Throw THROUGH the catcher… …Not TO the Catcher
Finish with extension and the commitment of a German Shepherd chewing on a sirloin steak. That’s like finding a $100 bill in your sofa.
Think about martial arts. When a black belt blasts through wood with a karate chop he’s driving his hand to a spot six inches below the board. This ensures maximum power at contact. So let’s take this same concept to the hill. Commit 100 per cent.
Throw the ball through the catcher, through the umpire, through the backstop. Extend and fully rotate with passion to unleash all your power. Let the ball CARRY.
CAUTION: Never Strain. Never Overthrow.
I have second thoughts. I worry young guys might misunderstand.
Let’s be very careful here. There is no way I’m advising pitchers to strain and overthrow. Just the opposite. I’ve repeated my favorite words for pitchers as often as waves crash over the sand in Waikiki.
See How Easily You Can Throw Hard.
Pedro, who always got great extension out front
Throw with every cell in your body. Flowing down the hill like an avalanche. In Synch. In Rhythm. You’re that sleek, stalking Ferrari revving, roaring, fine tuned to blast on all eight cylinders.
Never overthrow. Power through your delivery like a river of liquid gold. Drive to the plate like the Roman army.
Throwing through the catcher triggers flames. Without strain.
Your arm calls shotgun and enjoys the ride as your legs and core pump serious heat to the plate. White hot velo. And your arm is protected by Secret Service agents called Rhythm, Timing and Tempo. You swept the doubleheader. Where’s that broom?
STRONG TO LONG
Strong means load. Shoulder tilt, coil, leading with your hip, driving down the hill. No mythical balance point. Your whole delivery as balanced as Nureyev. You “feel” it.
Long is extension. But, even more, it’s total, fluid rotation. You’re breaking wood with the passion of a Tae Kwon Do black belt.
STRONG to LONG is power, the Mantra of the Baseball Gods.
Ryan drives to the plate. Notice his stride foot is planting heel first, which violates all the ball of foot nonsense pitching coaches keep spewing out. When MLB pitchers drive aggressively almost all of them land a bit on their heel.
Dempster–A Classic Example
THROW THROUGH THE CATCHER
September, 2002. Friday night. The Cincinnati Reds at home against the Cubs.
Shortly after the game I dial Ryan Dempster’s cell to leave a message. He answers. He’s already at home. I’m surprised. He lives in an apartment near the park but I thought he’d still be in the clubhouse, as usual, with the guys.
“What’s happening?” I ask.
Ryan sounds unhappy. We exchange notes. Nothing profound. He says he doesn’t feel right about the way he’s been throwing. Then he asks, “What do you see?”
“You’re throwing the ball to the catcher. Not through the catcher.”
He contemplates. Then he says, “You’re right. I am throwing to and not through.”
We talk for a few more minutes. Also nothing profound. He’s pitching the next day. When we finish I ask him how he feels. “Just watch me tomorrow,” he says.
From 93 to 96 with Late Life
The next day Ryan is brilliant, his best start of the year. He finishes everything. His velocity jumps from 92-93 to 95-96. His fastball is electric with late life. His slider is tight and nasty.
He wins big, striking out 10 and giving up only three hits in seven innings as the Reds top the Cubs 3-1.
Ryan makes two more starts in September—both as strong as steel. The Reds pitching coach takes credit for the resurgence.
THROW THROUGH THE CATCHER. NOT TO THE CATCHER.
Follow My Blog
Get new content delivered directly to your inbox.
Dave Talks Baseball 