PITCHING VELOCITY

Pitching Velocity- Three kinds of velocity?
Did you know there are three types of pitching velocity? They are real, perceived and effective velocity. I am going to spend more time talking about perceived and effective pitching velocity more than I will real velocity because there is simply more to them. Real pitching velocity is what shows up on the radar gun; easy enough. That’s all there is to it.

Perceived pitching velocity is truly how the hitter sees the pitch. You see, as a pitcher, we really have an advantage over any hitter, regardless of who they are. Not only is hitting a baseball one of the hardest things to do in any sport; as a pitcher you have many ways to effect the hitters inability to hit the ball. Some of these are to ensure your stride is at least as long as you are tall; you have a great delayed shoulder rotation etc. Why would that help? The closer you are to home plate at release of the baseball the better. It has been said that every foot closer you are to home plate at release; the perceived pitching velocity is 3 miles an hour faster to the hitter. Perceived, meaning, the ball appears to be traveling faster to the batter because the ball is released closer to home plate; less reaction time for hitter to react to the pitch. Would you rather have Randy Johnson throw 50 feet away from you or 45?

Effective pitching velocity deals with what pitches you are going to throw, what location you will throw those pitches and in what sequence. It is very deceiving to a hitter’s eye when your arm speed and angle are the same whether you throw a fastball or a changeup. Many times hitters predict a certain pitch like a fastball and you throw a curve; or vice versa. Those scenarios explain what effective pitching velocity is.

Article from the "Pitching Academy"

BODY POSTURE

The Complete Pitcher's Newsletter
02-16-2009 Issue

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Here's another baseball pitching tip...

The most important thing you can do is maintain
good body posture on the pitcher's mound: stand
tall, shoulders back.

Work fast by jogging to, from, and around the
mound when you're out there. And after you make a
pitch, stay on the dirt, get the ball back from your
catcher, and make another pitch.

Keep your facial expressions stoic (the same, all the
time): If the ump makes a good call, don't show it. You
should already expect it because you believe and trust
your stuff.

If the ump boots a call, don't show it. Don't react. Just
focus on the next pitch.

The same holds true for the defense behind you: If a
teammate makes a good play, cheer him on, but
refocus quickly. If he makes an error, pick him up,
but don't dwell on it. It's out of your control. Get focused
on the next pitch.

Try it for yourself. I'll bet the confidence you exude may
get some hitters thinking: "Geez, this pitcher's got
something figured out."

Whether you do or don't, it'll get hitters thinking....

Be confident out there, and show it.

Work on it!

Want to throw harder by spring?
Visit www.pitchingworkouts.com

Steven Ellis

P.S. Enjoy this newsletter? Tell your teammates.

Albert Pujols Swing

 

MLB Top 25 Salaries 2008

Year / Top 25 players
2008
Rank Player Salary Team
1 Rodriguez, Alex $ 28,000,000 New York Yankees
2 Giambi, Jason $ 23,428,571 New York Yankees
3 Jeter, Derek $ 21,600,000 New York Yankees
4 Ramirez, Manny $ 18,929,923 Boston Red Sox
5 Beltran, Carlos $ 18,622,809 New York Mets
6 Suzuki, Ichiro $ 17,102,149 Seattle Mariners
7 Santana, Johan $ 16,984,216 New York Mets
8 Helton, Todd $ 16,600,000 Colorado Rockies
9 Hunter, Torii $ 16,500,000 Los Angeles Angels
10 Abreu, Bobby $ 16,000,000 New York Yankees
11 Delgado, Carlos $ 16,000,000 New York Mets
12 Pettitte, Andy $ 16,000,000 New York Yankees
13 Zambrano, Carlos $ 16,000,000 Chicago Cubs
14 Hampton, Mike $ 15,975,184 Atlanta Braves
15 Ordonez, Magglio $ 15,768,174 Detroit Tigers
16 Furcal, Rafael $ 15,730,195 Los Angeles Dodgers
17 Thome, Jim $ 15,666,666 Chicago White Sox
18 Guerrero, Vladimir $ 15,500,000 Los Angeles Angels
19 Hudson, Tim $ 15,500,000 Atlanta Braves
20 Sexson, Richie $ 15,500,000 Seattle Mariners
21 Schmidt, Jason $ 15,217,401 Los Angeles Dodgers
22 Johnson, Randy $ 15,100,546 Arizona Diamondbacks
23 Ramirez, Aramis $ 15,000,000 Chicago Cubs
24 Rivera, Mariano $ 15,000,000 New York Yankees
25 Tejada, Miguel $ 14,811,414 Houston Astros

BASE RUNNING 101

Although foot speed and quickness is a tremendous asset to the baseball player, a baseball player can learn to be a good base runner even if he lacks these skills. Any player that takes the time to practice and learn the following 20 base running
fundamentals can be an asset to his team.


Base Running 101

A. When the Batter/Hitter is running from home to first base:

1. The right handed batter takes his first step out of the box with his right foot.
2. Make the first step as quick and as fast as possible. Should practice this in BP.
3. The left handed batter takes his first step with a cross-over step with his left foot first.
4. The hitter must take a look into the infield after his 4th or 5th step to determine whether or not the ball is going through the infield or whether the infielder is going to make a play on the ball.
5. If the ball stays in the infield, the hitter makes a "Hard 90" (Hard 60, 70 or 80 depending upon the age group) directly to first base using good running form and running straight toward the first base bag in long, rapid strides.
6. The hitter should hit the front edge of the first base bag and toward the middle to avoid contact with the first baseman and to avoid twisting an ankle.
7. The hitter must run through the bag at full speed.
8. The runner/hitter breaks then down after touching the bag in full stride.
9. While breaking down, the runner should look to his right to determine whether or not there was an over-throw.

B. Leading Off First Base:

1. The base runner gets his sign from the third base coach while in contact with the first base bag.
2. The base runner acknowledges the coach's sign by raising his had and indicating the number of outs.
3. The base runner then checks the positioning of the outfielders as well as the SS and second baseman.
4. In a non steal situation with a right handed pitcher on the mound, the runner then takes a 3 - step primary lead with his left foot first and then two slide steps.
5. The runner takes another slide step toward second base when the pitcher comes set.
6. The runner should place his right foot slightly behind his left foot, approximately toe of right foot to instep of left foot while remaining in a balanced, athletic position.
7. The runner "reads" the pitcher's front or stride leg as well as the back heel to determine whether the pitcher is going home or to first base.
8. When it's determined that the pitcher is going to the plate, the runner takes two additional slide steps toward second base.
9. If the ball is hit, the runner crosses over with his left foot from his last shuffle and continues to the next base.
10.If the ball is not hit, the runner must immediately sprint back to the first base bag to avoid a "back pick".
11.When in a steal situation, there is no secondary lead, the runner takes off the instance he determines the pitcher is throwing home.

Practice these techniques and you can become a good baserunner!

CATCHER'S EQUIPMENT & BAGS

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