If a pitcher is throwing 91 mph in the fall, will the warm weather in the spring add more mph? If so why?
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How about throwing harder in the spring because his arm is fresh from time off from throwing. There was a recent article in Baseball America about pitcher's velocity being down up to 5 mph in the fall due to the fatigue of a long season. Or are you looking at the effect humidity has on a pitch?quote:Originally posted by manshine38:
If a pitcher is throwing 91 mph in the fall, will the warm weather in the spring add more mph? If so why?
The velocity out of hand isn't going to be affected by air density. The main thing that is most likely to affect velocity is wind. Once again, there isn't a direct effect at release but the fact that wind affects a pitcher's balance tends to reduce their ability to throw hard. Similarly cold weather can make it difficult for a pitcher to get loose and to get a good grip on the ball thereby reducing velocity.
There might be something to be said for warm weather adding velocity if the pitcher finds it easier to get loose and having better arm action. A pitcher properly warmed up shouldn't see much difference between a warm day and a cold day, however.
I have observed our warm weather pitchers in AZ on 40 degree days, with a stiff breeze and a light rain acting likes its 110 out (shirt sleeves, quick warm up, etc). I chalk this up to being stupid more than the elements. I have posted on 'the stupidity factor effecting velocity' in other forums, but fundamentally the pitcher has to prepare himself to pitch in the elements presented.
You don't see significant velocity differences in a MLB pitcher in Coors Field on a dry, hot summer day versus the same guy in San Diego with a thick fog late at night despite changing elevation by a mile and humidity by maybe 75%.
I think the other factors posted probably make a bigger difference than the weather.
I have observed our warm weather pitchers in AZ on 40 degree days, with a stiff breeze and a light rain acting likes its 110 out (shirt sleeves, quick warm up, etc). I chalk this up to being stupid more than the elements. I have posted on 'the stupidity factor effecting velocity' in other forums, but fundamentally the pitcher has to prepare himself to pitch in the elements presented.
You don't see significant velocity differences in a MLB pitcher in Coors Field on a dry, hot summer day versus the same guy in San Diego with a thick fog late at night despite changing elevation by a mile and humidity by maybe 75%.
I think the other factors posted probably make a bigger difference than the weather.
Cold weather mostly impacts command. It's hard to command with a numb hand.
IMO the pitching distance is too short for the atmosphere to have an effect on the ball.
Whats considered cold?
IMO cold weather does not affect the ball but it does affect the body in many respects which in turn affects velocity or maintaining that velocity.
Areas mainly affected...
legs
core
shoulders
arms
hands
velocity is all about the moving parts working together. If one is out of sync the machine is out of sync. This comes from someone who knows cold intimately
IMO cold weather does not affect the ball but it does affect the body in many respects which in turn affects velocity or maintaining that velocity.
Areas mainly affected...
legs
core
shoulders
arms
hands
velocity is all about the moving parts working together. If one is out of sync the machine is out of sync. This comes from someone who knows cold intimately