THROW THROUGH THE CATCHER

Rowan Wick got the golden stamp of approval last week from Cubs manager David Ross.

“Ro has definitely established himself for next year,” Ross said.

How has Wick dug deep into the closer’s role with the Cubs? Here’s one answer.  

THROW THROUGH THE CATCHER

When Ryan Dempster was with the Reds in 2003 I called him one night in September. He was pitching the next day but he wasn’t going well. “What do you see?” he asked.

“You’re throwing the ball TO the catcher. Throw it THROUGH the catcher.”

Ryan got the message. His velocity jumped, he fired seven shutout innings, 11 K’s, three hits. Of course, the Cincinnati pitching coach took the credit.

Throwing THROUGH the catcher is ONE HUNDRED PER CENT commitment. You bury your shoulder to the plate. Rowan understands this like Einstein on the hill. It’s one of the keys to his velocity pumping the tires to 96-97.

Despite what weighted ball gurus preach, velocity is based on ARM SPEED, not arm strength. And ARM SPEED starts with HIP ROTATION.

THE KEY TO VELOCITY

Faster HIP ROTATION leads to faster SHOULDER ROTATIION.
Faster SHOULDER ROTATION means faster ARM SPEED.
Faster ARM SPEED is increased VELOCITY.

It’s that simple. Your HIPS are the key to throwing harder.

So how do we speed up hip rotation? Pitching drills will accomplish little. Over the years I’ve learned the secret is more mental than physical.   

Your MIND controls your body. So let your MIND charge your heater. THINK about revving your hips. THINK about driving your FINISH with your hand rotating to the outside of your knee. THINK about throwing the ball THROUGH the catcher, THROUGH the umpire, THROUGH the backstop.

Your body will  become a floored FERRARI and dramatically jump the speed of your HIP ROTATION.

Don’t strain and injure your arm. Just the opposite. THINK your HIPS into VELOCITY. They’ll rotate like a break dancer with pedal to the metal.

In the next two posts I’ll give you more reasons why Rowan is so locked in. Don’t go away.