Leg Slapping?

[dbronstein]

I see pitchers who do a big thigh slap at the start of their windup and I don't get it. It seems like a lot of wasted energy on every pitch.

 

[Rocketech1]

I see pitchers who do a big thigh slap at the start of their windup and I don't get it. It seems like a lot of wasted energy on every pitch.

Yes, but more importantly, they are showing the ball and grip to the batter, longer. Instead, keep the glove on the same side as the ball hand on the back swing to hide the grip longer. As the batters get better at recognizing grips, the leg slappers on the back swing will be at a disadvantage (all things being equal).