Facts You Should Know About Baseball Pitching

Take what you want and leave the rest

Some of what Mills says makes sense, some of it, I question , but all I can say is if you're having success stick with what your doing and if your not you might give some of these suggestions a try. I for one believe in the momentum theory. I believe lower body strength is important, flexibility, and lots of running is also. Control has to do with alot more than stride and getting closer to the plate. It takes many many hours in the bullpen, lots of running for endurance, arm slot (angle), release point, and command of your pitches. I had a pretty good fastball and a decent slider but the most important part of being an effective pitcher is location location location. Smarter is better. Know your hitters, stay up on the count, get the hitter swinging, throw to his strength early then finish him by making him swing at one out of the zone. Just to clear up any misunderstanding, when I say throw to his strength, what I mean is if he's a pull hitter, bring it inside on his hands, so if he gets his bat on it, he's fouling it off. Now you got him set up, you got him swingin, now make him hit your pitch, the key here is to be ahead in the count. Hope some of this helps, if not LEAVE IT.

 

Excellent advice

 

Pitching

Well said Stopper! There is so much to cover in the "Art of Pitching". That is what is so great about the game of baseball, is that you never stop learning. The Guru's per say on the internet or selling DVDs all have some good points but i do tend to disagree with them with alot of their stuff. I believe there isnt just one balance point, but having balance thru out your delivery makes one consistently successful. It allows a pitcher to have the same release point more often than not. I could spend the rest of the day writing an article here but I just dont have the time....

 

Comments interspersed below.

 

Icing the arm has no proven benefit after pitching.

COMMENT: This is still a topic of debate. I think there was a Japanese study that reached the same conclusion
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This answer cracked me up....great comments across the board

 

Braves....correct me if I'm wrong but this looks like something PlateDad could have put together........

 

Greg Maddux Quote

I read a good interview with Maddux and I still remember this quote:

"Some days you are dealing and all your stuff is working no matter what you throw, all the other days you better be at the knees or you will have a short outing."

 

If it's broke, ice it!

Never been much of a fan of icing the wing. It can't hurt but I don't feel it's necessary. There are exceptions to every rule though, ex. if you're really sore, you might want to strap an ice pack on. In my opinion though, if you are in alot of pain you're putting too much stress on your arm or shoulder, which means you may need to make some changes (mechanics). I've always saig if you pitch with your legs, you'll be fine. The more you run, the faster you'll recover and a proper stretching routine is also important. I'm 50 years old, out of shape and can still throw 150-200 pitches (BP) with very little soreness in my arm or shoulder. I won't comment on how the rest of my body feels!!! I never had any major problems with my arm or shoulder, so this theory has been tested. ( But don't try this at home without your Coach's or Dad's approval!)

 

Yea- I agree. I couldnt believe some of the statements I was reading as well.

 

MTH.....As a father of a kid that pitches in college, who throws in the low to mid 90's.........THANK YOU!!!! You are 100% correct! Unfortunately there are too many people that " know pitching" and kids end up with arm problems. If you didn't know it your comments run pretty much the same as Nolan Ryan. Ever hear of him?