The Pitching Edge

Part I provides clear and detailed information and drills for developing and improving pitching techniques, from initial set up through the post-follow-through. Pitcher-specific training is covered in Part II, with special exercises and instructions for throwing arm maintenance, recovering and preparing physically between starts and relief appearances, and staying in great shape and injury-free throughout the long competitive season. Part III delves into the winning pitcher's mindset, emphasizing both mental toughness and smart strategic decisions to come out on top in key games and over the course of a season.

Learn from a master pitching coach whose methods have been proven successful and are now widely used from Little League to the Major Leagues, from the United States to Japan. With this book, you will truly have The Pitching Edge.

I found that some of the language in the book to be loosely used and obtuse. Therefore I doubt that a young reader would get everything the book has to offer. However, especially when used in conjunction with the companion video, this book is a great springboard for the young pitcher when guided by an adult. (See my review of the video for more detail)

One qualifier is required. House does not agree that young pitchers should be restricted from throwing breaking pitches. That was against convention when the book was released 10 years ago and convention has not changed. For further reference you could check the USABaseball web site for a great positon paper. Simply add (slash)med_position_statement(dot)html to the root url to see the page. These athletes are at beginning of their pro careers and this statement is about how to get them to this state.
I give my ranking about all the other items in the book exclusive of the breaking pitch advice for youth pitchers. I have not allowed my young pitcher to start throwing those types of pitches for fear of arm injury.


Good for older readers   April 10, 2002
 6 out of 6 found this review helpful

I wish this book was around when I was pitching in high school and college. It would have helped me in countless ways (better fundamentals, skill work, and specific exercises for pitchers). Now I'm 44 and pitching in an over 40 league!

If you are in high school or older I highly recommend this book. Dad, it would be good for you to read and then use it to teach a younger baseball player. If you are a high school or college coach, you OWE it to your kids to read this and help them.

Good Luck.


The Pitching Edge by Tom House   March 16, 2002
 9 out of 10 found this review helpful

House did not write this book for Little League coaches who want to help their kids. It is loaded with hyper-technical jargon that House does not explain and won't make sense to experienced players and coaches. For example, in a section on how to pitch off a mound, House states, "A pitcher must find and keep an upper body spine-to-hip relationship with a constant angle of flex in posting knee at front leg lift, stride and landing -- directing upper body into torso rotation and launch of a baseball." What? His science may be correct, but you won't benefit from this book because House does not translate the science into common sense terms that ballplayers will understand.