Baseball Academy Preparing Young Pitchers For Success
In baseball circles, the name Tom House is well-known for his state-of-the-art pitching techniques, and Kailua head coach Corey Ishigo has taken note of his teachings. Ishigo was among those who helped arrange for the Baseball Academy of Hawaii to host Dr. House in conducting clinics Jan. 24-26 on the Kailua High baseball field.
“His science behind the teaching and his philosophy (sets him apart),” Ishigo said about the demand for House’s services. “His schedule is always booked. We’re fortunate that he comes down (to Hawaii) for us.
“I first met him when I went to USC to become certified (as a National Pitching Association instructor), and he’s close with a friend of mine. We have an ongoing relationship with him. We communicate through email and video. He knows our players and the progress that we’ve made.
“The results we’ve been getting since we started working with him are ridiculous,” he added. “We have one player who was throwing 62 miles per hour when he came to us, and he’s improved that to 81.”
Clinic fee is $200. House will teach proper throwing techniques, mechanics and arm strengthening.
As co-founder of the National Pitching Association, he’s spent most of his life in baseball. In his career he’s been a professional baseball player, a pitching coach, a researcher, and a motivational force for many young pitchers today. Considered by many to be “the father of modern pitching mechanics,” House has spent the last 15 years researching all aspects of pitching. Among the players he’s tutored are Nolan Ryan, Randy Johnson, Mark Prior, Robb Nen and Kevin Brown. (House also counts NFL quarterbacks Tom Brady and Drew Brees among his clients.)
This won’t be his first visit to Hawaii, as he has worked with the academy on three other occasions.
House’s own work continues to evolve, in Ishigo’s view. “He’s always changing his own ways because of the research he has done,” he said. “He has the scientific proof for everything he teaches.”
The House clinics at Kailua are for ages 8 and up. The schedule begins Jan. 24 with a session for all age groups from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. The Jan. 25 session will be split among age groups: ages 8-12 from 8:30 a.m. to noon, players over 13 from 1:30 to 5 p.m. On Jan. 26, all age groups will participate in the final session from 8 to 11 a.m.
In addition to Dr. House, certified NPA instructors Ryan Kato (Aiea varsity head coach), Charlie McNicoll (Kailua varsity assistant coach) and Colby Kashimoto (president of Kaneohe Little League) will instruct the youths.
For more information, call Wendy at 306-3184.
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