[Martee]

I like the drill. I have practiced hitting the ball with my eyes closed and discovered that I don't perform as well as I do with just the drill and no ball.

Balance is an essential and it is a function or a result of the pivot

I know that some of the pro's practice with their feet together and hit balls. This will usually tell you immediately by the unnatural feel that you don't have as good as balance as you thought you did.

Also I know the guys who developed the Whippy, have a number of drills and though they don't mention balance they are aimed at learning to pivot correctly which means to be in balance.

Eyes closed is a good drill. Nice write up, thanks