- Jul 26, 2010
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The pause, or hitch is just part of the timing for a replanter. When the replanter swings the arms out/forward during the drive, they often open up (coil) to the point where the back pocket and jersey number can be seen by the catcher. The drive leg knee cocks back and in most cases, the sole of the foot faces down. The arm circle pauses slightly to time the whip off of the replant.
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The drive, coil and fire mechanics are different from the classic leap/drag pitcher:
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I'd also bet you can find a pause/hitch in many classic leap & drag pitchers, which is just timing the whip into the plant of the stride foot.
I’ve only worked with a couple replanters and cannot say I’ve had any luck. In one case, neither the parents/coaches or the pitcher, really cared enough to work on it outside of lessons and the other was a drive-by lesson. I’d like another shot at one, but without motivation prompted by umpires calling it, it might be a tough sell….
These (I call them "pitcher butt" because the pitchers pitch with their backsides towards the catcher) issues are caused by striding by throwing the stride foot in an arc, trying to open from the get-go of the pitch, instead of striding forward engaging the knee directly towards the catcher by employing the hip-flexors. The pitchers need to go forward before they go open in order to correct this.
-W