As a Division III baseball player, I am always trying to find a competitive advantage to separate myself from the competition. With the instruction and expertise of Mark and the 5-Tool Coaches, I achieved just that. I came into the program throwing in the mid 70’s with an incredibly inflexible upper-body. Through Mark’s advanced teachings in arm pre-hab, maintenance, and strengthening, I saw an increase in flexibility, arm strength, and arm stamina. Now, I consistently top out at 84 mph – a 10 mph difference in just 8 short weeks of workouts. There is no doubt in my mind that Mark’s program allows pitchers and fielders alike to maximize their potential. I look forward to working with Mark and the 5-Tool family in the future to continue my growth and development as not only a pitcher, but an athlete as well. I would highly recommend the 5 Tool Academy to players of all ages who are willing to work hard to be the best they can be. Big thanks to Mark and his staff!
-Trent A.
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. 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.
When we started working with Mark he was volunteering time with our travel team. As we got to know him better we became clients of his working in his home and in his backyard. Now he has a great facility to work out in with the 5 Tool Academy. His enthusiasm for working with young athletes has never wavered throughout. 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.
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.
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 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.
Thanks Mark!
Bruce H.
Mark;
I just wanted to drop you a note concerning the pitching on my sons 13U team in the WSBL. We finished the 2009 season with a second place record of 13-5. Pitching has been very strong.
Our pitching staff is 9 deep, which I am proud of for a team at this level. I have not seen any other team with this depth of pitching. Our team ERA was 3.27 and holding the opposition to a .246BA. We allowed the least runs of any 13u team in our league.
We have incorporated the training methods you introduced to the team. The training we received from 5Tool has resulted in significant improvements. Not only are the boys improved, the coaches have an ability to diagnose when the pitching mechanics are breaking down and provide the boys keys to self correct.
We committed to a 2 year process with this team, preparing them for high school level baseball. Having consistent coaching philosophies and methods for hitting and pitching will pay dividends with the development of this team and players.
Thanks again for your efforts and contributions.
Regards,
Coach Ron S.
My son, Dave, has been a student of Mark’s for over a year and a half participating in pitching lessons, the conditioning program and clinics. The experience and results have been extraordinary.
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.
I highly recommend Mark Sheehan’s 5*Tool Academy because he has combined the best of the best that can be offered in pitching, hitting and conditioning under one roof.
Dave S.
As a high school and travel team coach I am always looking for ways to improve our players in a safe, productive manner. The Sheehan Pitching Academy is by far the best pitching instruction I have come across. Mark Sheehan loves to teach and it shows in every student that goes through his academy. The National Pitching Association, which is the foundation of the Sheehan Pitching Academy (now 5 Tool Academy) is the most scientific and researched pitching formula available in baseball. The focus is on efficient mechanics and taking care of your arm first and that will pay huge dividends in the future for any pitcher. His functional fitness training program is in my opinion a truly essential component to any athletes training routine. My son and daughter have been using the academy for the last year and their arms have never been healthier or stronger. This program is not just for pitchers, but for any athlete who throws a ball for fun or competition.
Coach Rich B.
As a little league coach, the results and confidence of the player’s who have utilized Sheehan Pitching Academy have been outstanding. The drills learned have not only helped these kids in pitching, but have also increased their overall arm strength, which is essential in all defensive positions. Mark Sheehan’s love of the game has made him an essential mentor for young players in our area. The kids enjoy the lessons as much as they like playing in games. I highly recommend other coaches and parents to seriously consider Sheehan Pitching Academy for anybody interested in improving their performance on the field.
Coach Steve D.
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. Anyone who is interested in developing strong pitchers without putting unnecessary stress on a young athlete's arm would be remiss if they let an opportunity to utilize Sheehan Pitching Academy go by. Mark's superior instruction has resulted in very impressive statistics compiled by the three pitchers on my son's team who are lucky enough to have Mr. Sheehan's tutelage.
Jim S.
...............(Update) It has been three years since I last wrote my testimonial. My son Michael has played full-time travel ball for the last two years. Thanks, Mark, for your guidance. He continues to have impressive stats. As he is getting stronger and bigger, the evolution of your coaching techiques continues to result in injury free pitching season after season. Even though he is not the biggest kid on his team and doesn't regularly bring the heat, he continues to tie up opposing batters in knots. His coach calls him his "Little Maddux." That's the beauty of NPA certified instruction: teaching how to pitch while at the same time avoiding injury.
Jim
Just wanted to share some of the results from you and your staff working with my son Matthew. He has really taken to your drills and methods. He pitched in our game on Tuesday night. Results were outstanding. He pitched 3 innings ( the limit for the league) and threw 35 pitches striking out 9. He was smooth and more accurate than he has ever been. All of the Dad's were asking what he did over the winter to change his motion. I told them we participated in your program and that Matthew really liked the results.
Jeff S.
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