pitching – Game Speed Sports Training

“Pitching Pals”- Workout Buddies Prosper at Gamespeed
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“Pitching Pals”- Workout Buddies Prosper at Gamespeed

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“Pitching Pals”- Workout Buddies Prosper at Gamespeed

The Company You Keep

If you’ve heard my latest podcast on “The Brand and The Source”, its entitled Should You Have A Training Partner?. Me and Erik Johnson cover the pros and cons of having a workout partner, selecting one and the possible pitfalls. Well here’s an example of how its worked out great for two of my athletes. EJ McGrew and Noah Zirkle both of St Mary’s College High school are pitchers on the varsity team. They have been lifelong buddies and apparently do everything together. When their pitching coach Jeff Pick advised them to come train at Gamespeed I was a little apprehensive about them training together. I’ve seen this story before and most do not end well. Too my delight they have both prospered and are two of the most hard working athletes in my gym. There is a maturity and focus that reminds me of my college level athletes.

They started in October on my Off Season Pitchers Conditioning and Velocity program, fast forward three and a half months later and the results are promising. Their Pitching coach Jeff Pick sent me a text outlining the difference he is seeing:

“U are the man:………….. Zirkle […]

“Pitching Pals”- Workout Buddies Prosper at GamespeedGame2021-01-13T12:02:13-08:00

Pitching Velocity – If You Want to Join The Arms Race Pick Your Program Carefully
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Pitching Velocity – If You Want to Join The Arms Race Pick Your Program Carefully

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Pitching Velocity – If You Want to Join The Arms Race Pick Your Program Carefully

Velo….Velo….Velo…. It’s the buzz word that has everyone one clamoring to Pitching Velocity Programs all over the country. Full disclosure, having a Pitchers Off Season Program myself (Top Gun & Young Guns) I am not here to promote or bad talk any program out there. What I want to do is make parents and athletes aware of how to stay safe and healthy. As a performance trainer for over 25 years I won’t say I’m a founder but I was involved in the early development and influence of some of the first Power/Velocity Throwing programs developed in this country back in 2001-2002.

So I have seen the inception and the evolution of these programs in its many forms. Due to its explosion and high demand there are some trends that I find disturbing and the buyer should be aware. I would say go to the internet to research the modalities used in many of the programs but there are very few “independent” scientific studies done from researchers who are not at the same time promoting their own programs. Not to say they are being dishonest in their findings but they do have skin in the game. There are as […]

Pitching Velocity – If You Want to Join The Arms Race Pick Your Program CarefullyGame2021-08-23T10:39:12-07:00

2017-18 Top Gun Athletes

Dominic Pipkin – Drafted in the 9th round of the MLB Draft by the Phillis Pipkin topped out at 97mph this summer and sat consistently above 92mph.

The Northgate graduate topped at 95mph. He consistently threw in the low 90’s. He will continue his career at CAL next season.

Joey Soberon – Clayton Valley – Committed to St Marys. Helped carry the Ugly Eagles into the post season throwing 57 innings. Record of 5-3, 37strikeouts 22 walks and a 2.21 ERA. Had a top velo of 86mph and sat at 82-83 all season.

Reese Dexter – Heritage – Junior Varsity – The Junior pitched a total of 46.2 innings and had a 6-0 record. He had 83 strikeouts and 27 walks. posting a ERA of 1.20. His velo improved from 79 to 82mph.

Michael Crews – Campolindo Varsity: Junior topped at 86mph. During the HS season 257 total pitches 169 for strikes 88 balls, 13k’s. Innings 18 1/3, Seven Inn […]

2017-18 Top Gun AthletesGame2018-08-03T17:26:37-07:00

Young Guns Results
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Young Guns Results

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Young Guns Results

The Young Guns Pitchers & Throwers Conditioning Class is the only program in the Bay Area specifically aimed at the development of athletes ages 12-14. Not yet young adults (avg age 13) these athletes need particlar care and training to meet their athletic needs. Over a four month period the participants went through a series of specially structured workout routines to build their bodies to answer the demands of being a throwing athlete. These routines were designed to be fun, challenging and innovative but most importantly effective. The results showed success in a variety of areas of training.

Leg Strength

After 29 training sessions we saw encouraging improvement in the particpants leg strength. The foundatiion for power and endurance leg strength plays a critical part in generating force and relieving the stress on the arm. As evidenced by our specialized jump test the average improvement was 8.07 inches. A 12% improvement in performance.

Lower Body Explosiveness

Lower body explosiveness implies both the ability to generate force (velocity) as well as nueroligically indicating the fast twitch of an athlete. Faster movements, higher velocities and ability to repeat those velocities.

Repeat Jumps – Our atheltes improved on average 4.12 inches thats approximately an 8% performance improvement. […]

Young Guns ResultsGame2018-03-16T17:41:40-07:00

Total Player- 5 Tool School

Total Player Training

Where Practice Meets Performance

Want to be a complete player? Well train like one.

Now there’s a complete program dedicated to your development.

This 90 minute comprehensive baseball training program will include:

Hitting Stations – Power, Batspeed
Fielding Station- Footwork, Glove work,
Running Station – Home to First, Base Stealing
Throwing Station – Velocity, Health, Accuracy
Baseball Conditioning – Explosiveness, Agility, Core

The programs specialty stations will intergrate both the tactical and conditioning aspect of baseball and softball play.

The partnership of Aaron and EJ has been responsible for the development of no less than 30 Division I infielders and 10 drafted prospects. This proven partnership has the experience, pedigree, and track record for success. Become a part of our process.

Total Player Classes = 24 sessions

Mondays & Wednesdays

Time: 7:00-8:30pm

Feb 12,14,19,21,26,28

March 5,7,12,14,19,21,26,28,

April 2,4,9,11,16,18,23,25,30

May 2

Cost: $369 per month. ($390 credit)

Once a week monthly Cost: $225 ($245 credit)

Ages 12 & Up

Limited Number of Spots

No Makeup’s
No Refunds

Call/Text […]

Total Player- 5 Tool SchoolGame2018-02-07T11:17:20-08:00

Dominic Pipkin Top Gun Student Hits 96MPH at Area Code Games

Top Gun student Dominic Pipkin’s talents were on full display at Day 3 of the prestigiuos Area Code Games in Long Beach Ca. Up from a last years top velocity of 92 mph Dominic sat at 92-94mph velo before hitting 95mph on two consecutive pitches and then ratcheting it up to a tourney high 96mph. Dominic particpated in Aaron Thigpen of Gamespeed’s TOP GUN Off Season Pitchers and Throwers Conditioning Program which included 4 months of off season managed training and followed up with an highschool in season program and finally transitioned into a summer program. Under the tutelage of Pitching coach Devalin Harper he continues to blossom and establish himself as one of the country’s top prospects.

Read about his area code outing HERE: http://bba.am/Mo0g7d

Read About the TOP GUN program HERE

Dominic Pipkin Top Gun Student Hits 96MPH at Area Code GamesGame2017-08-09T12:33:56-07:00

Gamespeed’s Hu continues to dominate at Double-A

Concord, Ca- Congratulations to Chih-Wei Hu (Robin). training at Gamespeed since 2010 he has continued to improve and impress. He spends his off seasons working with Aaron Thigpen and coach Tony Laio who have put together a complete conditioning and pitching program. This partnership and his complete management has translated into the building of an exciting prospect. Robin continues to rise. Well done.

Rays No. 13 prospect hurls seven scoreless frames, leads level in ERA

In 33 1/3 innings for Montgomery this season, Chih-Wei Hu has fanned 34 and walked eight. (Brian McLeod/MiLB.com)

Courtesy Milb.com- Chih-Wei Hu’s lone start at Triple-A this season didn’t go too well, but that hasn’t deterred the Rays’ No. 13 prospect from dominating Double-A competition.

“If anything, I think it might’ve helped him,” Montgomery manager Brady Williams said. “He knew he was going up there only making one start and coming back. He came back and pitched the same way he pitched when he left.”

Hu turned in another sterling outing for the Biscuits on Saturday in their 5-0 shutout of Jacksonville at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. He allowed […]

Gamespeed’s Hu continues to dominate at Double-AGame2016-12-09T00:02:28-08:00

Gamespeed’s Ruben Rivera named as Direct Selection to USSSA Baseball Atlantic Region
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Gamespeed’s Ruben Rivera named as Direct Selection to USSSA Baseball Atlantic Region

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Gamespeed’s Ruben Rivera named as Direct Selection to USSSA Baseball Atlantic Region

Danville, Ca – Congratulations to Ruben Rivera the twelve year old Danville resident was one of the top 4 participants in each age division to be named as a Direct Selection to the Atlantic Region USSSA All American Teams. His tryout highlights were:

Ranked highest in batting with a 7 out of 8 score. Only athlete with a score of 7.
Tied for highest for power with a 6 out of 8 score.
Top five hitter out of 52.
Highest in arm accuracy with 7 out of 8 score.
2nd best arm velocity overall during field exercises.
In pitching he was second fastest left handed pitcher.

Ruben has been at Gamespeed training for two years now working on his athleticism in speed, power, agility as well as a participant in the Young Guns Pitching Development Program. He is a focused and competitive athlete who is developing into a solid all around performer.

Gamespeed’s Ruben Rivera named as Direct Selection to USSSA Baseball Atlantic RegionGame2016-12-09T00:02:29-08:00

Stephenson states case for big leagues

Robert Stephenson Reds Triple AAA

Training: Gamespeed’s Off Season Pitching Conditioning since 2009.

Reds top pitching prospect fans 10 over eight scoreless innings

Watching his teammates get promoted to the big leagues, Robert Stephenson can’t help but think about his own callup. And with his latest gem, he brought that call one step closer.

The Reds’ second-ranked prospect tossed eight three-hit innings and struck out 10 on Tuesday night, pitching Triple-A Louisville to a 3-1 victory over Charlotte at Louisville Slugger Field.

“You see guys go up every other day from here. I think I’ve seen four or five different guys go up to the big leagues and it puts it in perspective that you’re so close to there. So it’s in the back of your mind and it just keeps driving you forward,” he said. “It’s so close and it’s right in front of you that if you work hard enough, you can get there.

“I think very soon I will be [ready to get there].”

Stephenson’s hard work was apparent early as he worked in and out of trouble. Charlotte had a runner on second with one out in each of the first three […]

Stephenson states case for big leaguesGame2016-12-09T00:02:42-08:00

Hu leads trio of Miracle All-Stars to St. Lucie on June 20

Robin Hu: The “Hu Project” is a collaboration between Tony Liao and Aaron Thigpen of Gamespeed. Starting in 2013 Robin has been on a managed development plan to improve velocity (97mph), endurance and pitching mechanics.

Provided by www.Miraclebaseball.com

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (June 8, 2015) – The Fort Myers Miracle will have three representatives at the 54th Florida State League All-Star Game on Saturday, June 20 at Tradition Field in St. Lucie, Fla. Pitchers Chih-Wei Hu and Brandon Peterson along with catcher Alex Swim will represent the Miracle and the Minnesota Twins for the FSL South Division as announced by League President Ken Carson on Monday. Pitcher J.T. Chargois was also selected, but will not play after being promoted to Double-A Chattanooga.

“I am very proud of the four players chosen by the league to represent the Miracle and Twins at the 2015 All-Star Game,” said Miracle manager Jeff Smith.As the reigning 2014 FSL Champions, Smith and the Miracle coaching staff will manage the FSL South Team in St. Lucie. Pitching Coach Ivan Arteaga, Hitting Coach Jim Dwyer, Trainer Alan Rail and Strength and Conditioning Coach Kyle Schutts will also make the trip […]

Hu leads trio of Miracle All-Stars to St. Lucie on June 20Game2016-12-09T00:02:43-08:00