Local inventor looks to produce baseball tool

Center's Steve Campbell stands with his invention that he
hopes, some day, will be used by baseball players across the
United States. It's called the Proformance Pitch. (Photo by
John Krueger)

CENTER -- Steve Campbell loves baseball. Campbell's four sons love baseball. You might even say they almost live, sleep and eat baseball. He's even written a book on hitting.

And because he's always looking for ways to improve his sons' performances on the field, it's only natural that he'd come up with new ideas on how to do that.

In 2006 he created and patented an apparatus that he feels could revolutionize the game and help players at every level improve their skills. It's called the Proformance Pitch, 'The ultimate practice machine'.

This piece of equipment is made of metal and uses clay skeets to give players - whether they are pitchers or position players - targets at which they can throw the ball to become more accurate.

There are several reasons why Campbell, who resides here in Center, believes this machine can become valuable to players:

First of all, players can practice independently, with no catcher needed. He is going to produce the apparatus so that it will have the image of a catcher on it. The four 'spots' or targets are in the four corners of what would be a strike zone of the plate.

Clay skeets, which can be purchased at any sporting goods store or Wal-Mart at a relatively inexpensive price, are placed in the four targets and the machine is balanced so it swings when hit by a ball, but gravity makes it revert back to its original position for the next throw.

"I have a book I published on hitting," Campbell described. "And when I was at the publishers, I had stopped by McDonalds in Carthage to get a cup of coffee. And I noticed when I stood up the chair hit me in the butt.

"I had been looking at springs and other ways of making (the machine) turn back around, but every time I looked at doing something it was making the it more costly and I said, '"Lord you're going to have to help me come up with something simple.'

"I looked at the way that chair moved back around by using gravity. And that night the Lord put this thought into my head to let gravity do it. So what we did was make the iron bar that it sits on tilt at a slight angle to let it 'lean' forward and the weight of the machine makes it want to go 'downhill'. So something so simple works so great."

Also, the machine teaches pitch location, but it also can teach other players to throw more accurately, Campbell reasoned.

"It's great for pitchers because it shows the four corners of the strike zone," he stated. "But if you're a catcher and you want to throw out a baserunner at second base, what better way to become more accurate than this machine.

"In fact, no matter what position you play, it will help you throw more accurate."

Campbell said it will build confidence. And because players love to practice breaking the clay skeets, they'll work on it more and more.

"Success will come only after technique has become habit," he stated. "The bottom line is every player will improve their worth to their team with a stronger, more accurate throw. Plus a practice machine that is fun and exciting to use will guarantee longer practice sessions.

"And repetition is the greatest teacher."

Campbell said the reason he uses the clay skeets in the targets is because they will shatter when the player accurately throws the ball and hits one of the 4-inch targets. And since they are inexpensive, they will be an enjoyable target to hit. And because youngsters love breaking things, they'll practice longer.

Now that the machine is perfected, Campbell is looking to produce it. But, to do that, he is searching for someone with the funding to become his partner.

"I'm trying to get someone to come in 50/50 as partners with me and get this thing mass produced," he explained. "I've already checked on a mold and they wanted $80,000. I just can't afford that.

"I'd love to see this in Wal-Mart and other sporting goods stores for about $69, but we'll have to see if that is reasonable once we get further into it.

"I know this thing will be a big seller, but I've got to get it produced. And to do that I'm looking for someone to go into it with me."

Anyone with questions or wishes to contact Campbell can do so by calling (936) 598-8538 or email him at alesiacampbell@yahoo.com. He can also be written at 820 Walker St., Center, TX 75935