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The Pitching Mechanic
July 2007

Real-Time Illustrations and Analyses of
Proper and Improper Pitching Mechanics

 

The Pitching Mechanic - August 2007

 

7/27/2007

Another Greg Maddux Image Sequence

I have extracted another image sequence of Greg Maddux. Like the other one, this one is a CF view of Greg Maddux throwing an 88 MPH sinking fastball for a ball (low). One difference between this clip and the other one is that I have highlighted the path of the ball.

 

7/26/2007

New Greg Maddux Image Sequence

I recently found a clip of Greg Maddux pitching in the 1997 NLCS and have extracted a new image sequence from it. This particular image sequence is a CF view of Greg Maddux throwing an 88 MPH sinking fastball for a ball (low). Notice the "W" in the frames below and in the entire clip.

 

7/25/2007

Greg Maddux And The "W"

As you know, Greg Maddux is one of my favorite pitchers. This is due in part to his arm action. In order to make it clear what I am talking about when I talk about how he makes the "W", rather than the "M" or the Inverted W, below are a number of frames from a video clip that clearly shows Greg Maddux making the "W".

Frame 97

Frame 98

Frame 99

Frame 100

Frame 101

Frame 102

Frame 103

I hope this puts to rest the myth that dropping the elbow below the level of the shoulders is always bad.

 

7/25/2007

Chris Carpenter vs. Greg Maddux

In an effort to make clearer the difference between Chris Carpenter and Greg Maddux, I have just put together a page that compares Chris Carpenter vs. Greg Maddux.

 

7/24/2007

How Chris Carpenter (Actually) Throws The Ball

In an effort to explain the root cause of his elbow and shoulder problems, I just completed an analysis that explains how Chris Carpenter actually throws the ball.
     It's very interesting and informative to compare what you see in the above image sequence of Chris Carpenter with what you see in this Greg Maddux image sequence. In particular, notice how Greg Maddux gets to the high cocked position by leading with his Pitching Arm Side (aka PAS) hand whereas Chris Carpenter gets to the high cocked position by leading with his PAS elbow. This is a small and subtle, but very important, difference.
     As I said back in December of 2006, I think the long-term deal the Cardinals gave Chris Carpenter may turn out to be a disaster. So far, the first two years of that five-year deal have been.
     This whole Chris Carpenter experience makes the case that no amount of conditioning can overcome terrible mechanics.
     Instead, all conditioning can do is delay the inevitable.

 

7/17/2007

Chris Carpenter's Mechanics

It looks like Chris Carpenter may be experiencing continuing problems with his elbow. As a result, I wanted to remind you of what I have said in the past about Chris Carpenter's mechanics, which includes a frame by frame analysis of his mechanics.

 

7/17/2007

A New Favorite Photo

I've found a new favorite photo for illustrating the concept of hip/shoulder separation.

Tim Lincecum

Tim Lincecum

The photo above of Tim Lincecum shows his hips open with his belt buckle pointing at home plate but his shoulders closed and facing 3B. This stretches the muscles of his core and will allow them to powerfully pull his shoulders around.
     This explains why such a relatively small guy is still able to throw so hard.

 

7/17/2007

Mark Buehrle: A Quick Look

Given that Mark Buehrle's name has been in the news lately, and that a number of people have asked me what I think of him, I thought I should take a quick look at his mechanics, and in particular at his arm action.
     In general, I like what I see. That is in part because I see a "W" rather than an "M" or Inverted W in his arm action, which should help to protect his shoulder.

Mark Buehrle

Mark Buehrle

The photo above of Mark Buehrle shows that he breaks his hands with his hands rather than with his elbows, which I think is good. This is about as high as his PAS elbow gets, which compares favorably with Greg Maddux.

Mark Buehrle

Mark Buehrle

The photo above of Mark Buehrle is a reverse angle of the photo above. Again, notice how (relatively) low his PAS elbow is compared to the level of his shoulders. 

Mark Buehrle

Mark Buehrle

The photo above of Mark Buehrle shows him as his PAS elbow is just passing through the horizontal position.

Mark Buehrle

Mark Buehrle

Mark Buehrle

Mark Buehrle

Mark Buehrle

Mark Buehrle

Mark Buehrle

Mark Buehrle

In the three photos above of Mark Buehrle, his PAS forearm is now 45 degrees off the the horizontal and his GS heel has just made contact with the ground. His hips are also opening up into foot plant while his shoulders are staying closed. I like the consistency between these four photos above because that means he does a good job of repeating his motion.

Mark Buehrle

Mark Buehrle

Mark Buehrle

Mark Buehrle

Mark Buehrle

Mark Buehrle

Mark Buehrle

Mark Buehrle

In the four photos above of Mark Buehrle, his PAS forearm is vertical and passing through the vertical high-cocked position. He is also showing the ball to 1B (since he's a lefty) rather than to 2B/CF.
     In the photo above, notice that Mark Buehrle's hips have continued to open while his shoulders have stayed closed. This will help him to throw with his entire body (e.g. his torso or core) rather than just his arm. The photo above also shows that Mark Buehrle has good timing; his shoulders don't start to rotate until after his GS foot plants.
     Finally, in this and the other photos above, notice how Mark Buehrle's arms make a "W" shape rather than an "M" or Inverted W shape.

 

7/15/2007

Thinking About Andrew Miller's Shoulder

I recently came across a photo of Andrew Miller, which I like, and it led me to take a more in-depth look at his arm action.

Andrew Miller

Andrew Miller

The thing I like about the photo above of Andrew Miller is that you can see a pretty good "W" in his arm action. Notice how, as his Pitching Arm Side (aka PAS) forearm passes through the vertical high-cocked position, his PAS elbow is below the level of his shoulders. I believe that this will help to protect his shoulder.
     You can see the same things in the sequence of photos below of Andrew Miller.

Andrew Miller

Andrew Miller

In the photo above of Andrew Miller, his PAS forearm is horizontal and his PAS elbow is below the level of his shoulders.

Andrew Miller

Andrew Miller

In the next photo, Andrew Miller's PAS forearm has rotated 45 degrees but his PAS elbow is still below the level of his shoulders.

Andrew Miller

Andrew Miller

In the photo above of Andrew Miller, his PAS forearm is nearly vertical, but his PAS elbow is no higher than the level of his shoulders.

Andrew Miller

Andrew Miller

In the photo above of Andrew Miller, his PAS forearm is passing through vertical as his shoulders are starting to turn. As this happens, his PAS elbow is still below the level of his shoulders.
     Also, with respect to the "Power Position" that I discuss below, notice that Andrew Miller doesn't do what many coaches advocate. His PAS elbow is below the level of his shoulders, rather than above it. He is also showing the ball to 1B (since he is a lefty) rather than to 2B/CF.

 

7/14/2007

Thinking About The "Power Position"

Recently I have had a number of discussions with people where the topic of the Power Position (or "T Power Position" or "Cobra Position") has come up.

T Power Position

T Power Position

The "Power Position" is as pretty much as pictured above. At the moment the PAS forearm is vertical, the Pitching Arm Side (aka PAS) elbow is above the level of the shoulders and the PAS hand is showing the ball to 2B/CF.

Cobra Position

Cobra Position

You can see the same basic thing in the photo above. Again, at the moment the PAS forearm is vertical, the PAS elbow is above the level of the shoulders and the player is showing the ball to 2B/CF.
     Most web sites unanimously advocate this position for both position players and pitchers.
     The problem is that, if you look at great players like Greg Maddux and Randy Johnson, you will see that this is not what they do.

Randy Johnson

Randy Johnson

If you look at the photo above of Randy Johnson, you will notice that, at the moment his PAS forearm is vertical, Randy Johnson's PAS elbow is well below the level of his shoulders and he is showing the ball to 1B (since he's a lefty), not to 2B/CF.  

Greg Maddux

Greg Maddux

Greg Maddux

Greg Maddux

You can see the same thing in the two photos above of Greg Maddux. First, notice that, at the moment his PAS forearm is vertical, Greg Maddux's PAS elbow is well below the level of his shoulders and he is showing the ball to 3B.
     All of this means is that when you hear people talk about concepts like the "Power Position", you need to be skeptical and compare what is being taught to what successful professional pitchers do. In many cases, what people are teaching isn't what great pitchers like Randy Johnson and Greg Maddux actually do.

 

7/4/2007

Questions About Johan Santana's Shoulder

I really like Johan Santana's mechanics, but in studying his mechanics recently, I have noticed something that makes me nervous.

Johan Santana

Johan Santana

Notice how high Johan Santana's PAS elbow is in the photo above. It's just above the level of his shoulders.

Johan Santana

Johan Santana

You can see the same thing in the photo above of Johan Santana. His PAS elbow is quite high.
     I'm not absolutely convinced that this means that Johan Santana is in imminent risk of shoulder problems. Instead, he seems to be on the borderline.

Tom Glavine

Tom Glavine

I say this because, as you can see in the photo above, Tom Glavine's PAS elbow gets relatively high, but he has been largely free of shoulder problems.
     However, I am going to keep my eye on Johan Santana and see how his shoulder fares.

 

7/2/2007

More Examples Of The "W"

As you know, I am not a big fan of the "M" or Inverted W. I don't think it's necessary to throwing either well or hard. I also think it increases the risk a pitcher will experience shoulder problems.

Tim Lincecum

Tim Lincecum

I am a fan of Tim Lincecum, and think he has a chance of being a 20-year guy, and the photo above is one reason why. Notice how, as he is Scapular Loading, rather than making the M or Inverted W, Tim Lincecum instead keeps his elbows below the level of his shoulders to form more of a "W". I think this should help to protect his shoulder.

Mike Mussina

Mike Mussina

Mike Mussina is another guy of whom I am a fan. As you can see in the photo above, Mike Mussina is another pitcher who makes the "W" rather than the "M" or Inverted W. I think this helps to explain Mike Mussina's longevity.

 

The Pitching Mechanic - June 2007

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