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 Audio clip highlight, Willie on his 1st AB against the legendary Satchel Paige
HF:
 Detailed information on the Dusty Baker International Academy of Baseball Information Update - Dusty Baker School of Baseball: To obtain information, call 916-624-7373 or FAX 1-916-632-2989. These numbers are for information on the school, and are not a way to reach Dusty. The mailing address for the school is : Dusty Baker International Academy of Baseball
P.O. Box 1461
Pollock Pines, CA. 95726
530-644-3067
The school can be contacted at bdcarmichael@sbcglobal.net*** this is not an email address for Dusty Baker
Dusty's MailBag excerpts From Dusty's Mailbag Q. From Jeff: I have been having trouble adjusting my weight in games when batting. I am always way out in front of the ball and my back foot moves sometimes. I have tried to correct it many times but it seems like the same problems always keep coming up no matter what i do. I would like to know some methods that might help me correct it. A. Dusty: "The main thing thing is to time the pitcher, from the on deck circle. You get your timing as we refer to in the book in what we call equal but opposite. When the pitcher shows you his hip pocket (leg kick) you start your inward turn turn . You have to get that timing either watching him warm up, or from the on deck circle."
Q. From Woody: My son is 8 years old and a pretty good hitter .He hits real well in the batting cage, but in the game he is over striding and he is hitting the ball of the handle. Any tips you could help him with this problem. A. Dusty: "Sounds like your son is hitting off machine, after machine, after machine. I would suggest either you or someone else throw live pitching to him, to simulate the pitching he would see in the game. With a machine it's harder to get your timing. Anyone can hit off the machine, but unless he's hitting off an old style arm machine, he won't get in synch with the arm movement. And if he's lunging he's doesn't have any leg-cock, or inward turn, hip or shoulder movement to get ready for his swing. Q. From Hector: Where did Dusty Baker play little league. What City and State? A. Dusty: ."Played for the Riverside Little League, Patterson Park. Riverside, Ca" Q. from Jason: Dusty, Please list your top 5 favorite books all-time. A. Dusty: I'll name four: the Art of war, Book of Five Rings, The Old Man and the Sea, Bob Marley Q. From Frederick S.: I have been pitching since I was 10 yrs old, I am now 20. During my Freshman year of high school, I had a great season I threw two perfect games and was throwing around the high eighties. During my JV year, my arm started bothering me. I found out that I had a slight stretch in a tendon and a bone spur that was causing an impingement. I had surgery
and physical therapy, that was in 1999. I had to miss half of my JV year and my Varsity year. This was devastating to me. My grades went down and I was very depressed for a while. Before my injury, my coach was talking to scouts regarding me signing on. I know need to work to get back to
where I was. The doctors and physical therapists tell me it is possible with a lot of work. I just need to get motivated. Do you have any suggestions regarding how to go about getting my arm to where it was. I still do not have the range of motion that I did have. I have gained back some of my speed, I am now throwing around 86. Additionally, I am working on my pitches. I have a very wicked slider, fastball, fast cut ball, change up. I am working on some other things as well. I am going to start college next fall and want to make sure that I am in the best shape possible. Any advice that you might have would be great. A. Dusty: "Get with a physical therapist, and someone who can give you the proper drills. Shoulder and leg strengthening and stretching exercises. Dr. Frank Jobe has a series of well documented exercises that have been around for years, using 3-5 pound dumb bell weights. I'd look into that"
Q. From anonymous: Dusty, My father has a very early stage of
prostate cancer and is going in for surgery. He was diagnosed just before you announced your diagnosis. I would like to thank you for announcing to the public what you were going through and how you were going to deal with the cancer. It sounds like my Dad is going to take the same course of action you did. While my dad doesn't follow sports, I do, and knowing that you have some of the best medical care/advice available, and that you chose the same course of action to fight the cancer that my Dad chose is comforting. I would like to thank you for going public about his illness and letting us know what you were doing to get better. It really helps others who are dealing with this illness. Glad to hear you are on his way to a full recovery!
Thank you and Go Giants,
Listen to Dusty's answer Q. From Andy B: Dusty, My son just finished his first year of college baseball. As a freshman he started the first 15 games, then went into a hitting slump (and it affected his fielding). He just couldn't make contact, and lost his starting position. Obviously his confidence went down the drain. I'm honestly looking for that inspiration to get him back on track. Any thoughts on why he would be whiffing the ball and/or things I could tell him to work at for next season?
Listen to Dusty's answer Q. From Tom: Dusty, I have a 12 year old son who is not very big in his
arms and I've been trying weight training with him. Should I continue with the weight training? Listen to Dusty's answer Q. From Tom: Dusty, Any advice for a twelve year old switch hitter? Any drills he can practice, do's or don'ts for switch hitting, what about bats at this age?
Listen to Dusty's answer Do you have a question that you would like to ask? We collect questions every week on subjects including: Hitting instruction and life in the big leagues. Feel free to email us, and we'll try to answer as many as time allows.
This Month's Hitting Tip - Taken from "You Can Teach Hitting" Keeping your Head Down
Name your front shoulder "Ike" and back shoulder "Mike." Your head, as you look at the pitcher, starts on "Ike" . When you complete your swing, your chin should be touching "Mike." Your head doesn't actually move, but it stays right down on the ball. This helps you get a good look at the ball and sense it's position and movement. Try to see the ball with both eyes. For a visual click here | © 1993, Bittinger Books. Reprinted by permission from the book and video series, You Can Teach Hitting, by Dusty Baker, Jeff Mercer, and Marv Bittinger
Quotes on the "You Can Teach Hitting" series of products Hank Aaron, Baseball's All-Time Home Run King, and member of the Hall of Fame, said "I highly recommend [Dusty Baker's] book and CD-ROM as a teaching aid for players of all age groups."
Will Clark, Retired 1st Baseman - "Dusty Baker has had a ton of impact on my hitting career. The main aspect of the game that he helps me with is the mental part of hitting."
Matt Williams, 3rd Baseman - Arizona Diamond Backs "Dusty breaks the mental game down with each individual. He makes you get into your mind and think about what you are doing. He works very hard at his job and gains satisfaction at that."
Larry Gouthro, Coach, British Columbia "I've been coaching 35 yrs. I've never seen such an effect on our hitters. We went to the provincial finals for the first time and scored 39 runs in the first 3 games Thomas D'Errico, (former) Head Coach, Simi Valley High School Varsity Baseball "As the Head Coach of the Simi Valley varsity baseball team I have used the Dusty Baker hitting video tapes for the past two years. They are an excellent resource that our players can refer to at any time. I am really thrilled with the Dusty Baker CD-ROM, because of it's excellent format, and the time that can be saved by being able to instantly access any part of the program. Mr. Baker, Mr. Mercer, and Bittinger have made and easy to understand series that can teach hitting to coaches and players at any level. Scholastic Coach, "The combination of an outstanding major league batting coach (Dusty Baker) and two fine technicians works handsomely in this instructional batting text.... They cover the whole game, from picking a bat to stance, swing, common mistakes, drills, bunting/squeezing/hit and run, practice organization, developing the specific hitter (from ages 4-7 to age 18 and over), the mental side of hitting and working with the advanced hitter." | 
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