Professional hitting coach
Rick Strickland
Professional hitting coach · Founder of Catching Barrels
Catching Barrels · 63129 · Baseball
Founder, Catching Barrels (catchingbarrels.io)
Starting Price
$297.00
Credentials
Professional hitting coachFounder, Catching Barrels (catchingbarrels.io)
Highlights
- Remote swing coaching with high-clarity video review and motion analysis when needed
- Works with competitive hitters who want organized intention over tip lists
Teaching Philosophy
Everything starts from intention and organization, not from collecting cues. I look at how the swing loads, transfers, and delivers — ground and rear leg into the pelvis, through the torso, out to the hands and bat. The pelvis is the gearbox: what enters it and what comes out both matter. I keep feedback tight: usually two coaching cues max, plus what to train next. Misses, fouls, and barrels in the same session tell the truth better than only the best swings. Prefer a tight open-side camera (lead side visible, feet-to-bat filling the frame). Center-field can help discovery; side-angle is the coaching surface.
About the coach
I’m Rick Strickland, a professional hitting coach and the founder of Catching Barrels. I help hitters organize the swing around a stable offensive intention — not tip-chasing — so contact gets louder and more repeatable.
Start with the $297 Offseason Swing Check before deciding whether the $1,500 Training Block is right for you.
Catching Barrels is built around clear video coaching: you send swings, we read what organizes and what breaks, and you get a small number of cues you can actually train. When deeper timing and body detail matter, we run select swings through our motion pipeline and turn that into plain-language coaching — not a data dump.
Online lessons on Skillest are for hitters who want honest feedback and a next-week plan.
Specialities
hitting
Reviews
No reviews yet
Purchase Options
Offseason Swing Check
1 Online Lesson- Offseason Swing Check — $297
- Send your swings. I’ll find the first problem that matters — and tell you straight whether a Training Block is the right next step.
- This is not a free look. Not a full winter plan. One paid assessment with a major league hitting coach (Cardinals, Rangers, Cubs, Orioles).
- You get:
- • A clear read on what’s organizing (or disorganizing) the swing
- • One priority to train — not a tip pile
- • A straight yes/no on whether a 12-week Training Block fits
- FAQ
- What is it?
- A paid diagnosis. You send swings. I name the first problem that matters and tell you whether Training Block is next.
- What is it not?
- Not free. Not a full winter plan. Not a private retainer. Not a Zoom-dependent live lesson.
- How is this different from the $1,500 Training Block?
- Swing Check = diagnose and decide.
- Training Block = 12 weeks to train the priority (cap 30, first come first served; winter Saturday lane on Skillest).
- Who is this for?
- Hitters done collecting cues who want a real starting point before they spend a winter.
- Do I need special tech?
- Phone video is fine if you follow the camera setup below. Side view matters more than fancy gear.
- Camera setup — how to film
- Goal: one clean open-side view I can actually diagnose.
- 1. Angle: open side / full side profile (belt buckle toward camera).
- 2. Frame: feet to helmet; don’t crop the bat tip at contact if you can help it.
- 3. Distance: full body + bat in frame; close enough to see posture.
- 4. Height: waist-to-chest height, not on the ground looking up.
- 5. Speed: 60 fps or higher if your phone allows (note it if you’re stuck at 30).
- 6. Light: face the light; avoid silhouette backlighting.
- 7. Swings: short set of normal-effort swings (tee / front toss / flips fine). Don’t only send a “demo” swing.
- 8. Upload through Skillest after purchase.
- FAQ — Offseason Swing Check ($297)
- What is it?
- A paid diagnosis. You send swings. I find the first problem that matters and tell you whether a 12-week Training Block is the right next step.
- What do I get?
- • Clear read on what’s organizing (or disorganizing) the swing
- • One priority to train — not a tip pile
- • Straight yes/no on Training Block fit
- What is it not?
- Not a free look. Not a full winter plan. Not a private retainer. Not a Zoom-dependent live lesson.
- How is this different from the $1,500 Training Block?
- Swing Check = diagnose and decide.
- Training Block = 12 weeks to train the priority (cap 30, first come first served; winter Saturday lane on Skillest).
- Who is this for?
- Hitters who are done collecting cues and want a real starting point before they spend a winter.
- How fast do I hear back?
- Usually within a few days once usable video lands.
- Do I need special tech?
- Phone video is fine if you follow the camera setup below. Side view matters more than fancy gear.
- Can high school / college / pros buy this?
- Yes. Same Swing Check price.
- ---
- How to film your Offseason Swing Check
- Goal: One clean open-side view I can actually diagnose.
- 1. Angle: Open side — stand so I see your full side profile, belt buckle to the camera.
- 2. Frame: Feet to helmet in frame. Don’t crop the bat tip at contact if you can help it.
- 3. Distance: Far enough that full body + bat fit; close enough I can see posture.
- 4. Height: Camera near waist-to-chest height, not on the ground looking up.
- 5. Speed: 60 fps or higher if your phone allows. 30 fps is a last resort — note it when you send.
- 6. Light: Face a light source; avoid backlighting that silhouettes you.
- 7. Pitches / swings: Send a short set of normal-effort swings (tee, front toss, or flips are fine). Don’t only send your “demo” swing.
- 8. Upload: Use Skillest after purchase (https://skillest.com/@coachrickp).
- Quick fail checks
- • Only front view → redo side
- • Only waist-up → redo full body
- • Shaky handheld walking around → prop the phone
- Quick fails: front-only view → redo side. Waist-up only → redo full body. Walking handheld → prop the phone.
- Book: https://skillest.com/@coachrickp
Frequently asked questions
What is an online baseball lesson?
An online baseball lesson is a way of learning baseball skills and techniques from a coach or instructor through the internet, using video analysis, live coaching, or online courses. On Skillest, you can get private instruction with an elite baseball coach without even leaving your home. Simply record your baseball performance—be it pitching, batting, or fielding—and send it to your coach along with any goals, questions, or details that will help tailor the perfect training plan for you.
What are the benefits of an online lesson using Skillest?
Online golf lessons using Skillest offer many benefits, such as convenience, affordability, flexibility, and access to the largest selection of the most talented golf coaches in one place. Through video recordings, side by side comparisons, and conversations you have with your coach, you will receive comprehensive feedback on what you need to improve and how to improve these areas. When you get a lesson on Skillest, you don’t need to schedule a time or drive to your lesson. You can just record your swing and message your coach whenever you have questions.
How do I receive feedback from my coach?
You will receive feedback from your coach through the Skillest app. Your coach will record their own videos with their analysis as well as additional drills to work on and send them back to you inside the lesson. You can watch your coach’s analysis, which may include video, audio, text, or drawings and see the changes and improvements they suggest for your swing. You can also ask your coach follow-up questions you have, and chat with them through the app. You can also review your feedback and track your progress anytime on the app.
What are the different types of lesson plans I can purchase?
Skillest offers a variety of plans and packages available for purchase. You can purchase a single online lesson, lesson packages, monthly subscriptions, or live Zoom lessons. Many coaches also offer video-based courses in addition to one-on-one coaching. Note: Not every coach will offer each type of lesson plan available.
What are Courses?
Courses are a series of instructional videos created by expert coaches that cover a wide range of sport-specific topics. Whether you're looking to refine your technique, master strategy, boost your fitness, or enhance your mental game, our courses are designed to help you excel in your chosen sport—be it golf, swimming, cricket, basketball, or baseball.