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9 replies

LHP looking for some help.

H HardWorkingLHPMember
Hey All, I am turning 22 and am currently playing in one of the more prestigious college summer baseball leagues around. Previous to this year I had not pitched in a game situation in around 2.5 years. I had been throwing bullpens off and on during that time, and took no longer then 4 months off at any point. This time off was due to Injury miss diagnosis, and taking a year out from college. In January 2009 I topped out at 92 MPH in a bullpen. This college season I was awful, my control was erratic, and velocity was inconsistent, ranging anywhere from 85-92 MPH depending on the outing. I was uncomfortable on the mound and lost all confidence in locating my fastball and off-speed pitches. I made this summer league as I threw upper 80's last fall during the tryout(That fall I had not thrown more then once a week). Anyway as the league has started I have finally felt comfortable on the mound, regaining command of my fastball, and the ability to throw my offspeed pitches for strikes, and sharp. However my velocity has remained inconsistent. I am a reliever and my first 2 outings I was 88-91, then I dropped to 84-86 Then back up to 87-88. I thought I just needed to throw more long toss to increase arm strength, however this has set me back even further. My arm feels fine, however last night( first time that I was in front of scouts) my fastball was 82-85. Being a 21 year old pitcher this is not good enough, especially since I recently have been up to the low 90's. I have been throwing every day and understand rest is necessary. My innings are not out of control, 13 innings from june 10th through today July 10th. I am assuming I am just going through a period of dead arm, and should take time off from throwing. However because I do not go to a top tier D1 school I very rarely am afforded the opportunity to throw in front of scouts, and do not want to pass on this opportunity. I am wondering if anyone has any advice on how to get past this period of dead arm while still throwing(maybe cut back on non appearance throwing as I have been long tossing almost every day) and also if I need to shut it down for a little while(only 20 games left in the season) should I do this even though it would be passing on a potential opportunity to get seen?
Thank you for any help.
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H HardWorkingLHPMember
Some things to add. I have been following my schools summer lifting program, and have been doing bandwork and extensive stretching everyday. Lifting program is 5 times a week with weights, and cardio included. If anyone has any help on things I should do right now to help with this "dead Arm" and also things I could do in the offseason to improve velocity consistency it would be greatly appreciated.
T ThinkPitching100+ posts
First and foremost, don't panic. I know the pressure you are going through when throwing in front of scouts. You've already shown that you can throw in the 90's, that hasn't gone away. It’s your path to getting there that is off. It will happen again.

You mention that you think you may be going through a dead arm period. That is very possible, but don't rule it to be just that. Not to complicate things further, but your mechanics could be out of sync. Timing, balance, arm slot, etc... These are all things you should look into. If you have video, you should review your mechanics now compared to when you were hitting the 90's.

It also sounds like you could be conditioning too much. Lifting 5 times a week is an off-season program, and I worry you are setting yourself up for injury, and depleting a lot of your energy that you need right now to compete in a everyday relief role, much less the summer heat. This could be a situation where less is more.

Lastly, make sure you are not on the mound to only light up radar guns. A trap that pitchers will sometimes run into when they do this is “muscling up” their fastballs. When the body is tense, it can sometimes slow down. Keep your delivery smooth and easy while hitting your checkpoints, and explode at the end.

Just some of my thoughts. Best of luck to you for the rest of the season.

Stu
Last edited by ThinkPitching
H HardWorkingLHPMember
Thank you for the advice. I will look into mechanics, although I feel I am actually on point with them. For the first time in a while my last 5 outings or so I have had great fastball command, and my off speed pitches have been pretty darn good as well. I may be "muscling up" and fatigue could play a part in it. I lifted arms saturday(band work, shoulder work and back work), and am taking today off. I didnt throw either days as well, hopefully I will be able to throw better on monday. It is just a sickening feeling when ur striking high level hitters out, yet you see the scout put his gun down after 8 pitches or so.
H HardWorkingLHPMember
quote:
Originally posted by ThinkPitching:

Keep your delivery smooth and easy while hitting your checkpoints, and explode at the end.

Stu


I have a question regarding my mechanics. I have been hitting my checkpoints(glove side closed, weight on ball of balance leg, ect ect) and have been smooth. I could have an issue with arm slot(because I cant feel that on my own) however my question arises with the exploding at the end. Being 5'10 a very solid 190 with most of the weight in my legs, I need them to be point on to throw my best. With regards to exploding off the push off leg how would u describe that? a push from the back leg to jump out as far as I can? or is it more of a push to get out far, yet also be mindful of getting out infront of my lead leg? my last outing which was my slowest velocities I mixed it up and tried to extend my stride with more of an explosive jump. My motion was still smooth but I am wondering if I almost put too much of an emphasis in my legs?
NIC15NIC15100+ posts
My advice for you as I always tell all of my pitchers in regards to the dead arm situation is to Shut it Down. Reason being, is you potentially could be doing more harm than good in more ways than 1. Physically, Mentally, and if you are throwing and a Scout happens to see you, what good are you going to be if you are not on top of your game, with your best stuff?

And when you say it's a sickening feeling when you see a Pro Scout put their gun down after 8 Pitches, dont worry about it. 8 Pitches is all I have needed to see a kid sometimes. Hang in there you will be just fine.
RT Roger Tomas100+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by HardWorkingLHP:
With regards to exploding off the push off leg how would u describe that? a push from the back leg to jump out as far as I can? or is it more of a push to get out far, yet also be mindful of getting out infront of my lead leg?

I would describe the push being a sideways push by the pivot leg/foot against the ground/rubber to initiate forward movement towards the target. The push takes place in the hip abductor. Some will say there is also an extension of the ankle right before it turns over.

quote:
my last outing which was my slowest velocities I mixed it up and tried to extend my stride with more of an explosive jump. My motion was still smooth but I am wondering if I almost put too much of an emphasis in my legs?

There are right ways and wrong ways to try to extend your stride. Try putting your focus on getting your hips moving earlier and faster. You've also got to avoid doing those things that lead to early rotation (i.e. failing to take care of posture and glove).

Of course, take this with a grain of salt because without actually seeing you pitch, I'm just talking out my backside. Wink
Last edited by Roger Tomas
T ThinkPitching100+ posts
quote:

You've also got to avoid doing those things that lead to early rotation (i.e. failing to take care of posture and glove).

Of course, take this with a grain of salt because without actually seeing you pitch, I'm just talking out my backside. Wink


Good thoughts.

Roger's point in particular is spot on. This is most commonly mentioned as not, "flying open". In my career when my velocity dropped, that usually was my first point that I investigated as my glove side had a mind of it's own.

Stu
H HardWorkingLHPMember
Again, thank you all for the input. Just to give you an update I lifted arms saturday, and went light lift wed, while resting and only LIGHT tossing in between. When I lifted yesterday I could tell noticeable weakness in my left arm, not pain, just weak.... leading me to believe I have dead arm. I plan to only do light band work and stretching. I threw today and resting seemed to help as I was throwing consistantly harder then low 80's. I was 84-87 however sitting around 86-87... I still have a long way to go. I got someone to video tape me and I will post it when it is uploaded, however my motion looks smooth and fluid. With all the worrying I am doing I have thrown 9 shut out innings in a row and have a chance to be moved from middle to late relief.

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