how can i learn the perfect pitching mechanics for baseball?
475619
Lesson #2: Mechanics that Matter \nThe buzz lately is that maybe we're all overteaching, making the act of pitching far too complicated. In efforts to simplify the process we have ideas such as 'teach/non-teach' and 'the throwing side belongs to the pitcher, the glove side belongs to the coach'. While we like the notion of reducing instruction to essentials, there is some disagreement about what matters and what doesn't.\n\nHere's the WebBall take on this... you first need to understand what good mechanics should look like and feel like - in some detail. Then you can decide what key instants in the throw most matter. (This part of the process should go beyond subjective observation - radar measurements, slow motion video, even motion capture.) When that's done, then you can decide what to correct and what to disregard. \n\nInternal vs External\nRemember: there are some mechanics that can be observed and adjusted externally (by the coach) and some forces (muscle tensions, joint movements) that aren't obvious from the outside - but they do have to feel right internally (to the pitcher). Learning to interpret from outside observation what's really happening on the inside is the toughest challenge for the coach. Conversely, understanding what everything should feel like then being able to execute it that way, consistently - that's the greatest challenge for the pitcher himself.\n\nTouching on the Highlights\nThe first step in breaking down the pitching action is to understand the phases in the pitch. In subsequent lessons each phase will be broken down into mechanical details. (We're tempted to calls these 'steps' but that implies specific checkpoints and, as explained in Lesson #1, we want everything to be continuous, no pauses.) \n\nPreparation Phase. This is what happens before you reach the launch point. It may be less important mechanically than what happens afterwards but it does establish your line of attack, and your rhythm. \n\nLoading Up. This is where the kinetic energy which will build momentum throughout the delivery is initially stored within the body. There are actually several load points - the leg up and hip turn, the hip/shoulder separation, shoulder blade pinch, and the arm cock. They shouldn't load at the same time, in fact the loading instant of each is critical to...\n\nTransferring momentum. This is where the concept of the kinetic chain is critical - stored energy in each muscle group must be given to the next in sequence. The most advanced researchers have determined that there are a critical transfer moments in which more than one thing is happening. First, there is the energy from one muscle group to the next, but also there is the stored energy within the group itself. \nFor example, when the hips and shoulders have acheived maximum separation, both are coiled back. But it isn't just the torque created by separation of trunk and upper body that gets transferred at that point; there's also the pinching back of the shoulder blades which needs to be converted to forward shoulder movement. This is referred to as scapular loading (the next lesson). \n\n\nRelease and follow through. Physics tells us that the ball can't go faster than the finger tips. We also know that perceived velocity (from the batter's perspective) is as important as actual velocity. So it's important that the release point be optimized - finding the best balance between a release point as close to the batter as possible (less reaction time) and a release point at the instant of maximum accelleration of the wrist, the hand, the fingers. Ideally there the same point, but not always. One thing is certain: A complete follow-through is important to ensure the arm does not start slowing before release. This also means that worrying about getting into a good fielding position should be irrelevant - the pitcher's main concern should be throwing a pitch they can&#3
1007312
The way to a great pitching staff has always been development of the young players. The lack thereof is the reason why you see the same team names in the Cellar. \n\nYou can go out and buy a pitching staff with some regularity and should be able to put together a pretty good staff. I have never been a proponent of that as all it does is use cash.
1016393
Anything done by Tom House is a good start...the problem is that a book or website will never really give you a good feel.  The best way to learn, is to find someone that throws those pitches well, and talk to them...let them show you grips and proper technique.  \n\nhttp://www.webball.com/bullpen/grips.html\n\nhttp://www.pitching.com/pitching_grips.php\n\nhttp://www.tomhouse.com/main.asp\n\nHope that is a good start
309883
there are plenty of ways, the one I use that has been most successful is this:\nstart with a two-seam fastball grip. move your fingers in between the seams. When you come aroudn to throw (starting your throw the way you would normally with a fastball) co-ck (they wouldn't let me write it without the hypehn) your rist inward and snap your fingers so the ball rolls off the top of your index finger.\nDepending on your arm slot you should get a movement either 12-6, 1-7, 2-8, or even 3-9. (those movements are for right handed pitchers, opppsite movement is for left handers)\nSometimes this grip is misconstrued to be a hard slider grip, but with the cock of the wrist a lot fo pressure is taken off the elbow.\nWork with it a lot and it should become a very effective pitch.
800796
It all depends on what you need to work on. by knowing your weakness it helps out a lot. Here are some hitting tips. get about 3 of your baseball buddies and get 3 balls(plastic woffel balls) and a bat, have your 3 friends stand about 40 feet back depending on the wind. have them discuss which one is going to throw the ball. only one should throw. once they have decided get in your batting stance. tell them you are ready, they will all 3 go through a pitching motion and the one person will throw the ball but you don't know which one have them throw the ball accurate it don't have to be fast. this will help you pick the ball up as soon as the pitcher releases the ball. it sounds stupid and might seem goofy but the results will show in a big game situation. make sure you don't swing at balls. you don't want to start bad habits even if its only a woffol ball. what you do in practice is reflected in what you do in games.
208825
Fundementals, fundementals, fundementals. Work on the basics of throwing, catching and swinging the bat consistently. The more you can ingrain those basics in your team, the better they will do and the more success they will have as they move on to future levels of the game.\n\nThere are several coaching links through eteamz.com, including several message boards where you can communicate with other coaches and get ideas. But whatever you do, keep it fun. The odds are you don't have any future major leaguers on your roster, but you do have a good size group of young players who can develop a lifelong love of the game if you teach them while letting them have fun.
468776
There is something a little bit precarious about pitching from a mound...Stepping forward and down at the batter in the midst of a aggressive pitching motion while wearing cleats.  The throwing mechanics of the pitching motion can mostly be duplicated on flat grounf and allow the recovering pitcher to keep his arm lively while not risking any sort of slip from the pitching rubber.  I liken it to a flight simulator training for pilots before going up in the actual plane.
634814
Check out these sites:\n\nThe first is how to build a baseball field that contains the standard pitching mound dimensions.\n\nThe second is a site where you can buy a pitching mound but it gives the dimensions so I am guessing you could use that to build your own.
356007
This depends on a lot of things...  Do you have quick feet, quick release, strong arm, and are your pitcher holding the runner so that you even have a chance at throwing the runner out.\n\nThe first thing to work on is your arm strength. Make sure you are doing a lot of long toss. You can work with another catcher or pitcher. You can also do some tube work to work on overall strength for your arm and shoulder.\n\nMy favorite drill is the 1,2,3 Rapid Fire Drill. You will need a pitcher, 1st basemen, 2nd basemen, 3rd basemen.  Pitcher will need three balls and stand about 30 - 40 feet away. Pitcher throws first ball as you recieve first ball, drive your left knee downward and toward first base, rotate upper body to first base. Using a short snap throw, deiver the throw to firstbase.\n\nQuickly recover to receiving position... pitcher throws ball number two.  Throw to second base using a jump pivot, jab step, or rock and fire method.  \n\nQuickly recover to receiving position... pitcher throws third ball. Throw to third remmeber to work on a right footed drop step to clear right handed batters.\n\nDo this five or six times a practice.\n\nAnother good drill is "Quick Hands Drill"\nTwo catchers line up about 15-20 feet apart facing one another. The catcher receiving the throw gets into ready position with glove extended and throwing hand positioned behind the glove hand or against chest in a relaxed manner. \n\nYour partner initiates by throwing the ball. As the ball contacts the glove the throwing hand immediately covers the ball while the fingers find the seam.\n\nUsing "short" arm action, the ball is brought back under the chin while the front shoulder closes. Hands break, and the ball is brought straight back to the throwing position.  Without hesitating throw the ball back to the other catcher who has assumed the ready position. THis should be done about 15-20 throws each. DON'T USE YOUR FEET!  THIS IS JUST TO ISOLATE UPPERBODY THROWING MECHANICS.
1006487
it would take amazingly long time to type up how to play baseball. ill give a short explanation. there is 4 bases in a diamond shape, then an outfield. a pitcher throws the ball trying to get it past the batter and over the home plate (a base) for a strike. 3 strikes and your out. \nthere are 3 outs in one inning. you play nine innings. if you hit the ball, you run up the dirt ob the right to first base. if the ball is cought while the first baseman touches the bag, your out. if you see that you could maybe get to 2nd base, turn and run there. you score by going all the way around the bases and touching home plate. oh, and if you hit a ball over the fence in between the to polls in left and right field, its a home run
536243
Here you go, just follow these simple steps.\n\n1.Hide the ball in your glove.\n \n2.Grip the ball with your middle and index fingers perpendicular to the seams at their widest point, with your thumb underneath the ball.\n \n3. Spread your top fingers apart slightly and keep your ring finger and pinkie tucked into your palm. \n \n4. Hold the ball firmly, applying pressure with your middle finger and thumb. Try not to let the ball rest in the palm of your hand, and keep your index finger relaxed. \n \n5.Wind up into the pitch. Use the same pitching motion as in your other pitches so that the batter cannot predict a curveball. \n \n6.Keep your wrist relaxed. After drawing back the pitch, hold your wrist so that the back of your hand points toward your body. \n \n7.Roll your wrist downward and to the right (if you are right-handed) or to the left (if you're left-handed) immediately before releasing the pitch. \n \n8.Release the pitch and follow through by bending your wrist. A right-hander should finish with the palm facing in toward the chest. The top of your thumb should be facing up.\n \n9.Throw the ball between the batter and home plate if you're a left-handed pitcher facing a left-handed batter or if you're a right-handed pitcher facing a right-handed batter.\n \n \n\n \n \nTips:\nYou can also try gripping the ball between and along the seams. Spread your fingers apart slightly and press your middle finger into the ball. Go with the grip that allows you a comfortable release, the proper spin and maximum control.\n \nTurn your wrist further to increase the ball's spin. You will lose some control but will gain more curve. Throw harder, and the pitch gains speed but loses some of the curving movement.\n \n \nWarnings:\nThrowing a curveball can cause serious and possibly permanent damage to your shoulder, elbow and wrist. For this reason, most managers and coaches advise that young players avoid this pitch until they reach physical maturity.
168867
The simplest and most effective way to strengthen the right muscles for hitting is to swing something heavy every day.  If  you get a big heavy bat and swing it fifty or a hundred times while picking out something in front of you to swing through you can also work on leveling your swing, where your elbows are and all the fundamentals.  The most important things in hitting are bat speed and keeping your eye on the ball.  So practice what you do with  your head.\n\nWatch Mariano Riviera warm up and do that.  I have a cannonball that I pretend to throw and when I go to a game (I'm reduced to softball now) I throw much harder.  Get your arm warmed up and then work on strength with anything heavy you can keep in your hand.  It really works.\n\nStay off the juice.
1140671
1.   Grip the ball as you would a four-seamed fastball. The index and middle fingers should be on top of the ball across the seams at the widest point. Hold the fingers about 1/2 inch apart from one another.  \n  \n2.   Place the thumb under the ball across the seam and curl the ring finger and pinkie along one side. The two smallest fingers should make little contact with the ball's surface.  \n  \n3.   Hold the ball with your fingertips away from the palm of your hand.  \n  \n4.   The index finger and thumb should provide all the pressure. The middle finger releases the ball.  \n  \n5.   Go into your wind-up. Remember to pivot and shift your body weight from the back foot forward toward home plate.  \n  \n6.   Turn your wrist inward in a corkscrew motion just before releasing the pitch. This rotation is the opposite of a curveball. For left-handed pitchers, the ball should break down and away from right-handed hitters.  \n  \n7.   Follow through the ball as if it were a fastball. Your feet should parallel each other at the end of the pitch, and your throwing arm should come across the front of your body.   \n\nWarning: The screwball is an advanced pitch that will cause arm damage. Practically no major leaguers use this pitch anymore.
1094248
1.  feet shoulder width apart\n2.  bat comfortably behind your head or shoulders\n3.  righty- left arm as straight as you can without straining, lefty, vice versa\n4.  As the pitcher is bringing his arm up to pitch, slowly shift your weight back to your back foot and bring your whole body back.\n5.  As you swing bring your weight forward, point your front foot forward, keep your front leg straight, about a 45 degree angle to the ground, turn your back foot so that is straight with your other foot, bend your back knee, bring your arms through at a more downward angle, turn your top wrist over, keep your head in the same spot (shoulder to shoulder), see the ball the whole way, hit the top of the ball, finish with your weight still on your back foot.\n\nline drives are the best hits usually, and if you try to loft the ball, you'll ruin your swing.\n\nhope it helps!
105701
I played outfield. We had a coach who used to set a pitching machine at maximum speed from home plate to toss balls high into the outfield.  we had to stand and point to where the ball was going to land rather than run and catch it (that came later)  It was great practice for judging the flight of the ball and being able to anticipate where to run to catch the ball.
345077
develop the fundamental mechanics of a "good swing." A good swing is one that is fundamentaly correct and has a downward angle at the ball in order to produce backspin. Read a book and practice hitting wiffle balls off a tee so you can see the backspin and trajectory of the ball. make sure you're doing it right. breaking a bad habit in baseball takes months, so make sure if you are taking a 1000 swings a day they are correct and quality swings
1052436
If its unlimited, obvisouly throw it as high as you can. If its 6-12 ft, find a good height that you can constantly hit while throw strikes, thats tougher as a pitchers, its like putting it on a tee for the hitter. Technique wise, i pitch with a backspin on my pitch.  Hold it with all 5 fingers, have your hand face the batter, the ball toeards second, flick your wrist dfor the backspin, thats one way to do it. You could also hold it in your palm, ball facing the batter, and throw it that way, with that you can spin the ball for a bit of a curve. Those are some ways i do it. Good Luck!!