Thursday, June 25, 2009

Why You Need Good Mechanics as a Pitcher

By Dan Gazaway

Those pitchers who have sound pitching mechanics will reap many benefits on the mound. Here are some of the advantages pitchers can enjoy if they throw the ball with proper technique and a solid delivery.

When a pitcher can use the right technique they minimize the risk of injury to their throwing arm. It makes perfect sense as to why it would decrease chances of injury, even if we take the science of pitching out of it. You see, most pitchers throw too much with their arms and not with their bodies. When every part of their body is working in sync with each other and working in the right direction they have the right kind of momentum moving forward. Pitchers should really get a lot of their power from their legs, hips and shoulders.

Another reason pitchers are so eager to learn how to throw the ball correctly is having the ability to pitch faster. If you are using all parts of your body, and each movement is in sync with each other, you will have more power. As a pitcher, you need to get the kinetic chain moving in the right direction.

Another benefit for pitchers that throw properly is discovering the talent of pin point control. Those pitchers who seem to paint the corners and have great command of every one of their pitches keep their momentum moving toward home plate until release of the baseball. Pitchers can feel pain in their arms when their momentum changes away from their target.

More chances of success with off speed pitches: First and foremost, if your pitching mechanics change every time you throw something different, you are just tipping off the batter. Eventually the other team will catch on to what you are throwing and you will not last long. You will also find if you keep your glove out in front of your body, helping to maintain your balance longer, you will release the baseball further out in front of you causing more rotation on the ball. Of course, that can only happen if your wrist and forearm angles are correct at release. - 16887

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