Hitting and Hitters Discussion Ali Viola Hitting Coach - Who goes to her and what do you like about her?

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Ali has been my 13 yr old DD's hitting coach since last fall. Ali is simply THE BEST! She has taken my DD who had never taken hitting lessons and didn't know how to swing correctly and transformed her into a great hitter in just 9 months. We go once a week in Groveport, OH and work on drills on our own a few other days at home ( in the garage in the Winter ). Ali has 12 years of D1 coaching experience and had a very successful career playing at Nebraska. I see her build a personal relationship with every girl she works with, and she remembers exactly what each girl's strengths and weaknesses are tailoring each session to their needs. She's so positive when the girls have success and she's equally as positive when they are struggling. She also teaches the mental aspect of hitting which I just love. I didn't post this as part of any marketing thing for Ali. I just have so much respect and admiration for her that I wanted to give her a shout out. She had my DD swinging great in practice sessions in just a few months. She started transferring it to games just about a month ago when she finally worked on the mental part of hitting to be ready and just let it happen, and it did, big time! The one thing that sticks out to me the most about becoming a great hitter is that it takes learning the mechanics from a great coach and building up the mental aspects ( confidence, studying the pitcher, focus ) to be a great hitter. Ali, you Rock!

 

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My DD has gone to Ali Viola every week for the last 3 years. We started out going part time, because of Ali's busy OSU schedule, and worked our way into every week. During the off season the DD goes three times a week. One day(Monday) for speed & agility, one day(Thursday) for a small group batting lesson and my DD's travel team does a group offense/defense session on Saturdays. My DD will tell you she couldn't hit the side of a barn when she first went to Ali and is currently the #2 batter on her travel team, rarely strikes out and can make the mental adjustments to have a successful at bat . My DD will also tell you Ali doesn't change you, only makes you better. She keeps my DD's confidence up, always positive and my DD is always sad if she's misses a week at Ali's. Watching Ali interact with these young ladies is heart warming.

Bementb mention Ali had a very successful career at Nebraska. I always tell other parents who I'm trying to get to take their DD to Ali, to GOOGLE her. You'll find that Ali is a 3 time All American, who still holds various school records, is still the career BIG 12 batting champion and is one of six NCAA Division 1 hitters to accumulate a .400 batting average with 200 RBI's and 50 home runs. And Ali did all this in only three years.

I have to agree with you Bementb, Ali does rock and if you want her info for a lesson just pm me.

 

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My entire team spent the winter working with Coach Viola. She did a tremendous job working with the girls. Coach Viola was able to tailor her instruction towards each of the girls strengths and weaknesses. I can say without fail that we will continue to work with Coach Viola.

Coach Tim Villies
Ohio Hawks 00

 

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I haven't posted on here for a long time....until today! This is my 2nd post today and this is a great topic! Ali Viola is a gem and I have known her and trusted her with kids since she moved to Ohio. I coach for a High School (Central Crossing) and a Travel Organization (Beverly Bandits) and recommend any kid who ask about hitting to Ali Viola. Someone has already posted her accomplishments as a player and referenced her coaching history so I won't go into that. After several years of giving weekly hitting lessons out of my barn (Barnies!) she has opened her own facility named Make the Team in Groveport. She appropriately named the facility after a conversation with a player who had told her she was coming to hitting so she could "make the team". There are several other hitting coaches in the area who are good, but I have always used Ali. She is one of the few female instructors who has played and performed at the highest level in some of Softball's biggest contest. She knows the recruiting network (and hazards) and willingly shares her expertise. Not only is she a great instructor in power hitting, slapping and defensive play, she is a great role model and mentor to many young players. I am glad that Ali is staying in the area and helping us coaches improve the skills of kids playing the game!

Rona Dorsey
CCHS
Beverly Bandits, Ohio 18G

 

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I will add to what coach Tim said about Ali.....almost every one of my players has worked with her and Alicia Herron (when she was there) for the last few months. The improvement I am seeing in the girls has been fantastic. Ali has a knack for communicating with the girls, and explaining the goal and mechanics of the swing in a manner than the players can understand. She is highly enthusiastic, and unlike most of us coaches, she has actually played this game herself. She, she has literally walked the walk. I have a ton of respect for her and wish her the best success in her teaching career.
Chris Zaker
Ohio Glory '01