ABOUT US
The Story Behind
Coach Bill Melvin
Bill Melvin’s background and personality combine to make him one of the most outstanding, well-respected baseball coaches in the metro-Atlanta area. He works well with all ages, from the youngest child who never played baseball to the pro prospect who is honing his skills for the MLB draft.
As you might have guessed by the name of his company (Pitching for Excellence), his specialty is definitely pitching. He has offered individual lessons and baseball camps since 1991. His philosophy of building champion pitchers by developing the total person has proven to be very effective.
Backstory
Bill grew up in Raleigh, NC and attended Athens Drive High School. He lettered in multiple sports, but baseball was always his first love. He played shortstop, right field, and, of course, pitched for his team. He led his team in batting average and recorded 127 strikeouts in 88 innings his senior year. Not surprisingly, he was voted MVP of his high school team, named Wake County AAAA Player of the Year, and was recognized with all-state honors.
Experience
In 1987, Athens Drive High School retired his number 13. He attended Louisburg College in North Carolina on a pitching scholarship where he recorded a 1.3 ERA his freshman year. Because Louisburg College is a junior college, he was eligible for the draft after his first year of college; so, in 1986 the Chicago Cubs drafted Bill in the 8th round. He played in the minor leagues with the Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates for over seven years making it as high as AAA. He was known for his wicked fast ball (clocked as high as 93), but he could also mix it up with a curve ball, change-up, and cut fastball.
Honors
During his professional career, he recorded over 700 strikeouts! Three times, he was invited to participate in the elite instructional league with the other top minor league prospects. In 1990, he was honored with The Lou Kahn Award for being the best Cub role model for sportsmanship and character. Coach Melvin has also been invited to evaluate high school pitching prospects in the highly-regarded Clemson Summer and Winter Specialty Camps for the last 8 years.
About Bill
Behind the Scenes
Outside of baseball, Bill lives in Atlanta and is a dedicated father to identical twin girls, Alex and Aly, and another daughter, Haley. Coach Melvin is an active member of Clairmont Presbyterian Church where he has served on a number of committees and held various leadership positions. After he left baseball, his professional life eventually led him into the insurance industry where he enjoyed a great deal of success; but, his love for baseball and his enthusiasm for working with young people eventually drew him back into the sport.
What Sets Bill Apart
Since he moved to Atlanta in 1991, Bill has worked with over 1300 athletes in private lessons and many more in his camps. Always an advocate for his players, he spends a great deal of time and effort writing referrals and letters of recommendation, making phone calls, or doing whatever it takes to help his kids move on to the next level.
In fact, over 75 of his students have gone on to play college baseball, and more than a dozen have earned the opportunity to play pro ball.
WHAT CLIENTS SAY
"Bill has been an integral part of our lives. He has provided great coaching, injury-prevention techniques for pitching, and mentoring for my three sons. We are a better family for having Bill in our lives!!!"
WHAT CLIENTS SAY
"I have known Coach Mlevin for many years and I am so grateful that he helped shape my path as a coach, parent, fan, and student of baseball... It is not possible for me to recommend Bill Melvin enough. "
WHAT CLIENTS SAY
"Bill Melvin is the top instructor I've been around in nearly half a century of playing through Senior League baseball and coaching. And he's a great guy to hang out with!"