At Oates Specialties, we don't just sell sporting goods; we craft cutting-edge training tools for serious athletes who are committed to being the best they can be. Unlike your typical sporting goods store, we don’t offer generic equipment. We focus on creating durable, high-performance tools that help athletes unlock their full potential.

Our story began in 2001 when Brian Oates, a determined high school pitcher, faced a critical challenge. Struggling with velocity and arm health, he feared his baseball journey might end prematurely without achieving his dream of playing college baseball. Then he met Ron Wolforth—and everything changed.

Ron wasn't your typical baseball coach. He was a visionary, a pioneer who recognized the limitations of traditional training and championed a new approach – one that challenged the very foundations of traditional baseball training.

Ron saw pitchers as athletes, not just pitchers. He emphasized a holistic approach, focusing on how the body moves and interacts with its environment – a concept that resonated deeply with Brian. This wasn't just about throwing a ball; it was about developing athleticism, strength, and resilience. Brian, a driven athlete, immediately recognized the value of Ron's innovative methods and fully committed to this transformative training journey

Robert Oates, Brian’s dad, was deeply invested in his son’s dream. Concerned about athlete safety—especially after Brian’s childhood growth plate injury—Robert followed the training closely. He quickly recognized the transformative benefits of this new approach, setting the stage for Brian’s journey from a struggling high school pitcher to a professional baseball player

As Brian’s training progressed, Ron expressed frustration with the durability and effectiveness of existing equipment. The tools available couldn’t withstand the intensity of Ron’s training regimens and often failed. Driven by a desire to help his son and a belief in Ron's revolutionary approach, Robert embarked on a mission to create better tools. This journey of innovation led to the founding of Oates Specialties in 2003. Ron's philosophy of treating pitchers as athletes, not just pitchers, inspired us to adopt "TAP," standing for "The Athletic Pitcher," as our legacy brand.

Our first product, durable resistance tubing, set the stage for a series of groundbreaking tools. These included:

•  The Shoulder Tube
• Connection Ball
• Throwing Sock
• Max Grip Weighted Balls
• The Connector Throwing Club

These are just a few of the more than 100 tools we’ve created or improved over the years—many of them proprietary—making a lasting impact on the world of athletic training.

As word spread about our tools and Ron’s methods, we connected with like-minded coaches who shared Ron’s vision. These early adopters tested our first-generation tools, providing invaluable feedback that helped us improve and evolve over time. We became part of a community that believed in a better way to train athletes.

This community introduced Robert to incredible people like Page Bishop, a former college pitcher who created the innovative Pitching Pad Targets, and Kelvin Miyahira, a golf expert who introduced Robert to the SpeedChain. Originally designed for golf, SpeedChains had unbelievable benefits for athletes in other sports. We soon added both brands to our product line.

We’re deeply grateful to the many creative innovators who have inspired and guided us. These include:

•  Phil Donley
• Perry Husband
• Wes Johnson
• Kelvin Miyahira
• Paul Nyman
• Dewey Robinson
• Brent Strom
• Randy Sullivan
• Jerry Weinstein
• Ron Wolforth

These visionary individuals, along with many others, have pushed the boundaries of athletic training and provided us invaluable insights. Their knowledge of biomechanics, movement science, and athlete development has been instrumental in refining our products and shaping our approach to training, motivating us to continue refining our tools and techniques to help athletes achieve their best.

In 2009, we revolutionized weighted training with a breakthrough innovation: replacing sand with water in our weighted bags. This simple change introduced unpredictable weight shifts, significantly enhancing body control, strength, and awareness. As Randy Sullivan, a respected physical therapist and baseball coach, observed, “Adding water-filled tools like the Khaos Water Ball transformed our training, improving strength, body awareness, coordination, and mechanics.”

While our roots are in baseball, we believe that athleticism transcends sport. The Pummel Ball, SpeedChains, water bags, and other tools taught Robert that athleticism wasn't limited to one sport. Our tools can be used by athletes in all sports. Whether you’re a:

•  Pitcher perfecting mechanics
• Golfer refining swing dynamics
• Tennis player enhancing core strength
• Volleyball player improving striking skills
• Weekend Warrior preparing for competition

The launch of our Khaos brand in 2016 solidified our commitment to providing cutting-edge training solutions for athletes at every level across all sports.

Robert's experience as an athlete’s parent instilled in him the importance of supporting the entire athletic journey. He understood parents’ anxieties and desire to see their children succeed – safely and effectively. This made him especially committed to helping families support their children’s athletic dreams. Having walked that path with Brian, he was driven to provide parents with the tools and knowledge that would give their young athletes the best chance to reach their full potential. That’s why Oates Specialties goes beyond selling tools—we provide resources and guidance for athletes and parents.

Using the tools his father helped create, Brian overcame his early challenges. He achieved his dream of playing college baseball, then went on to play professionally with the Seattle Mariners. This was especially significant because when Brian was struggling with velocity, the common belief was that velocity was a genetic gift – great pitchers were born, not made. His success story is a testament to the power of hard work and innovative training. It shows the dedication of a player who believed in himself and wanted to succeed in the sport he loved, with the unwavering support of his coach and family.

Several of our products have won the prestigious American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Best of Show award, and many are now trusted by professional athletes and used in professional organizations.

At Oates Specialties, we prioritize quality and innovation over fancy packaging or flashy advertising. Our resources go into:

•  Developing superior products
• Empowering knowledgeable staff
• Providing exceptional customer
  service

Today, Oates Specialties is part of a movement dedicated to helping athletes reach their full potential. We're driven by a shared passion for innovation, collaboration, and excellence. We are sometimes imitated, often copied, but never duplicated when it comes to our commitment to quality, value, and unmatched service.

If you're serious about taking your game to the next level, welcome to the Oates Specialties family.