Getting in the Right Mindset at the Plate

March 8, 2010 by Walter Herbison  
Filed under The Swingaway

The HEAD GAMES methodology is exceedingly simple and fun to use.  This simplicity is an  absolute requirement if an athlete aspires to attain the “seventh heaven” of Baseball Excellence.  If there are those who desire or have tried complex theories, which are doomed to failure, I hope that they would follow the advice and testimonial of an athlete and businessman that I worked with, who has a PhD in chemistry.   This great guy was a  skeptic as to the power of the right brain in  performance, until he tried it, and the results were astounding, both as a pitcher and as an engineer.  Make this your best season ever.  Playing relaxed and focused guarantees right brain play and success.

ADJUSTMENT FROM THE PEN TO THE MOUND–Among others at major league spring training camp this year, I worked with a pitcher who had been having location problems.  I watched him at a distance while warming up; not a single pitch was above the knees–phenomenal location, with quality pitches.  He pitched his scheduled four innings, while making mostly excellent pitches, but he gave up two earned runs by getting several pitches up in the zone.  Other observers came to the conclusion that the problem was mechanical.  During dinner that evening I gave him the solution.  Going from an almost flat mound in the bullpen to a higher elevation requires an adjustment mentally and physically.  Unless the mind dictates to the body the necessity for a new release point, the body will usually take the path of least resistance and the ball will be up.   It’s just easier not to bend the back a little more to insure a lower release point.  We see this often by pitchers late in games after they tire.  Release point determines location, but only a consistent follow through will insure accurate and consistent location.  The body will do the bidding of the mind if given proper instruction.  The aforementioned pitcher’s  called me after after his next start and was elated.  He threw five innings, giving up no runs with only four hits.  He made the adjustment and kept the ball down consistently.  Mind over matter.  HEAD GAMES will also work for you!

Having a Simple Approach at the Plate

February 19, 2010 by Walter Herbison  
Filed under The Swingaway

I get numerous requests from those who want me to analyze mental performance methodologies with which they are experimenting with or plan to try.  In all cases, thus far, they require thinking during performance, which is diametrically opposed to the HEAD GAMES approach.

I am not familiar with everything that’s out there, but I do know that you need look no further than HEAD GAMES relative to successful MENTAL methods.  The techniques are unprecedented and unparallel and  are proven over and over by a multitude of testimonials.  Simplicity must be a prerequisite if success is to be expected.

SwingAway Ranked as a Top Product as NFCA Show

January 22, 2010 by Coach John Flading  
Filed under The Swingaway

To see the SwingAway review, skip ahead to 13:40 in the video below.

Learn How to Keep It Simple at the Plate

January 11, 2010 by Walter Herbison  
Filed under The Swingaway

If you are interested in buying the head games book, click here to purchase it on the SwingAway website:

At a major baseball convention,  a sports psychologist in attendance unknowingly paid HEAD GAMES a great compliment.  His critical comment to the company selling the book was, “yeah, I’ve read it, but  It’s written on an eighth grade level.”   Au contraire!  I’m thinking that if an eight year old can read it, understand it and attain baseball excellence, then it must be written on maybe a third grade level?  In order to scale the pinnacle of performance potentiality, simplicity is an absolute necessity.  If  you’ve just got to have a complicated methodology that doesn’t work,  then HEAD GAMES is not your answer.  E-mail me and I’ll give you the name of the other guy’s book which sold a total of one at the convention compared to many written on “the eight grade level.”  If you want something simple to use that works and works immediately from youth leagues through the major leagues, then make HEAD GAMES yours and maximum potential for success can be realized.  I talked with a major league pitcher this week that I worked with toward the end of last season.  His subsequent success was close to perfect after struggling all season.  Now, he can’t wait for the season to begin.  Barring injury, this WILL be his best season ever, and he’s had some really good ones.  His comment on the book:  “I have never liked to read, but I love THIS book.  I don’t want to put it down.  The techniques are so easy to use.”  To insure success, one must mentally embrace a simple approach that allows consistent play “in the zone.”

The HEAD GAMES methodology is exceedingly simple and fun to use.  This simplicity is an absolute requirement if an athlete aspires to attain the “seventh heaven” of Baseball Excellence.  If there are those who desire or have tried complex theories, which are doomed to failure, I recommend that they  get on board with hundreds of athletes who have discovered the awesome power of HEAD GAMES.  Accolades, testimonials & endorsements continue to pour in from across the world.  The success of HEAD GAMES has been and continues to be unprecedented and unparalleled. Ladies & Gentlemen, start your powerful “mental engines” by choosing the holistic philosophy of HEAD GAMES, and begin to enjoy life and success on and off the field.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR -Walter Herbison - He consulted with Mississippi State Baseball from 1988-1992, the Atlanta Braves in 1990, LSU in 1991 and 2000, the Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs organizations and many other amateur and professional teams. Nationally, he has consulted with many players individually — from youth leagues to Major Leagues.

BasballTips.com Review of the New SwingAway Backyard Batting Station

January 8, 2010 by Coach John Flading  
Filed under The Swingaway

Post written by Coach JB (founder and owner of BaseballTips.com)- The Newly Released SwingAway Model For Home Training of All Age Players! The most affordable SwingAway ever Made.

The SwingAway Batting Station and Trainers have been around Big league and Little League Baseball for many years and have been owned by hundreds, perhaps even thousands of pro ballplayers for personal use and off season training. Now, John Flading, the SwingAway Company President, has engineered a home size & quality machine that makes this fine batting practice partner affordable to all serious players for use right in their own backyard, basement or garage… its even been designed to fold flat and store in a small area, and will lean right up against a wall.

The idea is have the ball reset every 3 seconds to maximize swing repetition in a safe and efficient manner. The SwingAway simulates a batting tee station but with more flexibility in the level of training. No picking up balls and no catch net is required, just set it up (it’s very quick), adjust the height of the ball and begin working up as tough or easy a workout that you design! You will learn to improve on hitting to all parts of the strike zone and improve hitting too all parts of the ball field… with power! No Player Is Too Young To Begin Improving…especially when it’s this much fun!

Work On Your Weak Points!
Every player does some things well and some…not so much. When you get in the cage or are at batting practice, you want to really rake…doing your best at what you do best. But, the reality is that in baseball, it isn’t about what you want…it’s about what you are going to get. Once, pitchers and other coaches figure out where you are weak…buddy, they are coming after you! Now’s your opportunity to work on that low & away pitch at the knees that gives you so much trouble, or perhaps the inside pitch or… whatever.

The bottom line is that you can get better at any and all aspects of your game… you will need a number of swings and then some… Now you can stop the frustration and start having a lot more fun…right in your own backyard.

All SwingAway models are built tough and perform as advertised…now there is another innovative model that makes these lessons much more affordable. And yes… it is a lot of fun too!

SwingAway Sports Products, Inc.

January 5, 2010 by Coach John Flading  
Filed under The Swingaway

The SwingAway Titan Elite

Baseball or Softball

Features a Bottom Boom and a new Revolutionary Hitting Mat. The bottom boom feature will perfectly align the Patented Pulley System of the machine making it all but impossible for the pulleys to become misaligned and therefore it will increase the life of the Bungee System. The new SA TITAN ELITE is built to take the constant use and demands of the Professional Athlete and now it is now available to ALL PLAYERS who possess the drive and determination to

“Get REAL GOOD, REAL FAST” and then become “The Best”


SwingAway Titan Elite Features:

  • Develops Proper Swing Mechanics, Muscle Memory, Hand/Eye Coordination, Power, Bat Speed, and Confidence
  • Provides the feel of hitting live pitches without chasing or picking up balls
  • Learn to Hit the Ball where Pitched. Learn proper contact points for inside, outside, down the middle pitch locations
  • 3 – second Ball return, up to 10-15 quality swings per minute
  • Teaches Hands To and Inside the Ball promoting a short compact
  • Train Year Round, Inside or Outside, folds in seconds for storability and Portability
  • Becomes an Instant Hitting Station at Practice, maximizing the number of player swings. No more standing and waiting.

Made of High Quality Heavy U.S. Galvanized Steel. The SA Titan Elite folds flat within seconds for quick storage and portability. The Set-up size is 58″ x 48″ with highest point of 6′2″.  The Recommended Space is 10′ x 10′ area. The total Weight is Only 38 lbs.

You can expect Top Performance from your SwingAway for Years and Years

SwingAway Sports Products Inc            CONTACT: LEON DAVIDSON

(916) 475-6838

The SwingAway ProTraveler


  • Perfect for Teams on the Go – Bring your own Portable Hitting Station to the field with no fumbling to set up nets and tees.
  • This SA Pro Traveler has been redesigned and engineered to make this machine 10 pounds lighter while maintaining it structural integrity, quality, durability and its sturdiness. This Machine is Rock Solid, and does not move when hit unlike other hitting aids in the market.
  • The SA Pro-Traveler was designed as the Portable Hitting Station; it is perfectly suitable as a Stationary Hitting System.
  • This machine folds in half within 60 seconds to be placed in Carrying Case.
  • Includes one baseball or softball and now comes with a carrying case at no additional charge.

Don’t get to the Tournament only to find there are

no batting cages available!

SwingAway Sports Products Inc

Swing Away Sports Products has never paid a Professional Ballplayer to use or endorse our products. The reason is because we do not have to. The SwingAway® Hitting System is in every Major League Stadium. Every MLB Player has access to the SwingAway® and the vast majority of these players hit on a SwingAway® before, during and after the game.

Our Machines have earned the VALIDATION as the PREMIER HITTING MACHINE at the Highest Level of the Game. The new TITAN PRODUCT LINE is built to take the constant use and demands of the Professional Athlete and it is also available to ALL PLAYERS who possess the drive and determination to Get Good, and then become The Best.

Don’t be fooled by other hitting products with a Superstar Player on the Box These players typically do not use these products, because these products do not provide any real benefit and simply do not produce the results necessary to elevate a player’s game. This Superstar will only have access to a SwingAway at the Stadium, not the product he promotes.

Eric Davis – former San Francisco Giant

“I’m a firm believer in being able to put the ball where you want to…you can adjust the height, get the location you want to practice. The main thing for me is you don’t have to chase the balls; it’s more convenient than anything I’ve ever used. You can work on where you like the ball. It makes you isolate specifically on the ball.”

Joe Carter – Former Major Leaguer

“The SwingAway® has a much better feel than the tee…the next best thing to live pitching…I can work any part of the strike zone without picking up balls.”

Sue Enquist – Former UCLA Softball Coach

“Our offensive practices are more productive… It takes less time to obtain proper muscle memory… You no longer have to worry about picking up loose balls and putting them on a tee. SwingAway® is portable, lightweight and durable. It is an excellent investment for a program striving for better offensive results.”

Jennifer Brundage, Former Member – Team USA Softball

“I use the SwingAway® to work on the mechanics of my swing. The time I not having to pick up balls allows me 100 extra swings a day. I love it!”

A Sampling of Big League Players and Coaches

That Used and Supported the SwingAway Hitting System

Dusty Baker               Bobby Cox                   George Brett              Joe Carter

Johnny Damon           Eric Davis        Ricky Henderson   Willie McCovey      Jim Rice

Cal Ripken Jr.   Gary Sheffield          the Swedish National Womens Softball Team

…and many more!

Happy New Year from SwingAway!

January 1, 2010 by Coach John Flading  
Filed under The Swingaway

happy-new-year-fireworks

Merry Christmas from SwingAway!

December 25, 2009 by Coach John Flading  
Filed under The Swingaway

The New SwingAway debuted on Black Friday at Sports Authority and Hibbetts Sporting Goods posting Strong Sales. ($199.99)

December 1, 2009 by Coach John Flading  
Filed under The Swingaway

The New SwingAway – The Ultimate Hitting Machine had a Strong Debut this past weekend at the Sports Authority and selected Hibbetts Sporting Goods with a suggested retail price of $199.99… This Patented Machine has all the credentials and the structural integrity that is associated with the SwingAway Brand and Reputation without the cost. This machine is intended for home training for all Baseball and Softball Players regardless of age and skill level.

Atlanta, GA, December 01, 2009 — (Press Release) — SwingAway Sports Product’s newest Hitting Machine “The SwingAway “was introduced to the Baseball and Softball World this Holiday Season by being featured in All 460 Sports Authority Stores and 150 of the larger Hibbetts Sporting Goods stores throughout the United States. The SwingAway is the newest and most affordable Batting Station to date from this new and exciting company.

SwingAway Hitting Systems has built a reputation and has always been the Batting Machine of Choice by Professional and Scholastic Programs, now it’s finally affordable for all Players who possess the drive and determination to be the Best. “We as a company are extremely proud to produce the only hitting machine that actually teaches and re-enforces the proper swing fundamentals and mechanics that makes our customers better baseball and softball Hitters and we continue to be successful in doing something Real Good for the Game of Baseball and Softball” states John J Flading, SwingAway’s President and CEO.

“The New SwingAway acts as a Personal Hitting Instructor that will make any player a Better Hitter, Period, GUARANTEED”, says Flading. “It is SwingAway Sports Products Goal to make the very best training aids plus offer all the tools to help our customers achieve their dreams and goals. The new SwingAway combined with the SA Hitting Mat, the SA University (SwingAway’s On-Line Hitting Academy), plus the privileged access to Baseball’s and Softball’s Greatest Hitting Coach’s, will make it possible and now affordable to make every SwingAway customer a better Hitter. The Price of this machine makes it a Great Entry Level Batting Station but it still will take the pounding of older and more experienced hitters”.

Contact Information
SwingAway Sports Products, Inc
John J Flading- President and CEO
800-999-1968, 404-825-7063
jflading@swingaway.com
www.swingaway.com
www.swingawayblog.com

Happy Thanksgiving from SwingAway

November 26, 2009 by Coach John Flading  
Filed under The Swingaway

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