Pitching Classes – Santa Clarita
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Advanced Level Classes – Santa Clarita
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- Mon @ 4:00PM or 6:00PM
- Tue @ 4:00PM or 6:00PM
- Wed @ 4:00PM or 6:00PM
- Thu @ 4:00PM or 6:00PM
- Fri-Sun @ By Appointment
Each class is 80 minutes
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- Mon @ 7:30 PM
- Tue @ 7:30 PM
- Wed @ 7:30 PM
- Thu @ 7:30 PM
- Fri (no class)
Each Advanced Level class is 90 minutes.
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About the Classes
We have found the most efficient throwing and pitching time we can spend with our students is in a competitive group setting where the pitchers work with and alongside each other. After years of sitting on a bucket or catching our pitchers, we would consistently miss out on the most important aspects of the player’s valuable time. Areas such as arm action, hip rotation and proper deceleration of the throwing arm would not be able to be recognized due to our needed ability to catch a baseball thrown at high speeds. We have developed a throwing program that satisfies the needs of our pitchers as students, as well as ourselves as teachers in allowing the students to maximize their abilities over the course of 1 hour and 20 minutes in a group setting. No more subjective measurements e.g. making the statement “That looked good” to a more thorough “See or Feel what you did there” or “Look at the video….do you understand why we want you to do this?”
Our 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM group class work involves complete body warm up, arm care circuit, throwing drills, video stations, mechanical work and mound time. We also have objective feedback in our video monitors and our velocity board to give the pitcher the much needed feedback to shorten their development curve.
The first 30 minutes are devoted to proper warm up of the entire body with a dynamic stretch……a four-station arm care circuit……four rounds of deceleration and pronation throws…… and finally four rounds of throwing drills.
The next 30 minutes allow for two stations rotating back and forth to our two coaches for specific mechanical work dealing with the upper and lower half of the pitching and throwing motion. We utilize high speed video recording (240 frames per second) and playback to our video monitor mounted right next to our pitching mounds for immediate feedback.
The last 20 minutes involve radar readings, control and command sessions with a game-like atmosphere which is followed by a full finish station involving reverse throws, band work and scapular exercises to finish our group time together.
To request more information, please complete the contact information and notes area below.
testimonials
Classes and Private Lessons
I have known Jim Wagner for over 20 years. During this time, I have grown to have the upmost respect
for him. He is truly a man on a mission. I have watched him train many students, including both of my
sons. His evaluation of talent, comes from a position of knowledge equity. Jim Wagner trains in the art
of pitching, this is simply his gift. Jim looks at the individual and truly develops his/her talent, and
maintains a passionate desire, to help each individual based on his/her talents.
Jim truly runs the TZAcademy with passion and professionalism. His knowledge of the game,
from the physical aspect to the mental pre-game preparation, is outstanding. The art of pitching is more
than throwing a ball. Jim, challenges his students, to be more than a thrower, but a pitcher. With the
plethora of specialty pitching coaches in So Cal, Jim will always be at the top of my list.
Fran Judge, Valencia CA
Elite Pitcher’s Boot Camp
Just a short note to say thank you so much for the great camp. It is a tribute to you and your staff to see my son come home each day, more excited about the game of baseball, and self improvement. Frankly, I am amazed at how you can get them to embrace the drills and exercises in such a competitive manner. For three days, they didn’t scrimmage or even swing a bat, and yet, each day my son would come home pumped and eager for the following day. In the world of highly competitive youth baseball, I applaud you most for keeping it fun.
I look forward to more camps with you in the future.
Paul Ganus
Classes and Private Lessons
Jim, I know that if it weren’t for you and your commitment to both Theo and Bobby, they would not have had the successes that they’ve enjoyed over the years. From day one at Meadow’s Park, I’ve always trusted you and believed in what you do. We (Santa Clarita) are very lucky and fortunate to have you looking out for our young pitchers. Continued success to you!
Also, I asked Bobby and he would like to continue with your program in November and of course he would not miss it for anything, so please count him “IN”. Last year, with your program, his arm was in prefect ready shape and he didn’t miss a game or practice due to injury. I attribute his success to the fact that he consistently kept his arm conditioned through participating in your program. I would say off the top of my head that he might have been the only pitcher who did not suffer from some type of injury last year!
Thank you for all that you do for our boys in keeping them safe and injury free!
-Heidi Stafford
Classes and Private Lessons
I am writing you today to let you know how the Command trainer we ordered from Oates Specialties has improved our son William’s pitching command and accuracy. We had the pleasure of driving down to train with Jim early this year, and William was introduced to the trainer at Jim’s facility. Jim told us of the evolution of the trainer as it was used at Ron Wolforth’s ranch in Texas. William has been to the ranch twice, but it was not used in the 3 day boot camps.
After visiting Jim I ordered the trainer. I was hesitant to order another “weapon” to add to William’s arsenal. He was at the age where it was hard to get him to use the gear on a regular basis. He wanted instant results without putting in the “work”. Even Ron’s videos of William’s issues did not get the point across. Fast forward to setting up the trainer in the back yard. William finally got instant results from hitting the target on the trainer. It was better than paying for a coach! He has been out using the trainer between games, sometimes in the dark with his phone blaring Eminem for all the neighbors to hear. Yesterday he pitched a full 6 innings with no pain, striking out 15 in those innings with no walks. He has never stayed on the mound this long with this kind of success. AND, he was radar’d at 75 mph with a friend’s pocket radar. For a 12 year old I can only credit you three (Samantha, take some credit too!) for helping William regain his command, arm health and mental ability to stay on the mound.
Thanks again for being there when I emailed you, ordered from you and visited you. You guys are all the best there is.
-Mary Ann Kempner (son William, 12 yo)
Thanks from a lefty!
Years ago at the age of 5, My son Timothy developed a great love for baseball and then pitching as a lefty. I saw the dedication and hard work he was willing to put into the game even at a young age, we were so lucky to have stumbled upon Jim Wagner, the owner of the ThrowZone Baseball Academy (TZAcademy).
WOW…..What a great ride since then!
Let me just say, for any of you who love baseball, and want to become great pitchers and are in it to win it, or just throw the ball with great velocity and control, then I highly recommend TZAcademy. TZA is not only the best pitching academy in the Santa Clarita Valley but also probably one of the best in the country. Jim Wagner, and his long time associate, Warren Bauer, are two of the most knowledgeable pitching instructors in the business. Even if you just have questions regarding your child and their pitching you definitely need to know you can contact them even if it is just for good, friendly advice, they will always help you and are two of the nicest people I know.
Their level of instruction for pitchers and throwing in my opinion is second to none and the most top quality of anyone in baseball. Not only do they work on proper mechanics, arm strength and conditioning, they also work on something that is equally important, the mental side of the game when you are on the mound under pressure, and also very important, the shut down time for pitchers. They get to know you personally and even give you good life skill advice. Pitching is definitely an art and has to be developed over a period of time, it is definitely a process. Many will have failures, but with the proper training you will have many great successes as well to prepare you for the next level. We all know as baseball players, your failures will definitely be part of your successes, they will guide you through this process. The workouts are challenging but fun. Everyone that participates is treated as an individual and like family. They also know everyone is a different size and shape, no matter who you are, they can help you gain knowledge, strength for both your velocity and power for the mental side of the game. So, they take who and what you are into account and work with you to build you up to the best player you can possibly be. They guide you like uncles, They make sure that your body is not being over worked, and in the great aspects of conditioning its not only about your arms but your upper and lower body also, which fits well with their strength training process. Your eating habits are a big factor in muscle development as well. It is a one stop shop for all your leaguers needs. I couldn’t be happier having a great academy of this caliber right here in our own backyard.
We owe much thanks to Jim and Warren, for all the progress and accolades that my son Timothy has achieved. We could not have done it without them and Tim's hard work and dedication. He just recently signed his pitching scholarship to one of the most prestigious pitching schools in the country, Cal State University, Fullerton. Some of his other accolades from the past consist of All-Foothill League Pitcher of the Year, All- Area First team, All -State, All-Signal newspaper and All- American. This could not have happened without the training and insight at TZAcademy. I highly recommend TZAcademy to any baseball player who wants to become their very best. Jim and Warren know their stuff!
Mike and Cindy Josten
(son, Timmy, is committed to Cal State University, Fullerton in the fall of 2017)
