"Live, Loose Arm"

MrandMrsBaseball1,000+ posts

Could someone please explain to me what exactly this phrase (or seperated into loose arm and live arm) mean in a scouting report? I've seen it several places but don't really know what it means.

_______________________
"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." Rogers Hornsby, Hall of Famer

1/14/049:54 PM

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Coach May1,000+ posts

Around here a live loose arm means the ball jumps out of the hand (live arm). Loose means that the kid has a very smooth or non mechanical delivery. Its a compliment when someone says it if they understand what they are saying.

1/14/0411:19 PM

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CADad5,000+ posts

For example, Ken Hill if you remember him had a live arm. He didn't, IMO, have a loose arm at all. Based on descriptions, Satchel Paige had a live arm and was the epitome of having a loose arm.

On a more current basis I'd say that Foulke doesn't have a loose arm, however his motion makes the change-up harder to pick up. Some may disagree with me on this one, but I'd say that Troy Percival has a live arm but not necessarily what I'd call a loose arm.

I'm not that familiar with his motion, but I'd rate Rivera as having both a live arm and a loose arm.

1/15/0410:41 AM

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mittman100+ posts

live arm= good velocity out of the hand without a lot of exertion. usually do to arm speed.
loose arm= the fluidity of the motion. effortless mechanics, good whipping action.

1/15/0411:47 AM

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NYdad500+ posts

Where would the term "good arm action" fit into the equation.

"On two legs, Mickey Mantle would have been the greatest ballplayer who ever lived." - Nellie Fox

1/15/0412:41 PM

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