The Pitching Edge

by Tom House

Book Overview

In modern baseball, the best pitchers are those who master both the art and science of the position. Nolan Ryan, Randy Johnson, and Kevin Brown are among the many greats who developed this mastery with the help of pitching coach Tom House. Now, in The Pitching Edge, House offers you his special instruction and insight into the mechanics, conditioning, and psychology for superior pitching performance.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0873225031
• ISBN13: 9780873225038
• Release Date: January 1993
• Publisher: Human Kinetics Publishers
• Length: 168 Pages
• Weight: 1.11 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 8.7" x 11.0"

Customer Reviews

Absolutely essential reading

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.

FROM BOTTOM TO THE TOP

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.

Most objective book I've ever read on pitching techniques

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!

One of the simplest, yet insightful analysis of mechanics

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.

The definite book on throwing technique.

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.