Changing delivery motion

I recognize this will be difficult to describe in words. I do not have a video to put up yet.

When DD first started pitching she came up with a unique double-pump movement with her arms before she started bringing her pitching arm up. I've heard opposing coaches talk about how it messes up a batters timing. She was doing well with it.

Yesterday she decided to try pitching without the double-pump. Her new motion seems a bit smoother overall. It seems like her control is equally as good with this new motion, and though we have not check with a radar yet, her speed seems noticeably faster.

Does it make sense that a change in her delivery motion could lead to an increase in her pitch speed?

Bob516 said:

I recognize this will be difficult to describe in words. I do not have a video to put up yet.

When DD first started pitching she came up with a unique double-pump movement with her arms before she started bringing her pitching arm up. I've heard opposing coaches talk about how it messes up a batters timing. She was doing well with it.

Yesterday she decided to try pitching without the double-pump. Her new motion seems a bit smoother overall. It seems like her control is equally as good with this new motion, and though we have not check with a radar yet, her speed seems noticeably faster.

Does it make sense that a change in her delivery motion could lead to an increase in her pitch speed?

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Must see a clip.

Bob516 said:

I recognize this will be difficult to describe in words. I do not have a video to put up yet.

When DD first started pitching she came up with a unique double-pump movement with her arms before she started bringing her pitching arm up. I've heard opposing coaches talk about how it messes up a batters timing. She was doing well with it.

Yesterday she decided to try pitching without the double-pump. Her new motion seems a bit smoother overall. It seems like her control is equally as good with this new motion, and though we have not check with a radar yet, her speed seems noticeably faster.

Does it make sense that a change in her delivery motion could lead to an increase in her pitch speed?

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Absolutely. Especially if she is doing as you describe a "double pump". Anything you can do to simplify and smooth out the motion will help with location, movement, and velocity.

riseball said:

Absolutely. Especially if she is doing as you describe a "double pump". Anything you can do to simplify and smooth out the motion will help with location, movement, and velocity.

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Good to know. She wanted some validation her speed could be faster. We both think it looks faster, but I am the first to admit I am terrible at seeing differences in pitch speeds.

She decided to make this change the day after her PC left for a two week vacation, so she does not have a knowledgable source to offer an opinion on this change.

Bob516 said:

Good to know. She wanted some validation her speed could be faster. We both think it looks faster, but I am the first to admit I am terrible at seeing differences in pitch speeds.

She decided to make this change the day after her PC left for a two week vacation, so she does not have a knowledgable source to offer an opinion on this change.

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To throw any pitch you have to get open and get your arm to 12. This is an absolute. How you get there is a matter of style and does not matter so long as you are consistent and loose. That said, a double pump, snatch, etc. is not conducive to either. Kind of like running to the starting line to get into a position to start a race. If you saw that at a track meet you would laugh and think it looked ridiculous. The same goes for pitching. All of the gyrations and fast movement prior 12 are just silly and counterproductive. I have had great results just by simplifying and slowing down everything prior to 12. Every one of the many pitchers I have worked with has benefited from this. I have yet to tell one to speed up. As many of us have said before - Slow to the load, then explode.

riseball said:

All of the gyrations and fast movement prior 12 are just silly and counterproductive. I have had great results just by simplifying and slowing down everything prior to 12. Every one of the many pitchers I have worked with has benefited from this. I have yet to tell one to speed up. As many of us have said before - Slow to the load, then explode.

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I know this is true for my DD with both pitching and hitting. The more she simplifies her movements the better mechanics she has. When she first started pitching at around the age of 11 or 12 she was a double pumper, then switched to a single arm backswing, and just about 6 months ago in the middle of her Junior year switched to no backswing and she is throwing better than ever. I say never be afraid to experiment and allow your DD to evolve as a pitcher.