Expert: John Priest - 10/27/2008

Question
I asked a Q to John Mc this year at th beginning of the year about breaking pitches im 14 have ok speed, but i want to get an in your face hard fastball. Is there any way i can develop this, im about 6ft 1in tall 12o- 130 lbs and ill be varsity this year:) if you can help me with this. also any good bat speed tips would help. My other pitches besides the fastball are whch are two seam, 4seam, my variation of a cutter, a curve ball that breaks 12-8 o clock, and a slurve being my strikeout pitch, please help!!!!!!!!hh if u know John tell him the change up kid said hi and we won the champion ship 11-8 i pitched 6 2/3inn and gave up 5 earned runs with 8 so

Answer
Taylor,
    I mainly deal with hitters but arm speed and bat speed are closely related.  To get speed you need three ingredients.  First you need flexibility, second you need strength, and third you need mechanics.  With all of these components together you will have power (Power = flexibility + strength + speed).  None of this goes anywhere with out a good base of mechanics.  There is a scientific explanation to power which is:  If a force is allowed to act through a distance, it is doing mechanical work. Similarly, if torque is allowed to act through a rotational distance, it is doing work. Power is the work per unit time. However, time and rotational distance are related by the angular speed where each revolution results in the circumference of the circle being travelled by the force that is generating the torque. The power injected by the applied torque may be calculated as: Power = Torque X Angular Speed.  Angular velocity describes the speed of rotation and the orientation of the instantaneous axis about which the rotation occurs. The direction of the angular velocity vector will be along the axis of rotation.  Torque is a measure of how much a force acting on an object causes that object to rotate. In other words you need to create a strong axis of rotation and rotate around it as fast as you can with good mechanics.  
    Hitters and pitchers need to create an axis of rotation.  This axis is created with the back hip and shoulder.  As you rotate your backside weather you are hitting or pitching you are creating torque and ultimately angular velocity.  The faster you rotate the faster you throw or swing.  You should be on a weight lifting program to improve your strength especially your legs and abdominal muscles.  Be sure to stretch before, during, and after lifting and anytime you can in between.  The more flexible you get the faster you can move.  
    Ultimately without good pitching mechanics and hitting mechanics good speed will get you nowhere.  You need to be able to use the speed and strength correctly and efficiently by making sure you have perfect mechanics.  Having perfect mechanics is one thing but make sure you understand them.  Also, understanding hitting mechanics will make you a better pitcher because you will be able to recognize faults and pitch to them.

Good Luck,
John Priest