Customer Reviews

The Act of Pitching: A Tutorial for All Levels by a Master Technician-Detailing Every Aspect of Pitching

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have read/watched dozens of books and DVDs and attended several clinics in my quest to help my sons become better pitchers. This is far and away the most comprehensive pitching instruction I have ever seen. I was amazed at how thick this book was when it arrived - almost 400 pages, with hundreds of pictures. Dr. Bagonzi explains everthing in great detail. I have never seen anyone spend as much time on the finer details of pitching grips, for example. But all the information in usable - the author does a very good job of explaining things clearly and concisely. I never felt as if I was lost in minutia, as I have with other instructional materials.

It is very easy to spend hundreds of dollars on one-or-another guru's pitching instruction program. I know - I have done it myself. And while I think some of these programs are worth every penny, at under $20, there is NOTHING that can beat the value of this book.

One caveat: if you happen to be in the camp that believes long toss, weighted balls, strength training, pushing off the rubber, etc. are bad, then you will probably disagree with much of what the author has to say. Although he has been around a while, Dr. Bagonzi is on the leading edge of such techniques and training concepts, and is a big proponent of some ideas that a few people may find controversial. I personally have had great success with these techniques, and see only a couple hold outs among the contemporary pitching "gurus" who disagree. However, fair warning if you happen to be one of them (or one of their disciples). By the way, Dr. Bagonzi recognizes these areas of controversy, and is very respectful of those who might disagree.

Bottom line recommendation: if you only buy one pitching program, make it this book.

I have an eighth grader that has been helped, and will continue to be helped, by this comprehensive guide for pitchers. It is a book that can be read cover to cover, or used as a reference book where you just take the information that is needed at the moment. Either way, the information is presented in a concise yet complete way. I highly recommend this guide.

The best pitching book I've read. It covers in detail all aspects of pitching and provides excellent photos and text descriptions. A book that can be applied to all age groups and levels from little league to the pros. Covers left and right handed pitching with grips, diagrams and exercises for pitching and conditioning. As thorough and complete a book on pitching as one would want. It leaves no question or concept about pitching unanswered.

This book should be mandatory reading for any coach who is going to impact a pitcher's throwing abilities. This book breaks down pitcher's mechanics and it's not just a pass over look. They're really stressed to 1) help avoid injury and to 2)maximize performance. Mental attitude needed to play the game, along with strength and conditioning, and so much more. It would be ideal for young men, whether a pitcher or fielder, to read and to see the exercises created to improve or adjust different parts of the throwing process.

If you need a book to to identify elements of being a pitcher and to also visually identify them too.... this book is for you!

I have coached pitchers for nearly 40 years. I have coached kids as young as Little League age to college-age pitchers and this is the best single book I have read on the subject of pitching. It is written in language nearly anyone can understand, something that can't be said about many of the pitching books out there. I have recommended it to other coaches, players, parents of aspiring pitchers and those just interested in learning more about the act of pitching. The author correctly (in my opinion) warns about some of the dangers of weighted-balls and other "gimmick" programs out there as some of those programs can involve an unnecessarily high risk of injury. If Dr. Bagonzi's instructions are followed, the only thing needed for a good deal of success as a pitcher, is putting in the necessary hours (years?) of practice. I just wish this book had been available when I started coaching.

it would be great if this master motivator could coach you in person but if you want to be better than you thought possible then this book is a must. Mr Bagonzi is a ferocious competitor but he also believes in fair play too and he is the best coach the state of NH ever produced and is only coach/athlete from NH to be in Natl HS Hall of Fame. I think if he had not had a family and was willing to travel then i have no doubt he wouldve been at least a MLB pitching coach or manager, as it was BC offered him their basketball head coaching job in 1977 which he turned down. I know the Red Sox have stressed hitting over the decades thanks in part to Ted Williams, but if a big time pitching coach like John Bagonzi had been sox mgr in late 60s, 70s and 80s then we wouldve had a World Series title long before 2004.

Great drills to teach proper form. Shows correct form and incorrect form. Discussion and photos of how to develop a live fastball worth the price alone.

THis book was sent to a 13 yr old boy in Japan who is a pitcher and very much into the sport. He loved the book and enjoyed it very much

excellent book.

add a few real-time and slo-mo videoes from various websites on pitchers
mechanics, and you can really teach good mechanics to younger players.

I read positive reviews of this book so I bought it. The beginning is really wordy and I skipped it until I got the the real pitching information. The introduction could be edited out. The rest of the book has great info.