The premise was simple. Invite different pitching instructors to explain their approach to pitching. The first challenge was ours - to find instructors who would best represent different styles, from 'old school' to the lastest research in athletic performance and/or biomechanics. The second challenge was to limit them to 1,000 words because pitching is one of those topics discussed endlessly. And also to ensure they were positive about their own techniques rather than slamming others.

The final challenge was for WebBall visitors - to read through the approaches and assess their best qualities. And to make that more interesting - it was set up like a blind taste test - authors not identified until after the voting was completed. Finally, we decided that in tabulating results we would give more credit to those voters who correctly attributed 5 different statements to the correct essayists (assumption: if you understand the issues more thoroughly your vote should count for more - imagine trying that in an election!)

So here, with authors revealed, is what the WebBall constituency thinks...

Knows his stuff Approach understandable Will graduate pros Will prevent injury Won't help Way to teach, way to learn Trust him with my child Opinion of his ideas

The results above only truly mean something if you either know the authors or can match their approach to their 'sensei' (if they have one) and have read their essays. Click here for the Pitching Challenge essays.