Best Books On Baseball Pitching Instruction

I thought we'd revisit the "Best Baseball Pitching Instruction Books" list that I've put together on this blogat a few different times. What are your favorites and, more importantly, tell us why? How can the pitching books you recommend help other pitchers, coaches and parents?

Here are a dozen or so to get us started:

1. TUFFCUFF - This is my book, so of course, it's tops on my list. But for those of you looking for a complete, step-by-step training program that covers all the exercises, throwing, nutrition, etc. that you must do to become a stronger, harder-throwing, more able-bodied pitcher, there isn't anything else out there that's even close to this strength and conditioning manual.

2. The Mental ABC's of Pitching - Not as good as my favorite baseball book of all time, Mental Game of Baseball, but it's by the same author and covers the mental aspects of the game as it specifically relates to pitchers. Also of note is Getting Focused Staying Focused, by Alan Jaeger. Sure, Jaeger is known for his long toss methods, but this book is actually quite good.

3. The Art & Science of Pitching - The latest from Tom House and the National Pitching Association is well worth the read. LTP admin Roger references it quite a bit in the Pitching Mechanics threads.

4. Nolan Ryan Pitcher's Bible - An oldie but a goodie. Now I don't prescribe to everything that Nolan Ryan states in this book, but it does provide some good insights on training and mechanics.

5. The Act of Pitching - Section on pitching grips is good. One caveat: if you happen to be in the camp that believes long toss, weighted balls, strength training, pushing off the rubber, etc. are bad, then you will probably disagree with much of what the author has to say.

6. The Picture Perfect Pitcher - Co-written with Tom House, this book is Paul Reddick's claim to fame.

7. 101 Pitching Drills - Great pics and lots of drills that I find to be especially useful to use with younger pitchers learning the various elements of proper pitching mechs.

8. Baseball Master - Actually, this book is pretty good, particularly for youth pitchers up to the age of 12. Down side? It's an online book.

9. Louisville Slugger Complete Book of Pitching - It's not complete by any means, but there are some gems in the text, particularly for coaches.

10. Pitch Like a Pro - I like this book. Very little depth and certainly not for more advanced pitchers, but good none-the-less. I mean, sure he had a GREAT pitching staff to work with, but Leo Mazzone is probably one of the best pitching coaches of the 1990's. Just wish the book had a little more substance to it. Read it and you'll know what I mean.

11. Have to throw in Roger Kahn's The Headgame - It's a little old but fantastic insights are all through it.

12. For fans of the NPA, there's Fasball Fitness by Tom House, as well as the Pitching Edge.