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Long toss affecting arm angle on mound?

ChuckChuck10+ posts
Ive had an issue this year with my velocity dropping about 3-4 mphs, my arm seems flat coming through and most fastballs are up, it seems ive created an arm angle lower than b4 and when i try to adjust my mechanics i still get the same problem, in the past 2 years in college ive switched from being a starter to a reliever and i was also wondering with the lack of mound work and training my arm from the mound also be the source of the problem for the velocity loss along with a mechanical issue? I'm one of those short stocky lefties that gets everything into the pitch (drop and drive) so i tend to rush at times, lately ive noticed that keeping my weight on my back leg helps with consistency of pitches but how can a short guy like me (5 10) get over my front side after keeping weight back until pitch release?
---------------------------- "I hate all hitters. I start a game mad and end it mad."
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T thepainguy1,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by Chuck:
Ive had an issue this year with my velocity dropping about 3-4 mphs, my arm seems flat coming through and most fastballs are up, it seems ive created an arm angle lower than b4 and when i try to adjust my mechanics i still get the same problem, in the past 2 years in college ive switched from being a starter to a reliever and i was also wondering with the lack of mound work and training my arm from the mound also be the source of the problem for the velocity loss along with a mechanical issue? I'm one of those short stocky lefties that gets everything into the pitch (drop and drive) so i tend to rush at times, lately ive noticed that keeping my weight on my back leg helps with consistency of pitches but how can a short guy like me (5 10) get over my front side after keeping weight back until pitch release?


Consistently elevating the ball sounds like rushing to me. Rushing is a timing problem, and can be made worse by a lack of practice.

Do you have a video of yourself throwing?

Also, are you having any unusual pain or soreness in your shoulder? Have you been to a doctor or trainer recently?

If not, you ought to have someone look at your shoulder (especially your Labrum).

I don't mean to scare you, but you ought to get this checked out.

As I said in another thread ("Can't Find The Velocity"), an unexplained velocity drop can be a sign of a Labrum problem. In my experience guys with rushing problems (e.g. Kerry Wood and Robb Nen) are more vulnerable to Labrum problems than average.
Last edited by thepainguy
ChuckChuck10+ posts
no problem in my shoulder area at all I can consistently go out and long toss everyday, ive been doing constant rehab exercises every day on my shoulder, only problem i had was my elbow bothering me which was some tricep tendonitis which is almost completely gone now, I play D1 ball at Minnesota so i see my trainer everyday
T thepainguy1,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by Chuck:
no problem in my shoulder area at all I can consistently go out and long toss everyday, ive been doing constant rehab exercises every day on my shoulder, only problem i had was my elbow bothering me which was some tricep tendonitis which is almost completely gone now, I play D1 ball at Minnesota so i see my trainer everyday


The "drive" part of the drop and drive could be part of the problem. You could be getting into foot plant just slightly too quickly and/or getting your hips rotating too soon.

When I'm working with or scouting guys, the thing I look for and focus on is getting the hips rotating well ahead of the shoulders like this...



In some cases trying to drive off of the rubber can interfere with this process by getting the hips rotating too soon.


quote:
Originally posted by Chuck:
Lately ive noticed that keeping my weight on my back leg helps with consistency of pitches but how can a short guy like me (5 10) get over my front side after keeping weight back until pitch release?


How's your velocity when you try to keep your weight back? I can see how this could improve your timing.
H HattrickMember
Chuck,
What does your pitching coach say? From what I hear, he has a pretty good reputation among the college coaching fraternity. If you're not satisfied with his input, maybe you could try contacting someone like Glen Perkins, an ex-Gopher and a leftie like you. He may be busy now at the Twins camp, but I'd be surprised if he wouldn't offer to help if you asked.

Go Gold!
T thepainguy1,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by Bum:
Very interesting commentary.. great stuff! Question: Do pitchers who fail to rotate their hips before their shoulder by definition "fly open"?


Depends how you define it and what level you are talking about.

Many kids have a problem with flying open with the glove in which their glove goes out to the side (and then behind their back) rather than into the chest. That slows down the rate at which their shoulders rotate. Very few pros do this (except for Kiko Calero).

I classify hips rotating ahead of the shoulders a little differently; as a lack of separation. A guy can achieve some separation but still fly open by turning the shoulders too soon. However, if your shoulders fly open then you won't maximize your separation (as Casey Fossum does).

So I guess I'm saying that they are two different, but related, problems.

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