One of the greatest things about pitching is you control the game! Through my tutorial, viewers will be able to see the pitching motion broken down step by step. Each step will involve a pitching drill to refine their pitching mechanics.

 Knee Drill

 

                  Begin with both knees on the ground at a 45 degree angle at 10 to 15 feet away from your partner. Point your glove side shoulder towards your partner. Lightly throw 10-15 throws to your partner, then increase distance from your partner to 20-25 feet away and throw another 10-15 pitches.

                  This drill is designed to maximize torque (increases velocity). The object of the drill is to create muscle memory when maximizing torque. When presetting your shoulders towards your target (your partner)and with your hips open (facing your partner), you are representing the stage of the pitching motion of when your lead foot hits the ground and your hips begin to engage before your shoulders begin to engage.

Towel Drill

·         The object of this drill to maximize your stride length while maintaining your mechanics. Maximizing your stride length shortens the distance to home plate which from the hitters stand point gives the appearance of a faster pitch and the ball jumping out of the pitchers hand. 

·         First to begin this drill, roll or fold the towel lengthwise until it is about 1-2 inches in width. Then, place the towel around your middle finger so the fold of the towel is between your first and second knuckle. Then, close your hand so the fold of the towel is in your hand and the two ends of the towel are now dangling outward. 

·         Second, go through your same pitching motion to mark your landing spot. Repeat this step (from the same spot as before) to measure constancy in stride length. 

·         Once the landing spot is marked, then walk-off five to seven heel to foot steps. Then have your partner stand there with his glove out. Your partner’s glove should be about level with your chest or shoulder.

·         Your partners glove is used has a target, in which, with the proper pitching mechanics you should be able to hit the glove.

Rocker Drill (This is me!)

·         The object of this drill is to focus of the transfer of energy after your landing foot has hit the ground. The drill also can help with generating torque once your lead leg hits the ground. 

·         To begin this drill, start with your lead leg in the distance of your regular stride. Place your lead foot how you would regularly land (i.e. open and at the correct angle).

·         Your partner should be about 45 feet away in a catcher’s stance. 

·         When delivering the pitch, you should focus on generating power from your hips (torque), once your hips are fully engaged, then your shoulders will follow.

These drills can improve your accuracy and maximize your velocity!! Test out these drills and let me know what you think!

Due to technical problems, I was only able to access one video of myself. 

Update

First, I would like to apologize for not posting on Wednesday. I had the posting dates mixed up and posted on someone else blog on Wednesday instead of mine. I have finished all of my videos for my project. Now all I have to do is upload them to youtube. I have never done this before so I will have to find a tutorial on how to complete this task. My videos will consist of four drills that will help with maximizing velocity and accuracy. Each drill will have its own video to show how the drill should be done. There will also be a description explaining what the learners should be focusing on in each drill.

I really enjoyed working on this project. It definitely brought back many memories of all of the countless hours I spent practicing my pitching mechanics. It also reminded me of all of the coaches that have helped me throughout my career to perfect my skills, which assisted me of achieving my goal of participating in intercollegiate baseball. I hope every viewer can take something away from my videos to help them in their baseball careers!

Just started to get back into throwing, man I'm sore!!! Its going to take a while to get back into shape for this. I have been in contact with our baseball coach to see if any of the student-athletes would be willing to participate in the videos. The more and more I work on this, the more I miss playing college baseball!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Update on Project

I am currently reviewing all of the steps for my tutorial and I realize how much I miss baseball! I have gone through the step by step procedures of the art of pitching and remembered all of the countless hours I spent working to refine my pitching mechanics. I love this stuff!!

I cannot wait to get my glove out and start pitching again!!

Baseball has been in my life since the day I can remember!! As I think back to my childhood days, all I can remember is playing some form of baseball, whether it was throwing a ball and trying to hit a target (i.e. pitching) or trying to hit something with a stick or bat. As I began to get older, I began to take pitching lessons from the time I started seventh grade until my senior of high school to refine my skills and eventually play college baseball. Well, these lessons sure did payoff, I was fortunate to play in college for four year at the Division II level!!

 For my final project, I will go through the throwing pitching motion and provide different pitching drills from  beginning level to the advanced via you tube. As the steps progress, the viewers will learn the technique and master the art of pitching!!