Chuck Crim makes a Pitch for the Future of Baseball!

Chuck Crim grew up in Southern California, following in his mother's baseball footsteps...(she was an exceptional fast-pitch ballplayer in her day!). Chuck was a California All-Star and led his Thousand Oaks High School Lancers to the C.I.F. playoffs.

Though he was drafted as the 2nd pick of the Chicago Cubs in 1979, he opted for a full-scholarship to the University of Hawaii as a starting pitcher. The Aloha Spirit blessed Chuck, where he led the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors to the College World Series in 1980, with his rookie 15-0 record. As a freshman, Chuck was an honored member of the 1980 USA All-Star Team (Olympic equivalent prior to baseball in the Olympic competitions), as well as receiving NCAA All-American Honors.

Chuck signed to play Professional Baseball in 1982 with the Milwaukee Brewers and spent 5 years developing in their minor league system, leading leagues in complete games and winning both the Texas League and the Pacific Coast League Championships. He was called up to the Big Leagues in 1987, making the team out of Spring Training in a Cinderella story of success.

He holds two of the Brewer victories in a record setting 1987 season opener with 13 wins and 0 losses. Chuck led the American League in Pitching Appearances in 1988 and 1989, nearly doing so again in 1990 (hindered by a torn ribcage muscle). He was rated "TOP Set-Up Man" by Sporting News 1988-1990 and remains on the Brewer's All-Time Leaders List.

In the winter of 1991, after 5 very successful years at the Major League level with the Brewers, just as he was coming up for free agency, Chuck was traded to the California Angels. He had done so well that he played himself out of the small market finances of the Brewers, who couldn't afford to negotiate against other more financially secure organziations, so rather than losing the investment in Chuck, the Brewers opted for a trade to the California Angels, and received two players in return.

Chuck enjoyed the prospect of coming back to his home state and having the opportunity to play in front of family and friends, which he did through the 1993 season. It was a season of difficult circumstances, many surrounding Chuck's battle with a nagging shoulder injury.

The season was further hampered by an unfortunate bus accident that occurred as the Angels traveled from New York to Baltimore. Chuck narrowly escaped the accident himself, changing buses at the last minute to join a card game on the other bus with some teammates, while those on bus #1 fell victim to a driver falling asleep at the wheel.

Several players and coaches were injured in the accident, the most severe being manager Buck Rogers who spent over a month in the hospital undergoing surgery. After the accident, with assistant coach Marcel Lachman at the helm in Buck Rogers absence, Chuck had great success. However, at the return of Rogers, Chuck found himself sitting on the bench for weeks at a time, and the writing was on the wall.

After a stellar performance out of the bullpen in Seattle against the Mariners, Buck Rodgers released Chuck, who then went home to rehabilitate his shoulder for the next phase of his career.

In 1994 Chuck signed with America's "Sweetheart" team, the Chicago Cubs, playing once again for his Brewers manager and baseball guru, Tom Trebelhorn. It was an amazing season, with a complete rehabilitation of his shoulder injury. It was astounding to play in legendary Wrigley Field with such tremendous support from the community, and to get to know Harry Carey on a daily basis! Everything looked as though it couldn't be more perfect....then came the Baseball Strike.

Having always been a "team player Chuck supported his union and unfortunately ended up a free-agent casualty of the Baseball Strike. It was so disheartening that he retired from Major League Baseball at the top of his game, to follow another lifelong dream...to fish the B.A.S.S. fishing tournament circuit.

In 1996 Chuck became the pitching director for SHO-ME Baseball Camp, a legendary instructional camp in Branson Missouri. Working with up to 80 kids per week, Chuck honed his coaching and analysis skills, as well as deepening his own understanding of the intricacies of the game. At SHO-ME he coached with such greats as Gaylord Perry, Steve Garvey, and Ozzie Smith, and remained there for 6 years before moving back to Southern California.

Chuck's 13 years in professional baseball was a dream come true, but one that was only acheived through incredibly hard work and determination. He learned what it takes to succeed and honed his skills, playing with...talking to...and studying Hall of Famers such as Robin Yount and Paul Molitor, pitching with success against such greats as Cal Ripkin Jr. and Mark McGuire.

Chuck retired from the position of Head Varsity Baseball Coach at Canyon High School in Canyon Country, California, in 2005, where for 3 years he coached 70+ players in his baseball program. Chuck spent two summers mentoring players through a charity organization called Players of Promise, and continues to help players with a desire to take their game to the next level with private pitching instruction.

In the fall of 2006, another one of Chuck's dreams came true...he was hired by the Los Angeles Dodgers, his childhood dream team. Though he wouldn't be playing, he felt privileged to be hired as the Southern/Mid California area scout. Not only is it great for Chuck to be back in professional baseball, but more importantly, he is grateful for the opportunity to provide the chance of a lifetime to talented players of the future who dream of playing Major League Baseball one day, and deserve the chance to prove it.

It was just a matter of time for the Dodgers to discover where Chuck's extraordinary talents truly lie. In 2009, in addition to his scouting duties, Chuck coached for the Dodgers Organization's minor league rookie ball team in Ogden Utah. He was anxious to pass on his expertise and share tools and tricks of the trade with the young men who can hopefully turn that information into viable major league careers. It was a very successful season for Chuck's Raptors Pitching Staff.

In 2010, Chuck was assigned to the Dodgers' A-ball team the Great Lakes Loons in Midland Michigan. His pitching staff, many of whom were on his rookie ball staff, played in Michigan with him and continued to develop their insight and skill under Chuck's instruction and mentoring.

Chuck's passion for the intricacies of pitching have led him to be a true student of the game, even today. There is not a day that goes by that he isn't learning something about the game. He is a Pitching Guru in every sense of the word, and now, through the 24-hour interactive website he has developed UltimatePitchingCoach.com for Pitchers of All Ages & Skill Levels from Youth Leagues to the Pros, Coaches, Parents, & Baseball Enthusiasts, can get unprecedented access to lessons and forum interaction with Coach Crim & other Qualified Professionals.

Home Page