batting clinic. Seeing the difference in my swing from night one to night three was amazing. Before I thought my swing was good, man was I wrong. Everything you taught us this weekend makes total sense, about how to swing up because the pitcher is throwing down at an angle, or keeping your back elbow in and building up torque before the pitch and we all can’t forget, Hips Lead the Hands! I had a great time working with you and Coach Dan ill never forget any of the check points. 100% satisfied with the clinic. I definitely recommended this clinic to everyone, not just older or younger kids, I'm a senior in high school playing my last year of high school ball I'm glad I did this before college, wish I did it back when I was going into high school not leaving! Great clinic loved every second of it. Thank you, and Good luck to you and your Bulldogs this season, Might be attending a community college in the fall maybe ill be playing with or against you. Good luck
Walter Babcock - Woburn Panthers
Hi Ray,
Chelsie had a jamboree this weekend; her first game was against Wakefield. She had two at bats, she walked the first time and grounded out the 2nd time (she was slap hitting the first game). Chelsie and I spoke after the 1st game and I told Chelsie to use what she learned from rotational hitting.
The 2nd game was against a very top pitcher from Billerica!!! 1st at bat she hit away and got a single to the left field, just missed it, but looked good swinging away. The second at bat she hit a triple over the right fielder’s head (great swing that she learned from you Ray McDonald) and after that bat she had more confidence. The next game she had two walks but looked very good swinging and people complimented on her swing.
I would like to say thanks and all your hard work that you put in with Chelsie!!!!
Chelsie is a better hitter and it makes her into a balanced hitter due to rotational hitting (Chelsie can now hit for power and play small ball slap hitting), it's going to make her a offensive threat this year.
Thanks,
Chelsie & Walter
Ray Riddick- Westford, MA
I hope things are well professionally as well as with your team. Your season is about to wind down, but I am sure that your players are knocking the cover off the ball.
A quick update on my daughter Sage. Right after your lessons, she made her high school varsity team as the third baseman and clean-up hitter. Because she is only a freshman, this really surprised my wife and me. As soon as the team went outside, she was killing the ball. I feel this is a direct result of the time she was able to spend with you.
John Skinner - Wilmington, MA
Hi Ray
I wanted to update you on Kyle’s progress. He has done really well this spring and into the summer season. He has become a good consistent hitter (and all-around player). He's not a superstar but he has become a consistent hitter. He gets hits often and has a good eye for getting on via the base on balls. His hits are always in the gaps or ground balls into the gaps and when he does get on base he's become good at stealing. He finished JV and the spring In-Town Rec. League making the Rec. All-Star Team. Currently he is playing in the Northeast Summer League. I really enjoy watching him now. He carries himself with confidence (on the field and at the plate), and now he looks like a "baseball player". Thanks for your training program. We should try to get him back to you this winter for some refresher training.
I'll keep you updated.
Thank you,
John
Andrew Palsha - Douglas, MA
Please pass on this message to Chris and all your coaches! What a great session you are putting together on hitting. I learned so much myself on the first day and it was so great how you had the body positioning and grip put into the steps. I know Drew loved it and yes was challenged at 8 am on a Saturday, but what we gained just on the first day was very strong. I love the homework as well, because this will allow me as his Dad and a coach to keep going through the repetitions and creating muscle memory with him on everything you taught.
In football repetition is constant, and I almost think Drew expects step by steps with everything and many times that is not available, but your lessons and progression are fitting right in. Again I as a parent really enjoyed the session and I learned a great deal and so did Drew. Just wanted to pass on my feedback and we are glad we are involved.
Thanks Andy
The Arnold Family - MA
Dear THC,
Just wanted to thank you again for a great hitting clinic. As you know, Dillon and Rachel Arnold just finished your clinic. They were hitting pretty good before, but since taking your clinic their hitting has improved greatly! The last game Dillon played, he hit a single, a double and a triple in the same game! Rachel is making great hits consistently also. When other parents ask if they've been taking lessons, I highly recommend the hitting connection. I would like to personally thank coach Ray and coach Dan for their dedication to the kids' understanding of the mechanics and the importance of practice, also for their ability to relate to the kids and make it fun for them. It was a great learning experience for us also. I'd like to thank Chris Reding for Introducing us to the Hitting Connection, we will definitely be coming back!
