natural arm slot

Go for the 88-93 arm slot.

from the outfield it is 89-93 but on the mound im not so sure, and I know its alot straighter because my fastball from the low 3/4 / sidearm has alot of movement

Why can't you use both? I think primarily you should go with whatever gives you more speed, but when you're ahead in the count, drop your arm angle a little and have the ball tail off the plate a little- let em chase.

quote:

Originally posted by Catch43:
Why can't you use both? I think primarily you should go with whatever gives you more speed, but when you're ahead in the count, drop your arm angle a little and have the ball tail off the plate a little- let em chase.

No, absolutely not! Varying arm slots for most pitchers is a recipe for disaster. There are many who have been successful doing this, but for most it is a sure way to guarantee inconsistency in performance and wash out of the game. Not only will you struggle with walks, but you lose the potential advantage of deception as you will begin to tip your pitches. A repeatable delivery should be coveted.

The high-3/4 arm slot is superior for maximum velocity and movement. The low-3/4 arm slot may--and I mean MAY--result in lower velocity but result in greater movement. Bum, Jr. is a high-3/4 guy and the #2 pitcher on his h.s. staff is a low-3/4 guy. Both are signed D1. Both slots are acceptable and there is no need to change slots.. but DO NOT vary between slots.

quote:

Originally posted by Throw90+:
.......I've read a couple articles that say to bring a kid to short stop and have him throw to first base, and then bring him to the outfield and have him throw home.

Good question. The infield and outfield throws have two different goals. The infield throw is requiring a quick unload/release and usually ends up as a lower arm/elbow slot to do so, depending on the position of the infield catching posture and time required to make the out. Movement is of little consequence. The outfield throw requires a much straighter line rope throw where a higher arm/elbow slot is required to reduce the amount of run on the throw.

Try to concentrate on long toss or outfield throw arm/elbow slot. The infield test is a very deceiving indicator as to someones natural arm slot simply because of the numerous body postures that can be implemented to release the ball quickly.....the velocity part of the infield throw is of less importance....quickness in the infield is the goal, so that's what the brain and body are trying to achieve, and will compensate to do so.

And don't be afraid to mix in a different arm slot during an outing. If you practice the different look enough, it can be beneficial once or twice a game. Just ask anyone old like me how they limit the stress on their shoulder when playing catch.....they drop their throwing shoulder and throw from a very low arm/elbow slot.

Bum,

I don't see why mixing up arm slots is so bad. Yea, you may tip your pitches, but obviously you must make sure you don't. If you mix up your arm slots, it gives you 1-2 more pitches.

Like what cap_n said, mix it in here and there in a game. For example, the first few innings, your out pitch can be the low 3/4 fastball. Now batters know what to expect when you drop your arm slot- but if suddenly you have 2 strike count, you drop arm slot, and throw a slider- that is a very effective way of keeping the hitters off balance. If you know what the batters expect, then you know how to get them out.

BUM is right on this one.

It is hard enough to get control over pitches with one arm slot. Try to add in two (or three...) and the combinations are too numerous. Your just asking for trouble.

Agree with Bum, especially about the MAY...

My son used to have a 3/4 arm slot and then after a very long layoff came back with a low 3/4 arm slot. I think that was due to the shoulder not being fully built up for the velocity he had after the long layoff. Right now he seems to be gravitating back toward more of a pure 3/4 arm slot but the tendency to slip back to the low 3/4 slot at times has hurt his consistency.

The same velocity can be achieved from the low 3/4 as the high 3/4.

Some pitchers can use multiple arm slots with no problems. Most never try. Some don't practice enough from the alternate arm slots, so they don't know if they could do it successfully.