The Kelly Barnhill Thread

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Feb 7, 2013
3,188
48
Say what you will about her mechanics, I think the fact that the #1 team in the nation has a starting pitcher that wears a mask says volumes to the change of attitude by coaches that whether or not you wear a mask is irrelevant as long as you can compete.
 
Jun 18, 2010
2,624
38
Compare two Florida Pitcher's Styles:

Barnhill & Ocasio


compare_zpsfyq7mn4d.png
 

marriard

Not lost - just no idea where I am
Oct 2, 2011
4,312
113
Florida
First I have got to see Barnhill on TV. Highly athletic and powerful.. that is impressive.

However might as well say this as it is... that is basically a mens fastpitch leap into a replant (not exactly staying in the pitching lane all the time either). Forget the replant - the leap itself is blatant and she gets what looks like 24" closer to the batter than she would without it and if it is blatant on the monitor I am watching the game on it must be really obvious live. That's the equivalent of 6mph or so in reaction time which is a huge deal when she can power it up over 70mph. At least Nevins et al were somewhat trying to not do this even if they were not successful most of the time. Opposing coaches have every right to be bursting blood vessels complaining to umpires if she continues doing this - illegal and clearly gaining an advantage.

If this is going to be 'allowed', what is the point of all the work anyone does to stay legal? I hope they call it when they away from Tim Walton Selects The Umpire Field.
 
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Feb 17, 2014
7,152
113
Orlando, FL
Anyone got any idea how fast that pitch was ???

During the Michigan Florida game last Saturday she was not leaping nearly as much. Her speed was in the low to mid-60's. However, she did leap big a few times and the velocity went right up. I have gunned her numerous times and she has no problem hitting 70 mph. My guess based on the leap is this is at the upper end of her range.
 
Feb 7, 2013
3,188
48
the leap itself is blatant and she gets what looks like 24" closer to the batter than she would without it and if it is blatant on the monitor I am watching the game on it must be really obvious live. That's the equivalent of 6mph or so in reaction time which is a huge deal when she can power it up over 70mph. At least Nevins et al were somewhat trying to not do this even if they were not successful most of the time. Opposing coaches have every right to be bursting blood vessels complaining to umpires if she continues doing this - illegal and clearly gaining an advantage.

If this is going to be 'allowed', what is the point of all the work anyone does to stay legal? I hope they call it when they away from Tim Walton Selects The Umpire Field.

How do you know that her "leap" is giving her an extra two feet of distance? Maybe her drive mechanics are very strong compared to Ocasio, for example? Jennie Finch could reach the front of the circle with her stride foot dragging, maybe Barnhill could too?
 
Dec 12, 2012
1,668
0
On the bucket
Say what you will about her mechanics, I think the fact that the #1 team in the nation has a starting pitcher that wears a mask says volumes to the change of attitude by coaches that whether or not you wear a mask is irrelevant as long as you can compete.

Noticed that too.
Also in the A&M v SHSU game, both pitchers wore a mask. It's coming around.
 

marriard

Not lost - just no idea where I am
Oct 2, 2011
4,312
113
Florida
How do you know that her "leap" is giving her an extra two feet of distance? Maybe her drive mechanics are very strong compared to Ocasio, for example? Jennie Finch could reach the front of the circle with her stride foot dragging, maybe Barnhill could too?

Honestly height, leg length and jumping versus hard striding. Barnhill doesn't appear very long legged and Finch definitely is. I have also seen the difference with mens and womans pitching style and coaches and how the higher level mens pitchers looked when they teach and demonstrate womans fastpitch drag.

Kelly Barnhill 5' 8"
Jenny Finch 6'+

Even if they equally long-legged, that is minimally 8" of stride length she would need to make up to reach the same point on the circle as Finch.
 
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JJsqueeze

Dad, Husband....legend
Jul 5, 2013
5,436
38
safe in an undisclosed location
Read her bio on the Gators website. She's done a lot dominating for someone so unorthodox.

She really isn't unorthodox. She is pitching with the "not close to 6 foot but want to hit 70" set of mechanics. She and Carda are twins. Lots of college pitchers pitch with this type of mechanics set. it is illegal, but not unorthodox. In a way they sacrifice the ability to have true curve/drop/rise pitches and pinpoint control in order to throw 5 mph faster than they would if they threw with more of brush style. I still think there is a dividing line as I have yet to see a skippy replanter that had good brush. I think they have to lean and clear to accommodate the forward push off that rear leg. that replant kind of tilts their bodies more forward so if they released at the brush point they would throw high powered dirt balls, they have to clear in order to let that replant transfer to their whip and still have a decent release angle that can get across the plate, I also think this is why, on a whole they are quite a bit less accurate than the great brushers.
 

JAD

Feb 20, 2012
8,231
38
Georgia
How do you know that her "leap" is giving her an extra two feet of distance? Maybe her drive mechanics are very strong compared to Ocasio, for example? Jennie Finch could reach the front of the circle with her stride foot dragging, maybe Barnhill could too?

I think Jenny Finch is 6'2" and Kelly Barnhill is 5'8"....
 

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