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Report from Jaeger pitchers camp

BOFBOF10,000+ posts
OK just got back from the Jaeger pitchers camp and thought I would pass on a few tidbits to the pitching group.

Saw the most amazing display of long toss I have ever seen in my life. Alex Merricks, lefty who was drafted by the Twins in 2002 and had played in their Minor leagues and washed out because he could not throw strikes. (maybe for other issues…don’t really know) He was reported to be throwing low 90’s back then. Anyway, he has worked his way back in shape through independent ball and with the help of the Alan Jaeger and is now throwing in mid to upper 90’s. He was long tossing OVER 350 ft. We were laughing since none of us could hit a fungo that far. His bullpen was amazing, we did not have a gun but I have never seen anyone throw a baseball that hard. Really impressive! He has been picked up by the Mets this year so lets hope for him that he is able to succeed this time around. Good luck to this young. Just shows you no matter how hard you throw you must have command with the velocity.

Barry Zito stopped by and talked about last year and talked about the impact of a big contract and getting caught up in trying to fit into an organizational approach to pitching impacted his performance. The big contract had him focusing on winning to justify the money and took him away from his focused pitch by – pitch - focused mental approach as well as just having fun with baseball. He also said that he tried to fit into the Giants way of pitchers throwing and took him away from what developed his arm strength, long tossing to maximum distance. I remember seeing him early in the year and the commentators were talking about his lack of FB velocity. Will be interesting to see how he does this year.

Jim Vatcher talked about the importance of arm strength, particularly for small stature players like him. He was overlooked by all scouts except one who invited him out to throw from right field to third and home. This was his ONLY opportunity and he was signed because he was able to perform Shows how important it is to perform when you get an opportunity and the importance of arm strength. Jim is in his 40’s now and says he can pitch 9 innings and then after one day rest go out and pitch again.

Happy New Year to all the pitchers out there!
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N ncball100+ posts
They already do sell out and Barry rarely touched 90 ever. He would sit 86-89 where last year he dropped 4 mph. The lack of prep cause a drop in velo which meant no variance from fastball to off-speed as well as not locating due to a change in mechanics. Coupled along with paralysis by analysis, he was doomed.
Last edited by ncball
BOFBOF10,000+ posts
In my uninformed opinion I think ncball is right on with Zito. He was a 85+ pitcher who dropped to the lower 80's, most likely by getting out of his throwing routine, as well as he lost his mental focus and got caught up with the big money expectations….no one can understand the circus of major league baseball and the expectations of a $128M dollar contract unless you actually live through it.(I know a nice problem to have) I just think it all unraveled on him. Will be an interesting story line for the 2009 season.

Weaver if you are throwing at 120+ yds you should be 95+… so check your actual distance you are long tossing. You can get a correlation on distance thrown and velocity using this link.

http://faculty.tcc.fl.edu/scma/carrj/Java/baseball4.html

I admit I am a Jaeger bigot and his program is about proper arm care through warm up, bands, long toss, good mechanics, and proper mental preparation. Bands are one component. If you can’t get to one of his clinics the thrive on throwing DVD is the next best option.
BumBum1,000+ posts
Weaver, long toss reinforces a consistent arm slot, enhances arm speed, and builds arm strength to keep your arm healthy. To translate long-toss into pitching, it becomes more complicated.

Pitching is a kinetic chain. If you have proper mechanics, a consistent arm slot, a strong arm, good arm speed.. you can throw hard but still be "off" with your command.

IMHO it is probably a timing issue you're having. Talk to your instructor about it (proper timing). For example, don't pause at the balance point (this mutes momentum). Also, your motion should be in three equal sequences: The time to balance point = the time to foot plant = the time to release.

Here is the Jaeger Long-Toss Method. It also talks about the "pull-down" which solidifies the release point.

Jaeger Long Toss (You Tube)
RobVRobV100+ posts
Some good stuff Bum.

quote:
Originally posted by Bum:
Also, your motion should be in three equal sequences: The time to balance point = the time to foot plant = the time to release.


With all due respect I don't think that this is correct. The time after footplant is much quicker (and more explosive) than the time when you are "loading up" to throw. At least it should be.

There is a video clip somewhere of Nolan Ryan (with still frame "snap shots" as the video runs) that clearly shows that after leg lift (as he moves out down the ramp) his speed and tempo picks up all the way to release. Essentially the space between each "still" in the video gets larger showing this effect.

This demonstrates his increase in tempo (covering more "space" in the same amount of time/frames).

The time from footplant to release is very short (as compared to your other 2 components you mentioned which are pretty close to each other).
Last edited by RobV
BOFBOF10,000+ posts
I think we have a couple of night owls here.

Weaver if you are throwing at 93 you are clearly in the elite class, congratulations. The actual distance thrown to velocity is based on the temp, humity, ball spin, altititude so you are close to the expected distance for your vel. You can easily be off 10' on measuring release point and landing point. Must be fun to watch you throw!

I am not sure how much you are long tossing, but if you are not doing it every other day (or more) then you should have a little more upside on your vel.

I agree with RobV with Ryan and his acceleration. He was constantly accelerating to release point so it makes perfect sense that there would be a continually shorter time period with a frame by frame view.

I had two different coaches at pitching camps over the holidays tell my son to do just what Rob noted about Ryan - to be more explosive in the last part of his motion.
W Weaver10+ posts
I live in Chicago, so I am not really able to get out an long toss every often during this time.

I have been taught several different throwing motions by my coach over the past three years at school, and frankly whenever I go back to my own way of pitching during the summer leagues, is when I seem to do best.
Last year our coach had us "rush down the mound" as he would put it. This is kind of hard to even explain as it is so far of base from everything else I've heard about pitching. Let's say that he thought I was doing well until I gave him pictures of me with my back foot off the ground with the ball not being close to release yet.
I do agree with the more explosive towards the end of the motion, as I believe that is what I do in my "summer" motion.
W Weaver10+ posts
That would make sense but thats not even the case. He's just possibly the worst handler of arms in the country. Our workouts were horror stories. He resigned this year and our pitching staff has never been happier.
One of my friends graduated early just so that he did not have to play his 4th year. He dropped from 88 to 68 in a single start and told coach that his arm was in severe pain. Our coach believed that there was no way this was possible and that it must just be soreness because his "form" looked so good. After the season, and a few more innings logged, he got an MRI. He has a torn labrum and no cartilage left in his shoulder, so it was bone grinding on bone. We've also had multiple torn UCLs. I can only hope the odd feelings in my shoulder and elbow are nothing serious.

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