Expert: Rick Bundy - 3/23/2010

Question
Hey. I play shortstop and my arm used to be in good condition. How can i throw faster and further. I need help fast. Please Help Me

Answer
Gilbert:  Thank you for your question.

Not knowing your age or experience, we'll start with the basics to look at.

Here is a list of things to check:

1.  Grip:  You want to be using a four seam grip, it will provide you with more accuracy, as well as more velocity.  To get that, you want your fingers across the seams that make a "C", on the baseball.

You want your thumb directly underneath.  There should be a gap between your palm and the baseball.  If the ball is pushed back into your hand, you are in essence throwing a change up.
There is additional information on my website at www.theoleballgame.com.  Under instruction there are pages on rookie throwing and advanced throwing.

2.  Squared up to target:  Glove side knee, hip, shoulder and ankle facing your target.

3.  Arm Path:  Take the ball to your thigh, then back and up so that when you look back at the baseball, what you actually see is the back of your hand.  If you have it correct, your elbow will be up.  If you rotate the ball to the front you should see your elbow drop.  This puts a lot of pressure on the elbow, as well as causing the ball to come out the side of your hand.

Over a distance, that sideways spin on the ball will cause it to slice away from your target, thus less velocity, less power, less accuracy.  Generally tends to create soreness in the throwing elbow as well.

4.  Follow Through:  Finish up by what is sometimes called taking a bow.  It helps your body decelerate your arm and is beneficial for accuracy as well as velocity, and preventing injuries.

5.  Step On Line:  Step directly at your target with your glove side foot.  That keeps your front side closed, helping out in all areas.  If you step offline, it causes your arm and elbow to drop.  

Those are 5 areas you can check to see where you are at mechanically.

If you want to get your arm stronger, play a lot of catch, using proper mechanics.  Start short, work your way back, ending up with long toss.  The distance varies with your age and physical ability.

If things are correct, you can tell by looking at the rotation of the ball.  It should be rotating 4 seams right back towards you.  If it is rotating sideways, look back at each step and see where it is off.

Throwing and receiving are two very important tools to have.  Of the 10 possible lineup positions, only DH doesn't require that you be able to throw and catch effectively.  Those two skills are forever tied to any baseball players success level in the game.  They are worth working on.

I hope that gets you started.  Without seeing you throw, it is hard to know where you are at; but you can't go wrong getting back to the basics when things don't feel like they should to you.

Good luck as you go forward!

Yours in baseball,

Rick