Customer Reviews

The Pitching Edge

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Former major league player and coach Tom House's work is a guide for both pitchers and pitching coaches alike. He explains why a different pitch only effects a change in neuromuscular sequencing for the forearm, wrist, elbow and fingers and that is only a change in the angle. The different angles of the forearm, wrist, hand and fingers alter the speed, spin and path of the pitch (velocity, rotation and flight). The angle is more important than the actual grip in effecting the pitch as every pitch leaves the middle finger last. The ideal book on velocity and rotation optimization.

Tom House combines science and experience to develop a pitching technique that minimizes arm injuries and maximizes an individual's strength. Debunks several commonly taught techniques while showing optimum throwing position. Taught myself how to pitch AFTER pitching in college and wanted to learn "correct" way to teach my sons how to pitch!

A FEW YEARS AGO I MOVED DOWN TO THE LITTLE LEAGUE LEVEL. THAT FIRST YEAR I LOST ALL MY GAMES. I FELT TERRIBLE. I TAUGHT THE PLAYERS EVERYTHING I COULD ABOUT DEFENSE AND HITTING. I REALIZED THAT AT THE LITTLE LEAGUE LEVEL MORE TIME SHOULD BE SPENT ON PITCHING. I LOOKED FOR HELP AND FOUND TOM HOUSE'S BOOK THE PITCHING EDGE. THE FOLLOWING YEAR AND THIS LAST YEAR I MADE IT TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP AFTER COMING IN LAST THAT FIRST YEAR. I'VE PLAYED BASEBALL FOR YEARS AND PITCHED, BUT THIS BOOK ALSO SHOWED ME NOT HOW BUT WHY. THIS IS WHAT MADE THE DIFFERENCE. I UNDERSTOOD WHY AND THEN THEY UNDERSTOOD WHY THE BODY MUST MOVE IN CERTAIN WAYS. HIGHLY RECOMENDED.

Tom House first breaks down the mechanics of pitching into frames and/or steps. He illustrates what is happening to the legs, torso, head and arms (what both arms are doing is important) at each step. Tom presents all of this in a simple, understandable manner. No scientific mumbo jumbo. Even a Father whose last baseball was high school 35 years ago can understand how to help their young pitcher.

Dr. House has updated the book and video based on kinetic computer studies showing that the glove hand does not "drive" down on the good pitchers. I reccommend both the book and video together as each complements the other.

This is absolutely essential reading. This book represents a new generation of thinking about sporting biomechanics that is scientifically based. Although some of the old pearls of wisdom based on intuition have been confirmed to some degree, too many past teachings handed down by word of mouth seem like old wives' tales. In fact things such the glove arm driving down are worse than old wives' tales because they can lead to excessive stress on the pitching arm, and so will lead to injury. From now on the critical pitcher will demand that any hypothesis about pitching mechanics be scientifically proven to be safe and sound rather than uncritically swollowing any old snake oil that could lead to a devastating career ending injury.
It should be bourne in mind that the language used is also scientifically exacting such that many younger readers may encounter difficulty. A glossary of terms such as "supination" and "pronation" needs to be provided in a future edition. This is really serious reading for the serious player and coach to be read again and again.

I wish this book was around when I was pitching in high school and college. It would have helped me in countless ways (better fundamentals, skill work, and specific exercises for pitchers). Now I'm 44 and pitching in an over 40 league!

If you are in high school or older I highly recommend this book. Dad, it would be good for you to read and then use it to teach a younger baseball player. If you are a high school or college coach, you OWE it to your kids to read this and help them.

Good Luck.

House did not write this book for Little League coaches who want to help their kids. It is loaded with hyper-technical jargon that House does not explain and won't make sense to experienced players and coaches. For example, in a section on how to pitch off a mound, House states, "A pitcher must find and keep an upper body spine-to-hip relationship with a constant angle of flex in posting knee at front leg lift, stride and landing -- directing upper body into torso rotation and launch of a baseball." What? His science may be correct, but you won't benefit from this book because House does not translate the science into common sense terms that ballplayers will understand.

The pitching edge is a very good book for pitching coaches and high school-collegiate athletes. Tom uses a lot of material that might be to complex for younger readers. Tom does a great job in research and describes and shows why and how to use proper pitching mechanics. He also decribes how to use different cycles for different pitchers and this would help the inexperienced pitching coach.

Tom House covers everything in this book. From strength training to mental training. This is the best book to buy if you are interested in improving Your pitching. The book is a great help for both the pitcher and the coach. I made my league's All-Star team thanks to this book.

If you're just starting to pitch or have been pitching for years this book is defiantly for you. This book defiantly answered some of the questions that I had about pitching. My arm had been hurting early in the season for about the past three years. As I was reading I came upon a section that told you how to take care of your arm but, it also told you how to make it stronger in the off season. If you're having trouble getting guys out on a 0-2 pitch they give new pitches to try.
The person that wrote this book, Tom House, is defiantly in front of his time when it comes to pitching. He was a major league pitching coach for a number of years, so you know that it's going to be valuable things that you're learning. One of the best things that I liked about this book is that it had major leaguers telling their experiences with the book and that it actually helped their pitching game.
In this book it doesn't just tell you how to keep your arm in shape or throwing new pitches. It also teaches you how to make your arm stronger so you can get more velocity on your fastball. It gives you about 25 different lifts with dumb bells that work your rotator cuff. It also gives you stretches that can make your arm much more limber so you can get more velocity on your ball.
I really like this book and I think that it's is perfect for all pitching ages. I liked it because it gave major league advice. It was a book written by a very respectable pitching coach that defiantly knows his stuff. You know that when you pick up this book you are going to get very valuable information. I know that if I ever have a question about pitching then I know where to look.