How important is Pitching Velocity

I understand that side of the argument, but I am not fully sold....on the trajectory part.

An over-the-top heater is gonna move which way? Up. It'll be a rising fastball. That would seem to offset the trajectory effect. Also, if the trajectory effect were so important, I think we'd see more of it. Instead, the trend du jour seems to be more focused on splittys, cutters and two-seamers that are usually thrown from an angle closer to 3/4 (I am sure some pitchers throw some of these pitches over the top, I said "usually")

In theory, the more a pitcher can create angles the better.  And of course, the shorter distance is also an advantage.  However, this simply doesn't work for most pitchers.  To create the most down angle possible a pitcher would need to s throw straight over the top.  That slot usually works best for the good 12-6 curve ball, as well.  However most pitchers throw from a 3/4 slot.  There are many reasons for that which I could mention, but won't take the time now.

The height of the pitcher doesn't always create the shortest distance.  Several shorter pitchers have very long strides and some taller pitchers don't.  Randy Johnson was one of the tallest and best pitchers in baseball.  He threw from a low 3/4 release point with a  big angle to the plate.  His slider fastball combination had great movement and velocity along with a drastic angle to the plate.  Tall with extremely long limbs the ball was coming out of his hand at a different location than any other pitcher.  He would create a very different angle along with having a 100 mph fastball and 90+ slider. In other words he used his height in a different way.

All that said, Wacha is a tall pitcher that uses his height to create a severe downward angle.  Many pitchers make their living throwing sinkers.  The more the ball is thrown down hill to begin with, the harder it becomes to square up anything that sinks.  It also helps the high fastball by making it harder to identify early.  Big advantage, but not everyone can do it.  Most have better control and more movement from a lower arm angle.

To me, for a pitcher to be successful he needs to have one of two things.  He either has more "talent" and "intelligence" than other pitchers.  Or he needs to be different than everyone else.

All you really have to do on the trajectory thing is draw yourself 2 pictures...one with a sharper downward angle from pitcher to batter vs. one with a flatter angle and decide for yourself how a pitcher has a slight advantage with the sharper angle...at least in the vertical plane.  Truthfully, its the same reasoning as to why splitters and sliders are tough to hit..."angles are important" as PGStaff says.

While the term is often thrown out by broadcasters, there is no such thing as a "rising fastball" in a true sense.  Physically impossible.

But here is a decent explanation of what many are perceiving:

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs...-like-on-a-fastball/

BTW, "late break" is another misnomer:

http://www.baseballprospectus.....php?articleid=19994

I can buy into that explanation, PG. Thanks.

And I got time to learn why most pitchers do not throw over-the-top, if you got the time to explain

Thanks, 3FG. The effect is even greater than I would have anticipated.

Note to dads with young aspiring pitchers: the longer your kid can stride, without adversely affecting other parts of his delivery, the less time the batter will have to recognize the pitch......compared to other young pitchers who throw just as hard

Green Light,

From a simple control standpoint 3/4 has an advantage just because of the angle.  If you took the strike zone box and drew the arm angle through it, you would see that 3/4 is the largest area to throw to.  Upper corner to opposite low corner is more a distance than top and bottom and even more than sidearm side to side.

For most pitchers it is easier to create movement on certain pitches, specifically the slider and two seam fast ball.  Easier to sink the ball! The advantage in straight over the top is throwing the 12-6 curve ball.  But 2 plane break is easier with 3/4 because the spin at release is more from the side.

Not sure if any of that makes sense to anyone else, but I understand it.   Then again, I have been proven wrong many times. 

The Australian pitchers all throw 3/4 angle. very predictable for our hitters.

The pitching coaches, many former pro players teach this style and the pitchers respond.

The hitters all have the 3/4 angle bat.

It is similar to the Japanese style of OH. Like two flamingos - pitcher and hitter.

We can learn from all teachers. the end result is success and "proper thinking".

Bob