RICH MCGINNIS
PITCHER/COACH, MILERVILLE. PA
“It would have changed everything for Rick Ankiel if they had let Dr.
Crowley work
with him. Until I worked with Dr. Crowley I was battling a monster that seemed unbeatable.’
July
2003
“Dr. Crowley: I read your article on the sportsmaker web site regarding “Steve Blass
Disease”. I’m a 22 year old college student who has been battling the ‘monster’
for the past five or six years I’ve lived with baseball’s dark secret and tried to
overcome it in every possible manner all the while trying to hide it from everyone
around me. I felt embarrassed about having difficulty making a simple throw... one
that anyone can do.
I first started having trouble my junior year of high school. I’d given up basketball
so I could concentrate full time on baseball. I worked extremely hard all winter
and had high expectations for the spring. I was a pitcher and a third base man. The
first game of my junior year I air-
In the summer I started working out behind the plate. I’d caught when I was
younger.
I enjoyed a very good summer catching without any hints of the monster. However,
early spring the monster would rear its ugly head again. I started having trouble
throwing the ball back to the pitcher. I had no problems throwing to the bases or
making quick snap throws, only when I had a lot of time. I resembled Mackey Sasser
when he would attempt throwing the ball back to the pitcher. I tried every conceivable
mannerism to aid in my throw. I would pump two or three times: flop around behind
the plate: crawl back and forth: and finally would walk out a few feet in front of
the plate before lobbing the ball back.
After high school I tried out at college as a pitcher but didn’t make it. My shoulder
was still messed up and I opted to see an orthopedic. Two shoulder surgeries later
I attempted to come back and pitch. but my arm wasn’t where it should be. I began
coaching my hometown’s American Legion team. I really enjoyed coaching. I hadn’t
seen the monster in two years. until this summer. I was throwing batting practice
when all of a sudden I started having trouble. As we got deeper into the summer.
I got worse. The monster was back.
I leaned on the sore arm crutch to avoid a compete meltdown. I never had trouble
throwing strikes before. I was losing some of my passion for the game. People who
have never experienced this don’t understand. It’s not as simple as ‘Don’t think.
Just throw.’ It’s embarrassing. And it isn’t nerves. I’ve been in some pressure-
That’s what makes this so frustrating and difficult. It’s so simple and requires
virtually no high degree of skill. When I’d go to throw, I’d feel totally unconnected
with the ball. I couldn’t feel the ball (if that makes sense). Before I had the problem,
I could feel the ball right off the finger tips....it was like an extension of my
arm. When I have trouble, it’s like a foreign object. I was commonly told ‘You’re
your worst enemy.’
It was July 3, 2003 that I found Dr. Crowley’s name online and decided to E-
Within days after working with Dr. Crowley to overcome the monster, I became aware
of a profound change in the dreams tat had haunted me for years. I was actually throwing
free and easy in my dreams. I can’t remember ever having a dream in which I was doing
that. The dreams’ entire landscape changed from a dark, tense background into a bright,
relaxed atmosphere where I was throwing free and easy... and having fun. Once more
baseball has become fun for me. And once again I’m excited about it!
When the problem had plagued me the worst, I didn’t want to watch or even talk baseball
once I left the field. However, after being helped by Dr. Crowley and his remarkable
method, my passion for baseball has been renewed. I played catch shortly after our
initial phone conversation and threw with ease. While conquering this problem doesn’t
happen overnight. Dr. Crowley has put me back on the right track. I’m back to where
I was before I had problems this summer. Until I worked with Dr. Crowley I was battling
a monster that seemed unbeatabIe.
I know how it feels to try and hide baseball’s dark secret and to deny even to yourself
that you have a problem. I remember watching the 2000 NLCS and seeing Rick Ankiel
struggle and melt down before a national audience. I remember my college friends
laughing and making fun of him and I remember not thinking it was funny at all. I
felt bad for him because I knew what it was like to battle the monster. It would
have changed everything for Ankiel if they had let Dr. Crowley work with him.
If any player is battling with their own throwing monster, I strongly urge you to
contact Dr. Crowley. Working with him was amazing and I believe his way of approaching
the monster was extremely helpful . Dr. Crowley, once again, thanks for everything.
And thanks for coming up with the Crowley Method.
Rich McGinnis
Full Transcript and Testimonial of
Rich McGinnis
PITCHER/COACH, MILERVILLE. PA
