Former Cubs' Steven Ellis Helps Pitchers Paint Path To Success
By PAUL TOKARZ | Chicago Tribune
CHICAGO — A blink of an eye or a tenth of a second is all the time it takes for a 90-plus mph flaming fastball to cross the plate.
The rotating seam pitcher Steven Ellis generated on a baseball might have been a God-given talent, but ask Ellis and he will tell you that velocity and command stems from countless workouts and drills.
With more than 20 years of baseball experience, Ellis' knowledge of pitching is second to none.
A New Hartford, N.Y., native, Ellis was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 12th round of the Major League Baseball draft in 2000 and was the Chicago Cubs' 18th-round pick in 2001. He was also a Division 1 full-scholarship pitcher at Bradley University of the Missouri Valley Conference, where he garnered numerous accolades.
| "Steven Ellis is an excellent pitching resource." –Mike Sirotka, MLB pitcher |
Ellis enjoyed a stellar professional career in the Cubs organization partly because he was able to throw a 93 to 94 mph heater, but he was also able to keep hitters guessing with a knee-crippling changeup. Ellis was named the Rolaids relief pitcher of the year in 2002 with the Lansing Lugnuts, before being sidelined with career-ending shoulder surgery.
As a professional player in 2002, Ellis began The Complete Pitcher Inc. This baseball company, offering educational and instructional products, prompted him to write his first baseball book, The Ultimate Guide to Advanced Pitching. Fully revised for 2009 and now available in paperback, it is the No. 1 selling baseball pitching book on the Internet.
In 2010, Ellis updated The TUFFCUFF Strength and Conditioning Manual for Baseball Pitchers, a 52-week year-round training program based on big league workouts.
"I wanted to create a comprehensive pitching resource for coaches, parents and players of all ages," Ellis, 30, says.
Ask professional players, college coaches or baseball scouts about The Complete Pitcher, and you will find similar responses referring to the best pitching information source available.
"Ellis is an excellent pitching resource from basic throwing mechanics to preparing advanced pitchers for the next level," says former White Sox pitcher Mike Sirotka.
"Steve has developed a comprehensive resource for pitchers and pitching coaches of all ages," Truman State Univ. head coach Dan Davis adds. "He has the background and experience to help pitchers learn the fundamentals of the game and do it in a healthy way."
Ellis not only works on the pitching mechanics, but he will also advise proper diet and weight training exercises for all his baseball clients.
With many "baseball gurus" out there, it's difficult for parents to choose a legitimate source to lead their sons in the right baseball direction. Ellis' collegiate and professional experiences, along with seven years of operating The Complete Pitcher, validate countless testimonials as to why his pitching advice is the best available.
Click here for more information about former Chicago Cubs pitching pro Steven Ellis. You can also read his wikipedia bio, reviews of his pitching instruction, and what other bloggers think of him. Plus, find out which MLB pitching coaches use his resources to help their pitchers improve.
