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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
Essential to both hitting and understanding baseball, February 1, 2001
This book and Robert Adair's _The_Physics_of_Baseball_ are essential to being the best player, executive, or fan possible. This book is timeless, and focuses on the 'real playing field' of baseball -- the strike zone where the hitter and pitcher battle it out. This book covers technique well, but more importantly, it teaches approach, and the earlier in your life you can learn that, the better you will be. Williams' emphasis on plate discipline and mental approach, combined with his teaching of how to analyze your own swing gives you the basic tools you need to be an excellent offensive player. For pitchers, this book is a must to understand the weapons available to the batter. For fans, this book will help you understand what's important and what's just filler by the broadcast team. If you're under 14 years old, buy this book, or go get from your local library, and study it on a field with a tee and a bag of balls. Then read it every day before you do your hitting reps. This book turns bad hitters fair, and good hitters great. You just need to put in the work.
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1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Teddy Ballgame Shares His Knowledge From The Batter's Box, September 28, 2006
The hardest technique to teach in sports is properly hitting a baseball. There are so many variables and I have felt for years it is the main reason for so many youngsters to walk away from organized team play because of the frustration from failure.
The Science of Hitting, which was written when Ted Williams managed the Washington Senators, is by far the finest book on how to learn to hit a baseball. Williams demonstrates through words and photographs in a step-by-step fashion how to stand properly in the batter's box, how to swing the bat and the keys to being selective. A photograph of Williams at the plate and showing the probable batting average if he swung at a pitch in a particular zone is timeless.
Like any athletic activity, the key is to learn how to do things right from the start. It is also crucial at any skill level that problems should be rectified as soon as possible. As long as there is baseball, the book will remain a classic in teaching how to hit the pitched ball.
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18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
Best book on hitting you can buy!, January 13, 2001
This is the greatest book anyone an possibly buy on hitting. It is written by one of the top 3 hitters in baseball history, Ted Williams, and he definitely knows what he's talking about. Take it from me, I know. Im a 15 year old baseball player, whenever I get into a slump I can read this book and it will automatically get me out of it. If you read this at the beggining of a season it's possible your batting average could at least increase by .200, depending on how good you are. He explains the importance of having a good swing, stride, and everything essential to being a good hitter. This is a must have for every little leaguer.
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33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:
The hitters bible, April 18, 2000
This book is perfect for anyone looking to expand their knowledge on how to hit a baseball. Everything from pitch recognition to a smooth swing are discussed and analyzed. Ted Williams also includes some of his stories from when baseball was a lifestyle. This book allows anyone to see the time and hard work that must go into becoming a good hitter. Becoming a good hitter does not mean picking up a bat and taking a few swings. It starts before you ever get to the ballpark. He walks you through ways to pick up pitcher tendencies, and stresses patience at the plate. This book provides helpful diagrams, which show what pitches are good ones to take a swing at. But he doesn't stop there, he goes into great detail about what you should try and do with that pitch that is in the zone. Also included are tips for making your stance comfortable yet effective, grip on the bat, and improving your power for maximum effectiveness in every at bat. Ted Williams also provides insight on knowing the situation, and doing what is best for your team. A must read for players of all skill levels. This book will grow with you as your hitting experiences expand. Ted Williams deserves more stars than I am allowed to give him for this book.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
A Classic!, June 21, 2008
This book, along with "The Art of Hitting .300" by Charlie Lau, simply belongs on every ballplayer and coaches bookshelve. This book is rather simple in format, yet loaded with subtle tips and techniques.
Are there books that may be better? Absolutley.
However, these two books are the foundation on which all others are built.
If you dont own it, buy it!
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3 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
Very wordy, but a good read, January 13, 2003
The late great TW writes, or most likely, dictates, this book with John Underwood. The book reads as if it's Ted talking, and it feels as if he and I went on a fishing trip, and he was just talking hitting in between him casting for trout or bass or whatever he likes. The only thing missing is a fire crackling and the smell of grilled fish. There are a few theories that were new to me, such as Ted saying that you should swing "up" instead of the standard "down". There is a very nice walk down memorabilia lane at the end of the book with photos and blurbs about all-time great hitters. This is updated, of course, only to about the late 80's, so we're missing Big Mack, Bonds, Sosa, and other recent sluggers, but that's going to happen in any sports book with a certain date on it. If you want help with hitting, I am sure there are more to the point books out there, and they would probably be more worth your money. But if you want to chew some tobacco, and sit by the fireside (nevermind the fishing trip) with the last .400 hitter in MajorLeagueBaseball, together with some tips, get the book.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
A Tremendous Book On Baseball!!!, June 28, 1998
This book gives you the basics on hitting and teaches you everything you need to know about it. The best part is, is that it was written by Ted Williams, one of the greatest hitters of all time. So then you know it's by a great baseball player and not just some guy you,ve never heard of.
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
Good Perspective, But ....., October 27, 2003
Teddy Ballgame put a great read together in this book. Long on player observations, and his playing thoughts, short on actual instruction.Get this book to enjoy the yesteryear of baseball. Get the Mike Schmidt/Rob Ellis Youth Version Study book for much better step by step analysis for the young player.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
Old Timer helping old timers, August 28, 2005
I am 50 and playing in a Men's Senior Baseball League in Atlanta. This book has been perfect for me and the result are astounding. "Science" is a good work to have in the title of this book because Ted Williams distilled hitting to its essence. There is such great logic behind his approach that it is very easy to remember. The mind is not clouded with an endless list of do's and dont's. I wish I had know of this book earlier. It makes a world of difference. Last fall when I played, I got maybe 2 hits the entire season. This summer I am hitting .457. Ted Williams was a very smart player and, as it turns out, was a great teacher as well.
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0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
great book!, July 25, 2002
This is a great book to read over and over again. It really helped my hitting by analyzing the swing and psychology of the pitcher and hitter. Great insights into Williams' career.
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