Baseball Pitching: The Fix

In Part Two with Coach Steve Harrow as my guest, we talk about the differences in position-player throwing mechanics and pitching mechanics. And with many position players in high school also pitching, I teach about the common errors that can be made when the pitcher doesn’t shift his mechanics from the field to the mound. What to look for, why it is so common, and some ideas for instruction are discussed. I also address some questions from a youth coach about preparation, throwing programs, and underweight balls that were generated in response to episode 15. If you work with young pitchers, you don’t want to miss this. Email Angel at angel@gymscience.com www.GymScience.com

Off-season is a valuable time in the yearly cycle of the pitcher yet still, there are many confusions around when it starts, when it ends, and how to use it productively. Coach Steve Harrow is my guest and we dig deep into the topics of off-season, pre-season, and reentry into the throwing season. Email Angel at angel@gymscience.com www.GymScience.com

And don’t forget: to see what you’re hearing go to the Angel Borrelli Pitching You Tube Channel Our special off-season series kicks-off with special guests Coach Larry Owens of Bellarmine University and Pitcher Joe DeMers with the Oakland A’s Minor League system. The three of us talk about Leading with the Elbow, an arm mechanics issue that is one of the most common reasons for a loss in velocity and/or location. Hear about it/understand it/know how to see it. Go to the Angel Borrelli Pitching You Tube Channel to see the photos for this topic.

In the MLB segment of this podcast, I answer the question that I have been most frequently asked during October baseball: “what is it about the motion of Verlander and Cole that makes them so good?”. In the Teaching Moment, I connect the dots between some of the most common flaws in the pitching motion and a realization I had regarding why these flaws are so prevalent…especially among youth pitchers. The understanding of this connection can make teaching the proper adjustment much easier for coaches. And in the Pearl segment, I discuss the importance of consistency with the delivery and site an observation during the play-offs. Email Angel at angel@gymscience.com www.GymScience.com

In the MLB segment, Joe asks a listener’s question about the relationship of overuse as a youth pitcher and the probability of an adult injury. In the Teaching Moment, I break the pitching motion down into four fundamental skills and give you some tips on how to view your pitcher ‘s delivery in a simple way. In the Pearls segment, the topic of returning to pitching after time off is discussed. Email Angel at angel@gymscience.com www.GymScience.com

To kick off the show in MLB News and Trends, Angel and Joe discuss Chicago Cubs closer Craig Kimbrel, whose command has been "unKimbrel-like" this season and who recently went on the injured list with an elbow inflammation. Angel explains the connection between an elbow injury and command issues, and what next steps should be for the injured pitcher. In the Teaching Moment, Angel explains the danger of excessive lateral trunk tilt -- what it is, the risks, how to identify it, what to do about it. Finally, in the "Pearls," Angel offers exercises to do in the gym that help prevent shoulder injuries. Triceps Exercises To Help Prevent Shoulder Injuries 1. Decline Skull Crushers (On Decline Bench, with E-Z Curl Bar) 2. Overhead Dumbbell Extension (in Angel's Elbow book and First Pitch Strike Program) 3. Rope Pushdown (with cable) 4. Reverse-grip W-bar Pushdown 5. Reverse-grip single-arm pushdown (straight handle) If you have any questions about these exercises email Angel at angel@gymscience.com www.GymScience.com

In the MLB segment, Joe and I couldn’t help but discuss Matt Harvey, one of our faves. I used Matt’s story to help coaches and teams understand the initial phases of investigation when faced with helping a great pitcher make a successful comeback after experiencing injury after injury. It’s not over until it’s over…and it’s never too late: two philosophies that are ever so important in the career of any pitcher, especially this one. In the Teaching Moment, I discuss and educate on how the stride-foot contact phase of the pitching motion is defined for purposes of video analysis. With this phase having so many critical features, it is important that you know what to look for and how to see its components. And in the Pearls segment, I discuss showcases and how to plan ahead and fit them into the fall and winter seasons. Contact Info: Angel@gymscience.com www.GymScience.com

In the MLB segment, Joe wants to know about the “mysterious” fastball of Josh Hader. We have a great general discussion about movement and deception, two things Josh does well. In the Teaching Moment, I talk about how the stride is initiated, specifically the muscle used and one of the many benefits of using it correctly. And in the final Pearls segment, I revisit the topic of flat ground throwing programs that are used for returning pitchers to play after injury. After seeing some problematic programs in the last few weeks, I couldn’t wait to address this issue. I call on coaches to intervene and make sure their pitchers’ programs make sense. Josh Hader article Click Here for Teaching Moment Video Contact Info: Angel@gymscience.com www.GymScience.com

In the MLB segment of this podcast, Joe asks if pitchers should ever pitch through pain. Citing Jake Arrieta’s elbow bone spur as an example, we discuss pitchers and their injuries. In the Teaching Moment, using photos and a video, you will see two strength drills I designed to help pitchers feel the strength needed to offset the forces to the front leg that can cause instability if not understood and strengthened. And in the Pearls Segment, citing Noah Syndergaard’s most recent release-point issue as an example, I talk about how the hand arrives at the release point and how mechanical flaws can contribute to location issues. Click Here for Teaching Moment Video Contact Info: Angel@gymscience.com www.GymScience.com Graph: http://bit.ly/2Sk58j7 http://bit.ly/2WDjxZ8 Code: ELBOW http://bit.ly/2GG8c4X Code: ROTATION

The MLB has been experimenting with limiting innings, “deloading” with their Minor Leaguers, data-driven decisions and various other methods to limit injuries and protect our pitchers. And as we know, everything in the MLB has a trickle-down effect to our college, high school and youth pitchers. In the MLB segment of this podcast, I talk about Jordan Hicks, one of the most gifted pitchers of today. He just had Tommy John last week, in spite of attempts to limit his exposure to injury. I share my perspective on what should happen next for Jordan. In the Teaching Moment, Joe and I discuss the Texas Rangers’ “deloading” program for their Minor League pitchers and how it backfired (per their own words). I talk about an important take-home message from this experiment. And in “The Pearl” segment, I unpack a few of the biggest mistakes I have witnessed during these beginning months of the spring/summer season for pitchers. It’s easy to overlook the smallest of details when it comes to the care of the pitcher and I

With our special guest Larry Owens, we discuss the "crazy" NCAA pitching stats that were just released and what it tell us about the direction of pitching and hitting. The impact of the use of data, the chase for velocity, and current trends in coaching are all discussed with Larry's unique perspective. Contact Info: Angel@gymscience.com www.GymScience.com http://bit.ly/2WDjxZ8 Code: ELBOW http://bit.ly/2GG8c4X Code: ROTATION

Hitting injuries vs. pitching injuries: are they acknowledged and noticed sooner when a hitter's performance declines vs. when a pitcher's performance starts to suffer. In the MLB segment, Joe asks about why this seems to be the norm in baseball. In the Teaching Moment, I talk about one specific flaw with the glove arm that directly affects the pitcher's rotation which in turn, can directly affect the pitcher's potential velocity. The Pearls segment is devoted to helping the listeners make the important decisions that come-up at this time of the year with regard to whether a pitcher should play in the summer, take time off, etc.. How to design a yearly plan is discussed. http://bit.ly/2WDjxZ8 Code: ELBOW http://bit.ly/2GG8c4X Code: ROTATION Contact Info: Angel@gymscience.com www.GymScience.com

In the MLB segment, Joe and I talk about the resurgence of what is called "the yips" in a few MLB players. I plant the seed for thinking about this issue as physical not mental. The topic is so important, that I continue discussing it in the Teaching Moment, through explaining the way the ball is actually held, rolled, and finally released in the pitching motion and why the ball-release disorder can easily be mistaken for emotional or mental. Buckle up for this discussion! Some ideas for diagnosis, warning signs, and exercises are presented. http://bit.ly/2WDjxZ8 Code: ELBOW http://bit.ly/2GG8c4X Code: ROTATION Click Here for Teaching Moment Video Contact Info: Angel@gymscience.com www.GymScience.com

http://bit.ly/2GG8c4X Code: ROTATION In the MLB segment of this episode, we talk about what to do when a previously good pitcher starts to have problems, which is the current situation with a very famous pitcher. I talk about my hopes for baseball to continue to progress with how to handle signs and symptoms before they get out-of-hand. In the Teaching Moment, I continue my series on Troubleshooting Velocity. In this episode, I talk, show, and teach how to initiate rotation which is the part of the motion that needs to be done correctly to ensure that the arm can deliver the ball with its greatest speed. Click Here for Teaching Moment Video And in the Pearls segment, we get down to it by talking about the feet and their importance at the beginning and end of the motion. You won't want to miss this segment because it's one of the simplest corrections you can make to a pitcher's delivery and it can produce immediate improvements. Contact Info: Angel@gymscience.com www.GymScience.com

In the MLB segment, Joe brings up an MLB pitcher who is currently suffering from serious location problems. We discuss ways to troubleshoot this issue. In the Teaching Moment, I talk about three very common lower body issues that can affect the pitching motion in a way that can interfere with a pitcher finding his max velocity. And in The Pearls segment, I discuss a text I received from a coach talking about mound work vs. flat ground work for pitchers in-between starts. Contact Info: Angel@gymscience.com www.GymScience.com

Joe and I kick off our first episode of Season Six with three exciting segments: In our first segment, Joe and I talk about some of the rule changes in the MLB. In The Teaching Moment, I talk about "The Defining Moment in a Pitcher's Delivery". It's a discussion about the last sequence of trunk rotation in a pitcher's delivery, prior to acceleration. Using a great photo, I talk about how to see the critical features when you are reviewing film. Click Here for Teaching Moment Video And in our new last segment "Pearls", I once again visit the danger of trying to add speed or power to a part of the motion (particularly the stride) without an understanding of the purpose of all the phases and the implications. You will learn about the intent of each phase, where to apply the most power, and how to avoid "training" mistakes. Contact Info: Angel@gymscience.com www.GymScience.com

From increasing the distance of the mound to the plate to an epidemic of timing problems, Angel and Joe close out their fifth season with a great discussion of these two topics. The MLB is currently experimenting with moving the pitching mound back. Angel weighs in on the effect she thinks it will have on the pitchers...and you may be surprised to hear her take on it. And as a troubleshooter for the pitching motion, Angel has noticed an increasing epidemic of timing issues. She discusses why she thinks this is a prevalent issue and what coaches need to be aware of in terms of not only its effect on a pitcher's acceleration and location but also when making decisions about training methods for pitchers with this problem. Click Here for Teaching Moment Video Contact Info: Angel@gymscience.com www.GymScience.com

From how to work technically to using an innings format, Angel talks about the critical importance of making every bullpen count with tips on how to use it effectively and how to avoid some of the biggest mistakes she sees. And in a Troubleshooting segment, Angel answers a coach’s question about the rear leg. You will learn about its role, its importance, and some of the most common errors that can affect the pitcher’s delivery. Angel Borrelli Pitching on YouTube Contact Info: Angel@gymscience.com www.GymScience.com

Are you ruining your game performances with a pre-game warm-up that slows the players down? How do you handle a pitcher who is also a starting position player? Troubleshooting the delivery: the glove arm, the front foot, and picking-up the target. And much more…with all the content and questions being provide by coaches. Angel Borrelli Pitching on YouTube Contact Info: Angel@gymscience.com www.GymScience.com

In the “Coaching the Coaches” segment, Angel gives you the-how and the-why of these two actions which can either make or break a pitchers throwing and/or pitching motion. Included in the discussion are tips for ways you can work with your pitchers on the field during practice and flat-ground throwing to assess and correct these very important skills. In the “All It Takes is All You Got” segment, you will hear about and see a critical exercise for pitchers that deals with the rotation phase of the pitching motion; i.e., when the pitcher transitions from his sideways-stride downhill to his facing-the-target position. This is quite possibly one of the most misunderstood skills in the pitching motion and during the explanation of the exercise, you will also learn and be able to understand this invaluable component of the motion. It ties in with the first segment and promises to deliver great information. Visit Angel Borrelli Pitching You on Tube Channel to watch as you learn. Contact Info: Angel@gymscience.com ww