Customer Reviews

The Softball Pitching Edge

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

 

 

Without a doubt, the finest book I have ever read dealing with the accurate approach for the fastpitch female pitcher. By follwing the detailed analysis that Cheri brings from her many years of experience, one can see the kinetic breakdown of the pitching motion in step by step form. I have picked up many ideas and pointers to use with my daughter, and I would highly recommend this book to anyone serious about the proper mechanics of fastpitch softball pitching.

Cheri Kempf has written a fine book for the established female pitcher. She also makes a few attempts to relate her wisdom to the coaching of the beginner, but that is where I find this book most lacking. My daughter just began pitching this year, and I'm really searching for something that gives instruction from day one. Kempf gives numerous drills that are wonderful for correcting mistakes in the established pitcher's form, but I just felt that it lacked the beginning steps that I was looking for.

While the book did correct a number of things that my daughter had been taught--like worrying about "opening the gate and closing the gate" with the hips, which Kempf says is worthless and can lead to knee injuries--I wanted more for the beginner. However, if you, your daughter or a girl you coach IS an established pitcher who is looking to correct bad habits, learn new pitches, learn how to mentally prepare for games and the like, I doubt there is a better book out there. It just didn't fill all of my needs.

One thing in an earlier review that I must comment on: why on Earth would someone criticize this book because there is a picture of Amanda Freed on the cover? There are also pictures of Michelle Smith and Lisa Fernandez within the book which are put there to give the reader an idea of correct form. Do I know what Kempf's connection is to any of these women? No, but I do know that those photos could not have been used without permission from each woman. The women concerned obviously don't have a problem with their likenesses being used in the book, so how could anyone else complain about it?

We love this book. We borrowed it from the library twice before finally purchasing. Its the best step by step coaching book we've found. What impressed me the most is that Kempf stresses proper mechanics long before the pitcher ever hits the mound. It gives drills and corrections to help insure good mechanics and safety first. We highly recommend this book to any aspiring pitcher!

"The Softball Pitching Edge" is simply the best Fastpitch softball pitching book, ever. The first four chapters ("Pre-Motion Presentation", "Feet and Legs", "Arms and Posture", and "Timing of the Motion") set the beginning pitcher (and her parents) on her way by detailing and developing sound mechanics. The rest of the book is a fantastic resource for the intermediate or advanced pitcher and any fastpitch softball coach, teaching the mechanics, grips and body position required for pitching the drop, the change-up, the rise, the curve, and the screwball. It concludes with a section titled "Five more Factors for Excellent Pitching" which cover the importance of the catcher, practice routines and game preparation, mental makeup, physical conditioning, and communication. In short, it covers anything that could possibly be required to instruct a Fastpitch softball pitcher.

There is so much that this book offers that it is difficult to narrow down exactly the one thing it does best. The chapters on mechanics go through every single part of the motion of a straight fastball pitch. Not only does it offer detailed explanations on the "why", but it also dispels common misconceptions about pitching. One example is why the adage "open the door, close the door" is the wrong approach for pitchers. I have heard "open the door, close the door" since I started coaching, but I am now convinced that the author is correct, and will incorporate this knowledge into my own teaching.

Each chapter has multiple drills that reinforce the correct mechanics discussed. Even more helpful are the "Catching Common Errors" sub-chapters, which help a coach diagnose problems and identify which drills will help correct those problems. There are also hundreds of detailed pictures so that the reader can see and understand each and every movement and grip.

This is also one of the few softball books I have seen that advocates the use of videoing practice. Better yet, this is the only softball book that I know of that shows you exactly how to conduct a video analysis of a pitcher. This book is worth every penny just for this information alone (pages 52 to 54).

Finally, it not only teaches the mechanics of pitching, but also how to pitch -- specifically how to locate pitches inside and outside the strike zone, where the catcher should be positioned, and the movement one can expect on various different pitches. This is invaluable information for pitchers, catchers, and coaches alike.

"The Softball Pitching Edge" is a must-buy if you are a Fastpitch softball coach at any level, a parent of a pitcher at any but the highest level, or a pitcher herself who wants to get better.

This is an excellent resource for the serious softball pitcher. Everything in it is useful and well written. Mostly geared toward High Scool age pitchers, but all ages could benifit from it.

This is by far the best resource for learning the mechanics of windmill pitching. It's great for beginners and advanced pitchers.

My daughter is now a junior in high school and has been going to a pitching coach for 2 years (ie dad'd off the hook). But before that I must have invested $100 in videos and found them of little use. My experience was that pitching videos did little because they were too much in a short period of time. Teaching a kid to pitch must be done in small, bite size, pieces. This is exactly what Kempf's book does, with the chapter set up to do small things at a time ... combining to ultimatly build the pitcher. Cheri does nothing fancy or with gimicks ... just plain instruction. This book will not magically make your daughter a pitcher, but will provide the basic fundementals that with hard work, make her effective pitcher.

Book was received in excellent condition. It is the book that I needed. I was self-taught softball pitcher in the late 1950's. I attend a number of college games each year. I was interested in reading about the correct techniques from a former pitcher and current trainer.

I picked up this book to help my young, aspiring pitching daughter. There are excellent fundamental drill which will hep her in the earlier years and continue as she progresses. Part two has all sorts of off-speed pitches and curves which will ad to anyones arsenal. The book is well written and easy to understand.

Why do you feature Amanda Freed on your cover? Did she contribute to this book? Are you her coach?