While my name is typically associated with pitching, the 3P Program is a collaborative effort connecting some truly great baseball talent. Our advisory team is second to none – all experts in their various fields. It is through their efforts that we have created a great program for the serious baseball pitcher. You can review each member’s bio in more detail (www.3PSports.com/team), but for those who are looking for the “Reader’s Digest” version, the highlights are here.

Many people recognize Dr. James Andrews from the newspaper sports pages as the legendary orthopedic surgeon who has repaired many famous arms and shoulders. Not a season goes by when a famous athlete is sent to Dr. Andrew’s office in Birmingham, AL to assess an injury. I met Dr. Andrews when I was with the White Sox Triple A team in 1989 and that meeting was the starting point for my scientific approach to pitching delivery metrics. Dr. Andrew’s founded the American Sports Medicine Institute (ASMI) in Birmingham and to this day Dr. Andrews remains committed to preventative assessment for pitching related injuries.

3P Sports has partnered with the leadership team at ASMI and specifically with Dr. Glen Fleisig to create the 3P Biomechanical Analysis program. The 3P Biomechanical Analysis measure 14 critical components of the pitching delivery looking for red and yellow flags which are usually predictors of performance issues and injury potential. The 3P Biomechanical Analysis utilizes ASMI’s elite ranges to assess motion analysis and pitching delivery.

Pitching skills are important; pitching a baseball is a very complex series of motions. Over the years, I have worked with numerous pitchers and ASMI to develop a series of drills which have become the basis for our 3P Skills and Drills program. Two former pitchers who are also close personal friends, Al Leiter and Tom Glavine, have been instrumental in helping me fine tune these Drills. We have tested the Drills in the ASMI lab and we have a high correlation of success (improved performance and injury prevention) when used in conjunction with our 3P Biomechanical Analysis.

Athletes must be in top physical condition to compete at the highest levels. I have always followed a conditioning program and recommend conditioning to all pitchers who tell me they want to get to the next level with their abilities. At 3P, we offer a Conditioning Program designed by one of the best in the game. Jeff Mangold spent over a decade with the New York Yankees. He was the strength and conditioning coach during the Torre era, and has a keen awareness of my favorite pitching equation:

Power = Speed + Strength

Jeff has designed an age appropriate conditioning plan for 3P that is both exciting and challenging.

While with the White Sox, I became the co-director of the Sports Psychology program. It was very clear that the mental game of baseball was equally critical to a player’s success on and off the field. As we began the planning for 3P Sports, we spent many hours structuring the Performance Behavior Coaching program. Years ago, I was introduced to Harvey Dorfman, as he worked with pitchers on our staffs who were wrestling with various topics that impacted their individual performance. His book “The Mental Game of Baseball” is one of my favorites, and it’s loaded with great insights and observations. I recommend it to everyone – athletes, parents and coaches. Harvey shares the same commitment the other members of this team have for amateur pitchers and he is our expert for this very critical 3P Program - Performance Based Coaching. 

                                                                    

Over a year ago, Jim Duquette and I approached the leadership team at the Perfect Game with the working concept that eventually became 3P Sports. Jim has an extensive background in talent evaluation and was knew of Perfect Game’s devotion to the high school baseball players. While I was aware of Jerry Ford’s organization and reputation for identifying talented players (particularly pitchers), I wasn’t aware of their success metrics until Jim outlined the details prior to our first meeting.

The Perfect Game/3P Sports partnership is ideal for anyone who is serious about baseball and competing at the next level. Both organizations share identical philosophies regarding amateur athletics and talent development. Together, we know that we can make a difference for athletes who embrace our programs with the dedication and commitment necessary to achieve success this season, this week, and this next game.

I will have more updates soon. For interim announcements, you can follow me on Twitter or register for our Free Newsletter.