The problem is it's hard to measure what's inside the player. I played Legion ball with a top draft choice. My father told me he would never make it. I was shocked. My father said he lacked balls. He guaranteed when the going got tough he would fold. A couple of guys his age with less talent passed him and had respectable MLB carriers. These two guys were what you would call grinders.
Originally Posted by PGStaff:
You ever see a race horse gritting his teeth while running? Most have their mouth flopping around loosely.
I actually believe that gritting your teeth tightens muscles used for any type of speed. That includes running, throwing and hitting. It also has a negative effect on eye sight.
Back in my previous life I used to take binoculars to games so I could get a good look at the pitchers face when delivering the baseball. It's not so much the grimace as it is the tightness. Believe it or not, it is possible and even common to make some very strange faces, even grimace, when throwing a baseball while still staying loose mouthed.
Interesting.
I remember reading a little article (or was it an ad?) about pitchers using mouth pieces and velo increasing. I ignored because it seemed like nonsense. Maybe this relates to what you are saying here.