Customer Reviews

Pitching: The Keys to Excellence (Sports Illustrated Winner's Circle Books)

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

 

 

If you buy this book, keep a critical eye when reading it. Conditionning is under-covered (by far) which could be dangerous. Pitching strategy is fast-covered and won't help a young pitcher nor a coach establishing a systematic approach. Pitching mechanic seems uncomplete or contains erroneous descriptions. However, some pictures of feet-only position or different arm path types and release points are a (rare) great tool for aspiring pitchers. Pick-off description and pictures, pitcher fielding responsibilities are covered and well described, certainly not exhaustively. The asset of this book is its long coverage of the fastball and its good analyse of the curveball. The change-up philosophy is also well explained for a young pitcher. Hard to exploit, this book SOMETIMES complements with accuracy the easy-to-find-on-other-books information. An average book at a low price that can give a complement for high-school+ pitchers and coaches.

I think that this book is the most complete book about pitching that I have read. It covers the aspects of pitching better that any of the other books I have seen. The only part not written well is the section on conditioning. I thought Nolan Ryan's book did a better job on that aspect of pitching.

Although there is some useful information to be found in this book, I see it as the least helpful of the many books that I have read on developing proper pitching mechanics. I find far too many inconsistencies, omissions, inaccuracies, incomplete or erronious explanations, and unsubstantiated conclusions to be of much use to the aspiring athlete or the inexperienced coach. If young pitchers are serious about developing their potential, and if coaches are concerned about sending their players the right message, I believe that they would find books by Tom House, Joe McFarland, Bob Cluck, or Dick Mill's pitching letter much more helpful.

This book covers all phases of pitching. It starts with mechanics and ends with strategies. It includes conditioning, proper technique, dos and don'ts, and many words of encouragement to all who read it. I highly endorse it for everyone (both players and coaches at all levels) from the Little Leaguer right through to college.