Pitcher backswing question.

[Gambler Bob]

Not to be rude by answering a question with a question but, if the backswing is making her inconsistent, why have one at all?

The glaring and obvious difference to me from the examples you showed is showing the grip of the ball to the hitter. From day 1 hitters are trained to focus on the pitcher's hit where the ball is released. When someone swings their hand back, the hitter gets 2 shots at seeing the ball and grip before it's released. I'm not in the habit of helping the hitter if I can avoid it. Anyway, I'm curious if you think this backswing is an ABSOLUTE or a STYLE for your daughter.

Bill

This is my original reply from March 27th

Not rude at all and a good question. She is currently loosing about 3-4mph without any backswing. I am not a person that thinks the backswing actually adds speed but she does get some kind of timing mechanism from the backswing that allows her to throw harder.

I do not think the backswing is an absolute. Too many great pitchers do different pre-motions differently for the backswing to be an absolute.

Here is an update fro today. She is throwing just as hard without a backswing one week later. It just took a little time for her to figure out a way to load her body without using a backswing.

 

[BigSkyHi]

Was this sarcasm? Or, You don't see a backswing there on the Japanese pitcher? I see it plain as day, it's not as exaggerated as Amanda Scarborough for example but, its there. In fact, in this pitcher's case, it's a minimal backswing and it's almost as if she's dropping out of her glove for no good reason except to show the batter the grip on the ball. And like almost all pitchers who drop out or do a backswing, she's not using her glove hand or glove side of her body to help her push forward.

I just don't understand why so many ladies do this backswing. What do they think their gaining? I'm going to estimate that 99% of pitching coaches will agree that the power in pitching comes from the legs. Not the arm, not the shoulder, but the legs. How can someone get the most thrust off the rubber and the most out of their legs if they're only using 1 arm for momentum? I simply don't understand.

Bill

When I first saw her, how the right elbow was used for the negative motion reminded me of you in your training videos and the Perch Shootout. Then I went back to this Youtube of Larry Wendell. He mentions a lot of great pitchers (Jenny Finch, Cat Osterman, Michelle Smith, Angela Tincher, Eddie Feiner and Bill Hillhouse at 1:18) . Lots of way to start the delivery. Thanks for your input Bill. I do see what you are saying.

 

[Hillhouse]

I think she is attempting to throw the hitters timing off

Corn, I disagree. Although, I'm disagreeing without having another plausible explanation. However, the reason I'm disagreeing is, in fastpitch hitters are trained (or should be) not to start their swing mechanics until the pitcher is coming forward. The Abbott pauses are rather early in her delivery so the hitter doesn't have to change anything in their mechanics or timing. Moreover, Abbott is not doing anything different from pitch to pitch mechanically. If she was changing her delivery, then I think an argument could be made that she's trying to mess up the hitters. The fact that Monica uses this wind up and these mechanics while still throwing 70 mph is a testament that she's a freak of nature!! Of course, being tall and exceptionally long arms helps. Her arms are freakishly long, in fact... I hear she's only the 3rd generation in her family to be standing upright!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bill

 

[Hillhouse]

This is my original reply from March 27th

Not rude at all and a good question. She is currently loosing about 3-4mph without any backswing. I am not a person that thinks the backswing actually adds speed but she does get some kind of timing mechanism from the backswing that allows her to throw harder.

I do not think the backswing is an absolute. Too many great pitchers do different pre-motions differently for the backswing to be an absolute.

Here is an update fro today. She is throwing just as hard without a backswing one week later. It just took a little time for her to figure out a way to load her body without using a backswing.

Gambler, once a pitcher gets the timing down they will just as hard and even harder without it. But it's that whole "taking a step backwards" thing that worries pitches and parents. Losing that initial MPH on the ball scares them into not doing this, without seeing that they will be well ahead on the other side of it when they get it down. I'm glad this worked out for your daughter. PLUS, she won't be showing the ball to anyone prematurely, she will eliminate her glove hand's ability to "swim" AND... most importantly, if she ever got sore in her shoulder before, this will help prevent it. So it's truly a win-win-win for the pitcher.

Bill

 

[Hillhouse]

When I first saw her, how the right elbow was used for the negative motion reminded me of you in your training videos and the Perch Shootout. Then I went back to this Youtube of Larry Wendell. He mentions a lot of great pitchers (Jenny Finch, Cat Osterman, Michelle Smith, Angela Tincher, Eddie Feiner and Bill Hillhouse at 1:18) . Lots of way to start the delivery. Thanks for your input Bill. I do see what you are saying.

It's quite an honor to be mentioned with those pitchers. I'll have to send Larry the $10 I owe him for that compliment now. ha ha. And how dare he say Michele Smith's name without the precursor "2 time Olympic Gold medalist" before it. It's a universal law that the entire thing has to be said before you can mention Michele's name.

Bill

 

[Mike-Coach-Q]

Here’s one with her glove on

 

[BigSkyHi]

I am impressed with you and the girls. Did notice a difference in the movement of the ball hand with a glove vs no glove.

 

[uncdrew]

I'm guessing he was referring to the actual Japanese pitcher. Not to Monica Abbot.

Yeah, it cracked me up because the still shot of the video was Monica Abbot, who isn't Japanese (I know she plays there or did) and she has the biggest backswing of all time.

Yes, the other pitcher, on the white team, is Japanese and does not have a traditional backswing. The ball does pop out of the glove a bit, but it's nothing like Abbot.

 

[uncdrew]

I think she is attempting to throw the hitters timing off

I got the sense that it's really just how her style has evolved. I watched a video she did a few days ago and she does tout the importance of getting really low before (and at the beginning of) her pitch. I'm not sure emulating that is right for my DD, but I'll let her and her instructor figure that out.

 

[Hillhouse]

Yeah, it cracked me up because the still shot of the video was Monica Abbot, who isn't Japanese (I know she plays there or did) and she has the biggest backswing of all time.

Yes, the other pitcher, on the white team, is Japanese and does not have a traditional backswing. The ball does pop out of the glove a bit, but it's nothing like Abbot.

I'd say Scarborough's backswing is bigger. That is the biggest I've seen.