National Pitching Association

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Advisory Board

  Nolan Ryan
  Randy Johnson
  Cole Hamels
  Mark Prior
  Robb Nen
  Orel Hershiser
  Dave Dravecky
  Bobby Valentine
  Dusty Baker
  John Young
  Tom House
  Karl Meinhardt
  James Evans
  Greg Rose
  Robert Yang
  Jim Brogan
  Glenn Fleisig
  Todd Durkin
  Alan Blitzblau
  Arnel Aguinaldo

  Dr. Lewis Yocum
  Dr. Rick Heitsch
  Dr. James Andrews
  Dr. John Conway
  Dr. Hank Chambers
  Dr. Todd Lanman

Parents: The Athlete's Primary Support Team

An athlete's parents play an extremely vital role in his development not only as a player, but as a team member, and an individual. Parental support, when provided with the athlete's well being as a priority, is a true cornerstone in all aspects of development.

Consider the role of the baseball pitcher in the overall concept of a game. Although he is a member of a team, while he is pitching inning after inning, he is truly alone on the mound. Whether a pitch is a strike, is a ball, or is hit, he alone controls the speed and placement of the ball as it travels toward the batter. While his team members are there to support him through a game, his performance in any given game is a culmination of all aspects of his preparation: his mental state, his physical state, and most of all, his love of the game. Parents can play a monumental role in preparing an athlete for the arduous task of facing batter after batter effectively.

The National Pitching Association recognizes the important role of the parent in an athlete's development through the different levels of competitive play. We provide products, schools and camps, and information, that you as a parent will find useful in your daily support of your athlete. Many of the NPA camps are set up to include the attendance of a parent, so that course topics and information can be learned and practiced in a supporting environment at home. Whether it is information on mental and emotional conditioning, physical conditioning, or nutritional and dietary behaviors, the NPA is committed to informing parents, so that they can be an informed support channel for athletes.

Help your athlete achieve and perform to his fullest potential. By being informed, supportive, and understanding, you can make your athlete excel and love the game even more.

Be sure to check out the NPA offerings in our Products area for schools, camps, videos and other items that will help you in your role as the "home coach." The NPA Family Membership can also provide current information, a channel to ask pitching experts, and informative articles that will aid you and your athlete in his development to reach his fullest potential.