Tom House • Paul Nyman • Dick Mills • Dr. Mike Marshall • Steve Ellis • Ron Wolforth

Any thoughts? Has anyone done their homework?

 

I've listened to Tom House on two occassions and liked what I learned, and the crowd was pitchers and coaches and their reaction was very favorable. My son's not a pitcher so I can't help you sort out the differences as I only know of Dick Mills from his website.

 

My son has worked extensively with Tom House over the last several years and frequently volunteers his appreciation for what Tom has done for him. As late as last week, he was serving as an instructor in Tom's clinic in San Diego and working out with him as a means of "fine tuning" before the college season starts.

My sense of Tom is that he is one of those rare individuals who is absolutely passionate about his chosen field; and, along with that, is committed to surrounding himself with the best people he can. It is their collective goal to learn as much about the process of pitching as they can; and, as a result, Tom's approach is one of constant refinement based upon their continuing analysis.

It is Tom's contention that as he and others become more astute about the "science" of pitching, their knowledge and methods converge. As a result, I've heard him praise the approach of most, if not all, of the others you mention.

 

IMO, the first, and the last on the list qualify as students, as well as teachers. I find it encouraging that someone in their position is still eager to learn, and alter their teachings if they feel it will benefit the student. Nyman is not so much a pitching guy as he is a "throwing" guy, of which he is very knowledgable. Mike Marshall is PhD. type reading, therfore not very interesting to many kids I would guess. Don't know much about the others. Oh yeah, Nyman,Marshall, and Mills seem to like to bash some of the other guys, as well as each other. House, and Wolforth credit the others when they incorporate any of their stuff into their teachings.

 

Tom House

In January of 2003 my son got the opportunity to work with Tom House and about 25 other pitching prospects at Hopewell High in Huntersville NC. The three day camp was extremly well organized and concentrated on mechanics, drills, proper arm slots positions, mental prep, body development and the college selection process. This was by far the best pitching camp my son ever attended. The most important thing that my son and I got from Tom House is a one on one evaluation period, that Tom was more than willing to do. Mr. House preformed several simple test on my son's shoulders, arms, back and legs to evaluate where he was from a developmental stand point, ("Being Hooked Up" in Tom words). He told my son that although he had solid mechanics and good size, (6'4" 170lbs) he would more than likely not be recruited as a division one pitcher. As you can imagine my son had a heart broken look on his face. Mr. House next words where "but that dosen't mean you can't be a big league pitcher". He went on to tell my son how he was what was called a physical late bloomer and that many of the pitcher in the major leagues did not go to division one schools. He told us that his body would not mature until his late teens or early twenties and because of that many coaches would not see the upside of this tall skinny kid. He suggested that my son beleive in his abilities and work hard on his body with a good strength and conditioning coach. He also told us that my son would get looks from division 2 & 3 program because of his size and mechanics. He recomened going to a school that had a pitching coach with at least minor league experince and one that he would have a real chance of playing early and often at. My son has worked hard on his body over the last three years and is just now starting to get muscle mass on him, (6'6" and 210 lbs) True to Tom words My son did not get the opportunity to through one pitch in high school but was recurited by over ten division 2 & 3 schools as a pitcher. Following so good advice for Mr. House my son is now a freshman at Greenboro College and living his dream of pitching at the next level. I have nothing but the upmost respect for Tom House because he took the time to evaluate and educate my son in an effort to truely help him relize his baseball dreams. Thanks Tom House!!!

 

A great testimonial...and how terrific for your son, highntight!!

It also reminds me of a valuable characteristic of Tom's: that he feels obligated to tell a pitcher exactly what he thinks. He tells them up front: "You're not paying me to tell you what you want to hear. I'm here to make you better, and that requires the truth."

 

I think that Dr. Mike Marshall is the most important pitching instructor in America today. I say that because he has been doing primary scientific research on the pitching motion since the 1960's. His goal is to eliminate pitching arm injuries by developing a pitching motion and training program that allows pitchers to pitch effectively at all levels without injuring their arms. He has developed the new pitching motion and training program and is now making that information available to the general public through his website, videos, and pitching school in Florida.

Within 5 to 10 years his research and teachings will cause a sea change in baseball pitching similar to what the Fosbury Flop did to high jumping in the late 1960's.