Coaching Pitchers (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"

”Coaching Pitchers is a great learning tool for both pitchers and coaches, from Little League to college ball. If you pitch or coach pitchers, try the ideas of a truly dedicated pitching coach who has worked long and hard at his job and his love.”

Kevin Brown
Los Angeles Dodgers

""This book is an excellent example of why Spanky McFarland is one of the best coaches in the country. If you want to elevate your pitchers and pitching staff, this book is a must!""

Rocky P. Manuel
Head baseball coach
Bellaire High School, Houston, Texas

”Spanky has worked to become one of the finest instructors in pitching fundamentals, mental preparation, and injury prevention as well as the other parts of pitching. This book will benefit any player or coach who wants to better himself on all phases of pitching.""

Smoke Laval
Head baseball coach
Louisiana State University

""Spanky is one of the most knowledgeable pitching coaches in baseball. You can get all the ins and outs of how to become a better pitcher in his new book. Learn how to win from one of the best.""

Jim Morris
Head baseball coach
University of Miami

From Collegiate Baseball
""One of the classic books ever written on the subject of pitching is Coaching Pitchers by Joe “Spanky” McFarland. Considered one of the gurus of pitching, McFarland's book is a timeless treasure for pitchers and pitching coaches which was first copyrighted in 1985.

From Scholastic Coach & Athletic Director
""Spanky covers the entire waterfront graphically and knowingly...

" --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Description

Coaching Pitchers is a complete coach's guide to pitching for youth, junior high, high school, and college baseball. Written by a nationally recognized collegiate coach who has coached three teams to NCAA playoffs and who has sent 37 pitchers on to play professionally, this book covers the mechanical, physical, and mental aspects of pitching. Coaching psychology and strategy are also discussed in detail to help you produce successful pitchers and prepare them for successful careers.

In this second edition, Joe "Spanky" McFarland builds upon the principles presented in his first edition. He includes an all-new organization, 240 accurately detailed illustrations, and substantially expanded and updated chapters on

• fitness training;
• proper mechanics--footwork, hip rotation, stride, arm motion;
• appropriate pitches for each age level;
• strategy; and
• defensive responsibilities.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 133 pages
• Publisher: Human Kinetics Publishers; 2nd edition (January 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0880113685
• ISBN-13: 978-0880113687
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,057,373 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most ingenious book ever devised for coaches/pitchers., January 9, 1999

By A Customer

Spanky MacFarland has devised an excellent book for secondary level coaches and players. While this book emphasizes techniques and drills directed more toward older players (teenagers or older), it also provides the most mechanically sound, descriptive, and understandable information I have yet to see for this subject. Excellent sketches show proper techniques and motions to eliminate the ambiguity of text-only documentation. I advise any upper-level coach or player to purchase this book.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fundamentaly sound pitching instruction!, June 8, 2000

By A Customer

Coaching Pitchers is well written, easy to read and understand, and provides a wealth of how to teach your pitchers the proper fundamentals of pitching. This book is well worth the price and needs to be read by EVERY youth coach. The techniques, drills and suggestions are well documented with illustrations and diagrams.If you only buy one book this year, get this one!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the best instruction for coaches that I've found, June 30, 1998

By A Customer

This book covers the fundementals in a way that makes them clearly understood. Coaches will not only be able to instruct young pitchers in the proper fundementals, but will be able to easily and quickly recognize good and bad pitching form. It's well worth the money.