quote:
Originally posted by BaseballsMyGame:
Good god, thank you PiC. What's overloading? I don't do any T work since I don't own a T.
EDIT: I don't see what the throwing thing will do if my mechanics are messed up. It'll make everything worse if I can't get correct.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
See #1
Means throwing the ball at a distance that you can't hit the target on a fly and where you overthrow beyond your current capability. Just make sure you keep your head up...front shoulder lined up and front foot pointed directly at the target prior to your throw, and nose and belt buckle aligned with the target at the release of the ball (hips completely open at time of release of your throw).
If your throwing mechanics need correction see your coach. Otherwise you need to understand that throwing involves the four quadrants of the body. The natural motion involves stepping forward to gain momentum, allowing your hands to drop naturally all the way down to your groin and out to a "T" then making sure your throwing hand is turned away from your body, and the glove hand is inverted so your pinky finger is pointed upward toward the sky.
It is at the "T" point that most players get into trouble. It is critical at this point that the legs be completely opened and aligned with the target, front to back, and your arms are straight out from your shoulders. It is critical that you allow your hands to completely relax so that the ball hand is allowed to naturally droop with the ball, and the glove hand naturally droops somewhat.
Take a deep breath exhale and throw the ball by pulling your glove hand down and into your chest area (do not allow your glove to go past your hip, that is called flying open). And bringing your ball hand through in this sequence.
Shoulder first, then the elbow, then the hand.
Make sure you keep the wrist absolutely relaxed and your fingers on top of the ball.
Allow your forward momentum to bring your body forward naturally and keep your front knee slightly bent. That helps with your balance. Follow through by allowing your back foot to swing up and over so that your back side foot goes higher than your head. Bring your throwing hand down so that the backside of your throwing arm ends up in front of your knee opposite of your throwing shoulder.
Follow these instructions and your mechanics will improve, but you must get in front of a mirror and watch your self practice them.
Finally go to Borders and order the Book by Spanky McFarland called Coaching Pitching. The book is not jsut about pitching mechanics but covers the proper throwing mechanics for all positions.