Basic Pitching Mechanics
Pitching is fairly simple, right? All you do is pick up the ball, throw it as hard as you can, and wait around until the next guy bats, right? Not so fast. Everything in pitching, from throwing strikes to staying healthy, largely hinges on establishing proper pitching mechanics. The key to pitching mechanics is learning them early, before you form any bad habits.
Know your Position
Pitchers start from one of two positions: the windup or the stretch.
From the Wind-Up
Start by standing on the mound’s rubber, with your feet shoulder-width apart and toes just barely dangling off the front. Hold your glove in front of your chest, with your elbows resting on both sides of your torso.
From the Stretch
Place your body so it faces third base (righties) or first base (lefties). Your back foot should be placed against the rubber, with your other foot an inch or two in front.
Get a Grip
Grip the ball to throw your pitch of choice. Keep the ball in your glove while you do this, so as not to tip your pitch to the batter.
Step Back to Step Forward
Take a small step back with your glove-side foot. Lift your left leg to the point where your thigh becomes parallel with the ground or higher. Shift your weight to your back leg, push off.
Gloves & Pitching Tips Articles, Videos & HowTos
Choosing baseball gloves is a question of getting the right size and glove style for your position. Most players prefer certain types of designs, such as open or closed webs and backs.
Do you need help learning how to throw baseball pitches? This step-by-step guide will tell you all the mechanics of pitching a baseball properly.
Baseball gloves come in a bewildering variety. Learn how to spot the quality gloves and to pass up the bad ones.
Do you know how to break in a baseball glove? Chances are, you've heard about more than one way to do it.
Do you want to learn how to throw a baseball faster? Increasing your velocity comes with focusing on improving your entire body.
Mindspark™ properties: