The Softball Pitching Edge Summary and Reviews

The Softball Pitching Edge
by Cheri Kempf

The Softball Pitching Edge
List Price: $19.95
Buy Used: from $12.41 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions

Book Summary Information

Author: Cheri Kempf
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2002-03-21
ISBN: 0736038256
Number of pages: 192
Publisher: Human Kinetics
Product features:

Book Reviews of The Softball Pitching Edge

Book Review: Simply the best Fastpitch Softball pitching reference, ever
Summary: 5 Stars

"The Softball Pitching Edge" is simply the best Fastpitch softball pitching book, ever. The first four chapters ("Pre-Motion Presentation", "Feet and Legs", "Arms and Posture", and "Timing of the Motion") set the beginning pitcher (and her parents) on her way by detailing and developing sound mechanics. The rest of the book is a fantastic resource for the intermediate or advanced pitcher and any fastpitch softball coach, teaching the mechanics, grips and body position required for pitching the drop, the change-up, the rise, the curve, and the screwball. It concludes with a section titled "Five more Factors for Excellent Pitching" which cover the importance of the catcher, practice routines and game preparation, mental makeup, physical conditioning, and communication. In short, it covers anything that could possibly be required to instruct a Fastpitch softball pitcher.

There is so much that this book offers that it is difficult to narrow down exactly the one thing it does best. The chapters on mechanics go through every single part of the motion of a straight fastball pitch. Not only does it offer detailed explanations on the "why", but it also dispels common misconceptions about pitching. One example is why the adage "open the door, close the door" is the wrong approach for pitchers. I have heard "open the door, close the door" since I started coaching, but I am now convinced that the author is correct, and will incorporate this knowledge into my own teaching.

Each chapter has multiple drills that reinforce the correct mechanics discussed. Even more helpful are the "Catching Common Errors" sub-chapters, which help a coach diagnose problems and identify which drills will help correct those problems. There are also hundreds of detailed pictures so that the reader can see and understand each and every movement and grip.

This is also one of the few softball books I have seen that advocates the use of videoing practice. Better yet, this is the only softball book that I know of that shows you exactly how to conduct a video analysis of a pitcher. This book is worth every penny just for this information alone (pages 52 to 54).

Finally, it not only teaches the mechanics of pitching, but also how to pitch -- specifically how to locate pitches inside and outside the strike zone, where the catcher should be positioned, and the movement one can expect on various different pitches. This is invaluable information for pitchers, catchers, and coaches alike.

"The Softball Pitching Edge" is a must-buy if you are a Fastpitch softball coach at any level, a parent of a pitcher at any but the highest level, or a pitcher herself who wants to get better.

Literature & Fiction Books

Book Subjects
Most talked about in Literature & Fiction Books
Help ImageHelp
by Kathryn Stockett
Putnam; Published: 2009; Paperback; Book
The Help ImageThe Help
by Kathryn Stockett
Amy Einhorn Books/Putnam; Published: 2009-02-10; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $10.00
Price in other shops: $24.95
By Reason of Insanity ImageBy Reason of Insanity
by Randy Singer
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.; Published: 2008-12-08; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.85
Price in other shops: $13.99
The Lost Symbol ImageThe Lost Symbol
by Dan Brown
Doubleday Books; Published: 2009-09-15; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $10.65
Price in other shops: $29.95
Blame: A Novel ImageBlame: A Novel
by Michelle Huneven
Farrar, Straus and Giroux; Published: 2009-09-01; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $12.50
Price in other shops: $25.00
Matters of the Heart ImageMatters of the Heart
by Danielle Steel
Delacorte Press; Published: 2009-06-02; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $1.49
Price in other shops: $27.00
You Better Not Cry: Stories for Christmas ImageYou Better Not Cry: Stories for Christmas
by Augusten Burroughs
St. Martin's Press; Published: 2009-10-27; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $11.87
Price in other shops: $21.99
Handle with Care: A Novel ImageHandle with Care: A Novel
by Jodi Picoult
Washington Square Press; Published: 2009-09-15; Paperback; Book
Best price: $9.27
Price in other shops: $16.00
Eating the Dinosaur ImageEating the Dinosaur
by Chuck Klosterman
Scribner; Published: 2009-10-20; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $14.15
Price in other shops: $25.00
Under the Dome: A Novel ImageUnder the Dome: A Novel
by Stephen King
Scribner; Published: 2009-11-10; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $14.20
Price in other shops: $35.00
Similar books summaries and other product reviews
Coaching Softball Technical & Tactical Skills ImageCoaching Softball Technical & Tactical Skills
by ASEP
Human Kinetics; Published: 2008-12-22; Paperback; Book
Best price: $12.70
Price in other shops: $19.95
101 Offensive Softball Drills Image101 Offensive Softball Drills
by Sue Enquist, James A. Peterson
Coaches Choice; Published: 2001-07-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $15.34
Price in other shops: $19.95
A Guide for Young Softball Pitchers (Young Player's) ImageA Guide for Young Softball Pitchers (Young Player's)
by Don Oster, Jacque Hunter
The Lyons Press; Published: 2005-03-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.49
Price in other shops: $12.95
The Softball Coaching Bible ImageThe Softball Coaching Bible
by National Fastpitch Coaches Association
Human Kinetics; Human Kinetics; Published: 2002-02-07; Paperback; Book
Best price: $11.99
Price in other shops: $23.95
Softball Skills & Drills ImageSoftball Skills & Drills
by Judi Garman
Human Kinetics; Published: 2001-01-19; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.95
Price in other shops: $19.95
The Softball Drill Book ImageThe Softball Drill Book
by Kirk Walker
Human Kinetics; Published: 2007-04-30; Paperback; Book
Best price: $12.21
Price in other shops: $18.95
The Softball Pitching Edge DVD ImageThe Softball Pitching Edge DVD
Human Kinetics; Release date: 2005-05-23; DVD
Best price: $31.35
Price in other shops: $34.95
Coach's Guide to Game-Winning Softball Drills: Developing the Essential Skills in Every Player ImageCoach's Guide to Game-Winning Softball Drills: Developing the Essential Skills in Every Player
by Michele Smith, Lawrence Hsieh
International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press; Published: 2008-02-07; Paperback; Book
Best price: $10.94
Price in other shops: $16.95
Coaching Fastpitch Softball Successfully - 2nd Edition ImageCoaching Fastpitch Softball Successfully - 2nd Edition
by Kathy Veroni, Roanna Brazier
Human Kinetics; Published: 2005-12-08; Paperback; Book
Best price: $12.68
Price in other shops: $19.95
Fastpitch Softball : The Windmill Pitcher ImageFastpitch Softball : The Windmill Pitcher
by Barry Sammons
McGraw-Hill; Published: 1997-01-11; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.99
Price in other shops: $17.95