Saving the Pitcher: Preventing Pitcher Injuries in Modern Baseball (Hardcover)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: pitching statistics, ideal motion, pitch count, Perfection Percentage, Tom House, Tommy John (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"There's a kid...who could be as good as Mark Prior...and I want that kid to have a chance." -- Will Carroll in Ace Fitness Matters Magazine

...A must read for anyone who wants solidly researched data from an impartial baseball thinker. -- Dr. Tom House, National Pitching Association

...Invaluable to fathers and coaches who are preparing young pitchers for professional careers… -- Alex Belth, “Bronx Banter”

Carroll has brought to the average baseball fan the medical information and analysis that was once reserved for trainers... -- Keith Law, Toronto Blue Jays

For those who missed Will Carroll's Saving the Pitcher... shame on you. -- ESPN.com, Peter Gammons

Here's a useful book for Little Leaguers and their parents… -- Detroit News

Innovative and useful.... Will nails it in this book, as he always does. -- Jamey Newberg, The Newberg Minor League Report

Provides a detailed, in-depth analysis…. This is no casual survey…. Grounded in much research. -- The Bookwatch

The book's greatest value is to the parents of young pitchers whose coaches view 180-pitch outings as character-building. -- USA Today

…This book...will improve the game of baseball for all who play and watch...wonderful combination of entertainment and education. -- Glenn Fleisig, Ph.D., American Sports Medicine Institute

Product Description

A revolutionary analysis of pitching injuries and how to prevent them, addressing all aspects of pitcher injuries, workload, mechanics, abuse, and, most important, injury prevention. Information from doctors, trainers, coaches, pitchers, biomechanical experts, and researchers make this the first complete book on pitcher health. Saving the Pitcher is a must read for anyone who wants solidly researched data from an impartial baseball thinker....It is the right book, by the right guy, for the right reason, at the right time. --Dr. Tom House, National Pitching Association.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 212 pages
• Publisher: Ivan R. Dee, Publisher; illustrated edition edition (June 25, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566635780
• ISBN-13: 978-1566635783
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #790,426 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The first of its kind, May 31, 2004

By	Anthony Passaretti (Long Island, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Anyone who has read Will Carroll's work for Baseball Prospectus or even his weblog has learned more about injuries from him than from every baseball broadcast combined. Unfortunately, he is baseball's only "medhead" so it will take some time to spread the knowledge. Writing a book is the first step.

"Saving The Pitcher" finally gives us a starting point for discussing injuries. It breaks down every component of the pitching motion--that is, what each body part contributes to the motion and proper technique for doing so. Carroll also informs us of what contributes to injuries, warning signs (velocity loss=shoulder; control loss=elbow) and the right training and exercise programs.

While STP is well written, it sometimes reads as a textbook. Although, when you think about it, it really is a textbook of sorts. That isn't to say it's like taking a biology class; Carroll's enthusiasm for baseball shines through to make the book quite enjoyable.

I also would have liked it if he went more in-depth on V-Loss. I suppose he wants to gather more data on it first before formally presenting it, perhaps in a book of its own.

That quibble aside, STP is a great book. Baseball fans should check it out, and every professional, college, high school, and (most importantly) Little League coach should be mandated to read it before being allowed near a young pitcher. Hopefully this is the first of many more volumes from Will Carroll.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Essential Primer on Pitching Health, July 16, 2004

By	Robert Varak - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Mr. Carroll does a marvelous job assembling and disseminating the evolving body of knowledge on this topic in a manner which is accessible and engaging. Contrary to the statements made by another recent reviewer, Mr. Carroll _does_ have a background in sports medicine. He relies up on this, but never loses sight of his audience.

This book is invaluable reading for both experts and neophytes alike. Few areas are more misunderstood than the health and training of pitchers, and knowledge of and adherence to the principles espoused by Carroll and his subjects would go a long way toward improving pitchers' health and the overall quality of baseball.

If you love baseball, read it.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, Important if Technical read on Pitching, May 16, 2005

By	Adam Strasberg (Washington, DC United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have to say I found this book griping. It was well written and as odd as this might sound, I found it hard to put down.

Will Carroll while not a medical professional is the top writer in the field of baseball injuries, writing both for "Under the Knife" for Baseball Prospectus website and his own blog The Juice. He makes it his business to know and understand baseball injuries and has a style that explains very complicated medical issues to lay people like myself.

This book makes a fascinating read, and I would highly recommend it for baseball fans (anyone interested in learning more about the game within the game), parents of young pitchers or anyone involved in the teaching of baseball skills.