Pitching Chart

November 22, 2009

charting-pitchesA pitching chart is a very valuable tool for a pitcher and a coach. For the pitcher it shows you your weaknesses and strengths. It tells you what pitches are working on what batters and what pitches are not working on what batters. It also tells you how many pitches you are throwing per inning which is valuable information for your Coach. Your Coach should know your limit and be prepared to rescue you if you are getting close to your redline. Read more

Popularity: 17%

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Pulling Down is Slowing Down

October 26, 2009

lincecumAlan Jaeger’s Long Toss program uses what he calls the “Pull down phase.” This is because after throwing the ball 300 feet in his “Air it out” program he wants you to pull down your delivery so you do not continue to launch the ball high as you move closer to 60 feet. The problem is this goes against the science of velocity.

Pitching velocity is the product of momentum and torque. You can read countless articles on this site about Momentum and Torque. Pulling the ball down during release prevents early internal rotation which is a key component to velocity as stated in the American Sports Medicine Institute (ASMI) case study called Comparison of High Velocity and Low Velocity Pitch Deliveries. Read more

Popularity: 20%

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The Secrets behind throwing hard!

July 10, 2009

81247729vd3.jpgWhat do hard throwers do different than you?

Dr. James Andrews at ASMI put together a study of low velocity pitchers to high velocity pitchers to determine the difference in pitching mechanics. It was a good feeling after reading this study because the same information coming from Dr. Andrews is the same information Top Velocity has been preaching for years. It proves why I overcame a rotator cuff tear and was able to reach 94 mph on my fastball post surgery. Read more

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What it takes to gain velocity.

June 17, 2009

plategroupIf you haven’t figured it out yet, velocity doesn’t come in a pill. Sorry to bust your bubble but it takes a lot of hard and smart work to develop it. If you are looking to gain 4-5 mph on your fastball then you must work to improve in all facets of pitching. These facets include: Read more

Popularity: 22%

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Take this Pill and throw 90mph!

June 17, 2009

pill

Why waste your time and money on pitching coaches and strength and conditioning when you can get all the velocity you want in a pill?

Do you want to know what it is like to throw 90 plus mph?

Do you want to dominate every batter you face?

Do you want to get drafted in the top round and sign for millions?

Then you do not have to wait any longer? All your dreams will come true in this one pill. Velocity is the latest in medical advancements in the world of genetic therapy. This pill will genetically remodel your body to throw a baseball 90 plus miles per hour. Once you take this pill you will feel a burning sensation in your arm and after 33 seconds your next pitch will exceed 90 mph. Read more

Popularity: 20%

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Does velocity come from the arm or the body?

April 16, 2009

The arm throws the ball but does it generate the velocity in a 90+ mph fastball?

timThis question can stir up a big argument but there is only one answer. The arm does not generate the velocity. It only guides the pitch. Therefore the arm must follow the body and does not come into play until the body has done its job. Read more

Popularity: 28%

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Pitch Accuracy and the Front Side

March 22, 2009

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Most of the articles on this site pertain to pure velocity but what is the value of Top Velocity when the pitcher can not locate his pitch? Zero is the answer. There is no value in Velocity that doesn’t end in a strike. I have witnessed many hard throwing pitchers or should I say throwers in my career who could not hit “the broad side of a barn.” These guys never made it anywhere because of this major problem of poor accuracy. The problem with coaching accuracy is that most pitching coaches over do it. They create pitchers who look like they should be throwing darts instead of fastballs. This is why I focus on velocity first and then I teach my pitchers how to control it. Read more

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How a BAD Pitching Coach Can Ruin a GOOD Pitcher

January 18, 2009

coach1Ultimately your pitching Coach is your boss. If you piss him off, there is a good chance you may be out of a job. The problem is if he is a BAD pitching coach, he could jeopardize your career. It has happened many times before. The key is to keep the Coach happy, while you find the best support you can, to help influence your career.

What makes a BAD pitching Coach?

Someone who has no experience in playing the position at the top levels of the game, or someone who has no certified education of how to coach the position. Read more

Popularity: 35%

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10 Legitimate tips to Pitching Velocity

December 1, 2008

If Velocity could be administered with a syringe, then every pitcher in baseball would be an addict. Oh wait, it is and it is called steroids but steroids is NOT the answer here. Just look at my ex-teammate’s life Jose Canseco. He is now having medical problems. His body’s production of testosterone is failing. He will be forced to fight severe depression for the rest of his life.

The question is how do we develop velocity legitmately?

There are hundreds of articles on the web titled something similar to this article, but most of them are worthless, because they focus mainly on upper body mechanics as the only means to developing velocity. Any hard thrower will tell you, there is a lot more to velocity than just your arm. If you want to see significant gains in velocity read this entire article and the articles linked to it. The only way you are going to see improvements, is if you develop a good understanding of how velocity is generated.

Remember you are bound by nothing. You have the ability to throw 90+ mph. Doctors told me I would not be able to and I proved them wrong. These tips will help you do the same. Read more

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“Salsa” and the Latin Pitcher

October 1, 2008

When I think of the Latin culture, I think of their food and their life style. When I say “Salsa,” I am not talking about food, I am talking about dance. I have had maybe two “Salsa” lessons in my life and it was my wife’s idea. When I think about it, I am so glad I had the experience because it has helped me as a pitcher.

Salsa definition:

A mixture of up tempo Latin styles of music. The salsa is not an actual style of Latin music; it is a style of dance. One that has become increasingly popular over time. Up beat Latin patterns and beats played together create a salsa style groove.

When you take a lesson or watch it on the hit show “Dancing with the Stars,” you will see that “Salsa” is all about the hips moving the body. Observe the video. Read more

Popularity: 16%

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