Okay, so this is where I’m supposed to brag about myself, talking about my years pitching in college and the pro’s, my prowess as a pitching coach, and all the standard “credentials” you might be looking for to see if I’m someone you should actually trust and listen to…
But that’s what everybody does! And when it comes down to it, I didn’t make this site to be like everybody else.
Yes, I did pitch in college and at the professional level, and yes I did get drafted on 3 separate occasions before finally signing my first pro contract. And over the past 10 years I have worked with hundreds of young ballplayers helping them develop their skills as a pitcher…
But none of that really matters either when it comes down to it. I’ve known plenty of guys who were good pro pitchers, but actually pretty lousy coaches.
The problem is a lot of guys who were great pitchers in their day either don’t know how to communicate what they know or they just end up teaching what they’ve been taught about having “good pitching mechanics,” even when those things are completely different from what they did in their own careers. They don’t bother to study what actually makes pitchers successful, and instead just regurgitate conventional wisdom that’s been passed down over the years.
In my career as both a pitcher and a coach, I’ve always approached my job with an eye toward constant improvement, always seeking out new information, new training techniques, always looking for ways to get better (hence, the name of the website!).
From a young age, I’ve always been interested in the nature of human potential… Why do some people succeed and reach great heights, while others never live up to their true potential?
When I got serious about pitching in high school, I knew I had some raw ability and I wanted to do everything in my power to become the best pitcher I could be to make sure I realized my full potential.
Over the years, I transformed myself from a kid who didn’t even play Little League when I was 11 and 12 (this alone could provide material for a whole series of articles), to getting drafted after my senior year in high school, earning a Division 1 scholarship to a top university, and realizing my dream of playing in the pros.
Yet, a lack of good information and proper training as a youngster ultimately led to elbow injuries and held me back from becoming the pitcher I was truly capable of becoming.
Today I look at my career in the minors almost as if it was one big experiment, a real life training lab where I learned about the things that go into being successful on the mound.
During those years, I implemented and tested a variety of training techniques, mechanical adjustments, different grips and pitch types, mental game exercises… some things worked well, others didn’t.
And this is all knowledge I use every day in my work with young pitchers looking to get the most out of their abilities. I’m determined to share the information I’ve learned so that the pitchers I work with can avoid the same pitfalls I encountered.
Had I been armed with the information I have today, things could have gone much differently for me. But no regrets. I had some unbelievable experiences in baseball, and today I get to work with the next generation of pitchers, helping them realize their own baseball dreams.
I wouldn’t change a thing!
Today as a coach, my biggest limiting factor is my time and the number of young pitchers I can actually work with in person. I’ve been blessed with an amazing wife and two beautiful little children, and I want to make sure I’m giving them the time and attention they deserve.
My goal with BetterPitching.com is to reach a broader audience and ultimately help thousands of pitchers reach their goals and maximize their potential. So far the feedback has been overwhelming and I can see the momentum build as it grows into a sort of baseball community where players, parents and coaches can share ideas and grow in their understanding of the art of pitching.
See, everything I do here at BetterPitching.com is about helping YOU get better, whether that’s as a pitcher, baseball parent or coach.
So if you’re looking for information on training techniques, pitching mechanics, conditioning, in-game strategy, or ANYTHING relating to Pitching, you’re in the right place!
Now, I’d be lying if I said it’s all been easy. I’ve been working two jobs, putting in countless hours to get BetterPitching.com going, often teetering on the edge of total burnout. And I know at times this has been tough on my family.
It would be easier if I just settled in at my 9-5 job, collected a paycheck and could “check out” at the end of the day to be with my family. And for many people there’s nothing wrong with that. There’s even a certain dignity in it.
But pitching and personal development are my passions. They’re what everything in my life to this point has prepared me to do. And in my efforts to become the best coach, online and offline, I believe I’m setting an example for my children about the value of hard work, being true to yourself and following your passions.
And ultimately, setting my kids up so they can listen to their own voice, follow their own dreams (whatever those wind up being) while developing their abilities and leading happy, fulfilling lives is what matters more to me than anything.
And that, in a nutshell… is WHY I do this.
Phil Rosengren
Founder & Lead Instructor