Premium Training Equipment Since 2003

Built for serious athletes. Trusted by the Coaches Who Train Them.

Innovating since 2003 Family-owned and Operated, Huntsville TX
Talk to the team 936-295-4459 Real specialists, not a call center
Made for daily program use Designed for continuous reps, every day, every season
100+ implements, organized by goal Arm care, velocity, strength, and recovery

Hey Oates — AI Training Assistant

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Answer a few questions and we’ll point you to the right tools. Built on our own training library and product catalog — not a generic chatbot.

Hey Oates can answer training equipment questions, but cannot give medical advice. For program-specific questions, call or text our team.

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The Gear in Motion

Watch the products in use.

Arm Care · Featured

Shoulder Tube® — the original arm-care movement.

A 90-second look at the tool that started the company — how it loads the rotator cuff and why it has stayed in pro bullpens for two decades.

Education Hub

The science behind the equipment.

Does Lower-Body Strength Increase Pitch Velocity?

Does Lower-Body Strength Increase Pitch Velocity?

Pitchers use their legs, and faster pitchers often show different lower-body forces, muscle size, and test results than slower ones. Both statements...

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Road Less Traveled:  Corbin Burnes - The Work Between Starts
Road Less Traveled

Road Less Traveled: Corbin Burnes - The Work Between Starts

After a season that exposed the limits of talent and adrenaline, Corbin Burnes rebuilt his pitching approach—and the routine he used to...

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How Should Lifting and Throwing Fit Together?

How Should Lifting and Throwing Fit Together?

The fall weight room should build the capacity the season will spend — not become a separate project that leaves a pitcher...

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How Long Does It Take to Build Arm Strength?

How Long Does It Take to Build Arm Strength?

Most pitchers can see measurable changes in shoulder endurance or throwing velocity within 4 to 8 weeks. But no study establishes a...

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Justin Verlander: The Number That Never Moved
Road Less Traveled

Justin Verlander: The Number That Never Moved

He added nearly seven miles an hour in college and walked exactly 43 batters three years running. Different parts of a pitcher...

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The Audit: What Pitcher Is Actually in Front of Me?

The Audit: What Pitcher Is Actually in Front of Me?

Two pitchers can report on the same day, be the same age, and still need different first weeks. One may have thrown...

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Why Can't My Pitcher Stay Healthy?

Why Can't My Pitcher Stay Healthy?

A recurring history does not necessarily mean the athlete is fragile or that one part is broken. It may mean that the...

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What Actually Happens After You Pitch?

What Actually Happens After You Pitch?

A pitcher does not throw with his arm alone. He uses his legs and trunk to create force, transfers that force through...

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Our Story

Born from a son’s dream. Built by a father’s unwavering support.

Founded in 2003. Still in Huntsville, Texas. Still building tools that hold up to the work.

  1. 2003

    The Spark

    Born from a son’s dream. Built by a father’s unwavering support.

    While Brian Oates was training with renowned pitching coach Ron Wolforth, Wolforth told Robert that the equipment they were using simply wasn’t holding up to the demands of their progressive training program. Seeing a clear need for change, Robert Oates went to work—handcrafting tools built to last.

  2. 2003–2007

    Building a Bigger Motor

    Developing explosive athletes and gaining national adoption.

    The early focus centered on building a bigger motor by introducing high-quality tubing to properly warm up and strengthen movement patterns, alongside heavy-duty medicine balls engineered to withstand intent. By 2007, these rugged tools were adopted nationwide by High Schools, Colleges, and MLB organizations, as more and more products started showing up in the bags of elite players.

  3. 2008–2014

    A Paradigm Shift

    Connection and deceleration become a primary focus.

    As training methodologies evolved, a dramatic shift occurred across baseball programs. Revolutionary products like the TAP® Baseball Training Sock, Connection Ball, and TAP® Shoulder Tube® became mainstays, redefining how athletes programmed for arm health and efficiency.

  4. 2015-2020

    Complete System Expansion

    From standalone tools to comprehensive training ecosystems.

    Innovation exploded into diverse, specialized lines. We expanded to offer KHAOS® (our water-filled training device line designed for instability training), SpeedChains® for dynamic variable resistance, and the Pitching Pad® complete line of targets—all seamlessly complementing our foundational TAP® product line.

  5. 2020-Today

    From Voodoo to Mainstream

    How once-fringe training concepts conquered baseball

    The outside world finally caught up. Over the last six years, the baseball community completely embraced high-feedback training, turning once-dismissed concepts into the industry standard. We didn't just watch this evolution—we built the tools driving it. We revolutionized pitch design with YakkerAid and Spinaids, while our water-filled Bulgarian Bag targeted kinetic sequencing through dynamic feedback. To ensure these intense fluid-dynamic tools survived elite daily training, we introduced our ultra-resilient KHAOS® Max material, bringing an industry-leading two-year warranty to our water products.

  6. The FUTURE

    Engineering the future of high-performance athlete development

    100+ tools. One philosophy. Still in Huntsville, Texas.

    From multiple ABCA Best of Show winners to tools trusted daily inside professional organizations, we continue to build the equipment that moves athletic training forward. Our focus remains on pioneering the next generation of gear that helps athletes maximize performance while keeping them healthy.

“Sometimes imitated, often copied, but never duplicated.”
Robert Oates, Founder

Brand Ambassadors

The experts who trust Oates Specialties.

Portrait of Ron Wolforth

Ron Wolforth

Co-Founder and CEO

Texas Baseball Ranch

Montgomery, TX

Portrait of Randy Sullivan

Randy Sullivan

Founder & CEO

Florida Baseball ARMory

Lakeland, FL

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions, straight answers.

What sets Oates Specialties apart from other training equipment companies?

We design and manufacture purpose-built tools for serious athletes, paired with educational content from credentialed coaches and practitioners. Every product is built to support a specific training outcome — not to chase trends. We are a premium product company, not a discount retailer.

Do you offer team and bulk pricing?

Yes. Order subtotals of $500+ receive 10% off, $1,000+ receive 12% off, and $5,000+ receive 15% off. Discounts apply automatically at checkout. For program-level orders, call or text our team at (936) 295-4459.

Are your products used at the professional level?

Yes. Oates Specialties tools — including the Shoulder Tube®, TAP® weighted balls, KHAOS® water products, Connection Ball, Baseball Training Sock, and many more products — are used by professional, collegiate, and high school programs across the country.

Do you provide coaching or training programs?

We are not coaches and we do not provide coaching. We design the equipment and publish educational content through our Education Hub. Athletes and programs apply our tools within their own training systems, supervised by their own coaches.

How do I know which products are right for my athlete or program?

Start with the training outcome you are after — arm care, velocity development, command, conditioning, or recovery — and shop the matching category. Our Education Hub contains protocol guides for each tool. If you need a recommendation for a specific roster or budget, call or text our team.

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