Major League Pitcher’s Control Problems Obvious But Not To Pitching Coach

by Dick Mills on May 13, 2009

Pitching mechanics are the cornerstone of pitching.  A pitcher's mechanics allows the pitcher to produce velocity, affect ball control and reduce arm injury risk.  And yet...even at the big league level pitching coaches sit back and let pitchers repeat poor throwing mechanics and then wonder why these pitchers can't perform or get injured.

If big league pitching coaches are not paying attention... then parents of youth, high school and college pitchers should wonder if their sons are getting good instruction. In most cases they are not.

Pitchers must land in a straight line toward the plate

This video shows Met's Oliver Perez who was recently demoted to the bullpen because he has not performed well.  I have watched Perez over the past four years or so and always wondered why they did not help him land in a direct line toward the plate without falling off toward first base.

This video shows Perez landing at least 8-10 inches toward the first base side of the line going toward the plate from the middle of his support foot. Then upon landing he falls off toward third base.

If the pitcher lands off-line and then falls off away from the plate it is obvious that forces are moving away from the plate as well.  This not only creates control problems and reduces velocity but adds stress on the pitcher's arm.

This should be one the very first things a coach help a pitcher fix in his pitching mechanics if he expects the pitcher to maximize his velocity, develop good control and reduce the risk of injury.