- Aug 21, 2008
- 2,390
- 113
I personally find the "flap" to be irrelevant because of a different orientation of how to trigger the release of the ball- meaning that the upper inside of the forearm brushes the hip as the reference for when, where, and how the ball is released. There is no question in my mind that most of the elite pitchers use this very tried and true technique. If one studies the side view, short 4 second slow motion video clip of Jennie Finch on U tube, it shows very clearly the upper inside of her forearm catching her hip as she releases the ball and the primary swing point of her pitching arm at release is her elbow. ( This may be unfair to say this because it comes from second and third hand information; but Jennie's father, Doug, disapproves IMO of brushing the hip which could indicate how controversial and misunderstood this brushing action is. ) The video I see of Angela Tincher demonstrates this brushing technique also. And possibly the highest positioned pitching coach in the Nation today believes in a brushing style. So IMO the flap is unnecessary because of this hip referencing.
Ummmmm, ok. I still think this is a great tool for helping a pitcher get away from the 2 major mechanical flaws that occur the most: hip/hand coming through together (hello elbow) and a gap between arm and body at release. If used in front of a mirror she can work on brushing her arm past her body and use the flag as a target to hit as she does this.
Doug Finch seems like a nice guy to me, from what little I know of him and about him. I'll leave it at that.
Bill