5 Tool Academy - Baseball Training in Naperville, IL

Saturday January 10th
with Dr. Tom House,
Founder of the NPA & RDRBI

If there is only one pitching clinic you attend this season this has to be the one! You don’t want to miss the most comprehensive scientific seminar on pitching mechanics ever held in Illinois. Dr. Tom House, former MLB pitcher, pitching coach, founder of the National Pitching Association (NPA), Rod Dedeaux Research Baseball Institute (RDRBI) and current pitching coach at USC will hold 2 seminars at 5 Tool Academy on Saturday January 10th from 9:00 am – Noon and 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm.

The NPA & RDRBI was formed by leading coaches, athletes, and management teams to help pitchers of all ages safely develop to their fullest potential. In today's non-professional baseball programs, (youth, Little League, college, etc.), too many pitchers get injured thus limiting their opportunity to continue playing baseball. This combined with general misinformation about what is good, better, or best for the development of young pitchers has seriously impaired or injured pitchers beyond rehabilitation. With this in mind, the NPA & RDRBI was formed to:
   • Gather the best research and perform new research
   • Change what we know and believe about what is best for pitchers
   • Share what we've learned and teach others to learn and use everyday

We have brought together the best advisory team and faculty available to help us learn more about how and when to pitch. Through scientific research we are continually updating the basics of pitching. We focus on teaching: the mechanics of pitching, strength and conditioning requirements, and nutritional necessities, as well as the mental and emotional elements of the sport. We help develop the support group that the pitchers require including their parents and coaches. What we provide is unique and valuable for the pitcher, the parents and the coach.

Fee - $25.00 for parents & coaches - Players 18 and under FREE with paid parent or coach
To register please call 630.305.8665

5 Tool Academy is accepting applications for their Christmas break pitching camp. Athletes will be trained using drills from National Pitching Association (NPA) trained pitching instructors. The NPA was formed by Dr. Tom House former MLB pitcher, pitching coach and current USC pitching coach to help pitchers of all ages safely develop to their fullest potential. Learn the same drills used to train pitchers like 2008 World Series MVP Cole Hamels and many other current and former MLB pitchers.

In today's non-professional baseball programs, (youth, Little League, High School, college, etc.), too many pitchers get injured thus limiting their opportunity to continue playing baseball. The NPA mechanics protocol is developed around arm preservation and optimal performance.

The 90 minute drill sessions will be preceded by an introduction to the 5 Speed Core Fitness program that will focus on developing baseball specific fitness to increase upper body and core strength, joint integrity, flexibility, speed and agility.

The Camp will be held Monday December 29th, Tuesday the 30th and Friday January 2nd from 12 noon to 1:30.
Enrollment fee, $90.

The 5 Speed Program will be held on the same days from 11:00am-Noon.
5 Speed Core Fitness program fee, $45.

Sign up for one or both, space is limited so sign up today.
Participants must be 9 years old and up.

Apply in person or click here to download the application form. For further information please call 630.305.8665.

The “5 Speed Core Performance Program” is an opportunity for athletes to maximize their genetic ability as it pertains to all sports that require “Striking or Throwing” a ball. Whether you’re a Little Leaguer trying to make the next level, a teenager trying to make the High School team, or prepping yourself for college, 5 Speed Core Performance can help you attain your goals. The work out regimens will be targeted at improving your;

Learn how to warm up properly – not the traditional warm up that often leads to injuries! Here at 5 Tool Academy we believe in “Pre-Hab” not “Re-Hab”. Become skilled at strength training exercises to optimize “Striking & Throwing” potential. Master the exercise techniques to reduce injuries while increasing speed and power.

Functional Training
The best way to develop the entire body is through functional movements that increase strength, stamina, flexibility, mobility, stability, joint integrity, rotational-kinetic strength and recovery ability! Our athletes are put through demanding exercise regimens that produce results and increase motivation!

Throughout the duration of the "5 Speed Core Performance Program," every player will be mentored on exercise protocols that are cross-specific for baseball and any sport that requires “Striking or Throwing” a ball. We will be teaching the most up-to-date exercise protocols that target the following:

• Increasing speed and strength in your athletic performance
• Improving first step takeoff to get to ball before your opponents
• Improving your ability to change directions yet maintain body control and fluidity
• Improving top end speed to pull away from your opponent
• Recover faster during the game & between games to keep your playing level high
• Increase mental toughness- only the strong minds will survive. Be one of them!!

Upon completion of this program, we expect that every player will not only have the most up-to-date education, but also the confidence to restructure their personal workouts to attain their maximum genetic potential in throwing or striking a ball.

Our one-of-a-kind individually customized programs, help athletes become faster, quicker, stronger, more explosive, more flexible, more agile, more mobile, more stable and more athletic.

What we are all about at 5 Tool:

• Help the young person find and stay on their personal path of Mastery, they are a different person everyday.
• Develop the young person’s awareness of what PRINCIPLES apply to their particular skill or skills.
• Freedom for the young person to build their own personal signature around these universal principles.
• Develop the young person’s ability to use MORE of their natural intelligence, curiosity, drive, physical ability and talents. To not try and ”fix” the student…but rather draw out the best that lies inside of them.
• Develop the young person’s ability to enjoy the plateaus as well as the improvements…the challenges as well as the victories…the task as well as the rewards.

My son and I have worked closely with Mark Sheehan over the past two and a half years and during that time I have seen my son progress from a kid that threw the ball pretty hard to a well rounded, mechanically sound pitcher with a philosophy about how to pitch and a plan when he gets on the mound. Mark’s work with the National Pitching Association and the concern that they express for the safety of young pitchers is what drew me to Mark’s program.

Early in my son’s baseball career he suffered a repetitive motion injury from throwing too much and from poor mechanics (sad to say that I taught him). Since I wanted him to be safe I started looking for a coach that taught “safe pitching”. In my research I came across the National Pitching Association and Mr. Tom House’s philosophy matched mine exactly. Coincidentally, Mark, who is a certified NPA instructor, began working with our travel team that year and I was able to pick his brain regarding the concept of safe pitching. It didn’t take long for me to realize that Mark was exactly what my son and I were looking for and we have not been disappointed. My son can now be effective pitching late into a game or even completing a game on occasion with little to no discomfort to his arm and only normal recovery time. I attribute this to improved core strength, uncomplicated mechanics…… simple is better because there are fewer things to go wrong. This is really the biggest hurdle for most young pitchers (and their fathers) to get over…... and a philosophy that believes a one pitch out is better than a full count strike out every time.

Mark is absolutely current in his knowledge of the physiological demands that pitching makes on young arms. My most important criteria in working with Mark was, is, and always will be the fact that he puts the safety of my son as his top priority in training him to pitch. The times that I have had questions his knowledge has impressed me, but his willingness to go beyond easy answers and research with the NPA and elsewhere is even more impressive and speaks to his professionalism and commitment.

Mark was at a game that my son pitched in where he didn’t do so well. Mark did a great job of helping him put it into a positive perspective and learning opportunity. Mark’s approach to life in general is very positive. I really appreciate that in anybody, but I think it is especially important for people working with young people. My son is 14 and the more positive role models I can put in his path the better.

Mark’s individual commitment to my son’s success and his motivation for and dedication to all of his clients are the things that keep us coming back to Mark and the 5 Tool Academy.
Bruce Howell

Mark utilizes an individualized, “hands on” style in developing young pitchers. His approach combines drills and personalized video to communicate leading and bleeding edge NPA (National Pitching Association) concepts and techniques in a manner that gets results.
Dave Seremek

The instruction and knowledge my son, Michael, has gained from Mark Sheehan has been invaluable as he grows in his pitching prowess. Thanks to Mark and the concepts he espouses from the National Pitching Association, my ten-year-old has become one of the best pitchers on his team, learning to throw strikes at a rate that to me has become surprising in its efficiency.
Jim Stramaglia

Mark came highly recommended by a friend and we have never had a reason to second guess our decision or look for another option. Mark and his 5 Tool staff have been great.

My father signed a contract right out of high school with the White Sox so pitching and baseball is in the family blood. I had my own theories on pitching and was a successful pitcher myself, but by college had thrown my arm out. At first, I had questions with a couple of things my son was learning, but very quickly came to understand Mark's system and am extremely glad I did. I watch kids with their wind ups and their body is going two different directions, struggling to throw strikes. I am glad my son has developed a solid base through Mark and 5 Tool.

At a young age it is important that my son understand the fundamentals that will help as he grows. Mark's technique is a proven success and has my son throwing the ball with control and confidence.

Mark has done a great job getting to know my son and explaining the techniques needed. He makes practice sessions fun and enjoyable which makes learning easier.

Mark is a vary talented teacher and he will make sure your youngster gets off on the right track.
Bill Carlson