Props to Bill Hillhouse

I know it is a bit off topic...I saw a girl this weekend use a slingshot for a changeup. She had a back swing in all her pitches. She was very effective with it.

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Not to take anything away from the initial post, but I think we've all witnessed a shut down pitcher that did not rely on just speed. So knowing what you know Strike3, may lead you to be more of the thought process that the reason she was so dominant is because of the ball in glove promotion. I've watched my team struggle more against a girl that may have an unorthodox delivery.... meaning, what we would all consider far less than ideal mechanics. It can be a hitch at the top of the arm circle. It can be a strange disconnect between the upper and lower body of the pitcher. Ultimately, a pitcher can have something that makes them difficult to time. I'm a big believer that disrupting a hitters timing is the most important job a pitcher has if she wants to be successful....and if done very well, can make hitters look silly.

The young lady referenced in the initial post may have mixed speeds really well. It was mentioned that her velocity was better than average.... so if her spin was also above average, she may have had some sharp, late breaking movement. She may be able to locate each of those pitches with great command with above average velocity. It may be that this young lady had all of the pre mentioned qualities, and just happen to use a ball in glove pre-motion.

"Isn't it possible you just saw 2 guys in a green convertible..... and not necessarily these two particular guys?" ~ Vinny

I ask what they are doing if I am impressed with pitcher, just need 30 minutes to listen to them. Talk your ear off.

Crystal Brown said:

This is my own observation with my daughter.
When dd first learned to pitch, it was taught in two stages: Turn sideways to get open…then close. It created a problem with her arm circle: it was slow to start, then she would try to muscle it in the end. We added an arm swing to create some speed that she lacked at the beginning of her circle. As her mechanics improved and learned how to make it one movement instead of two, we are no longer seeing the pause, then hurry up.
I would say if the mechanics are solid, going without an arm swing gives a slight advantage…and to compete at a high level of pitching, the pitcher can use any advantage they can get. I watched another pitcher who just came out of the glove. Her arm circle was slow…I am thinking it is connected to the same problem my daughter had with opening too soon…then the heavy drag slows her down. I think with the arm swing, it can help compensate when there is a flaw in the mechanics. It doesn't fix the problem but it does allow girls who don't have great mechanics to still pitch with some speed….just my own views and opinions.

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