How to add velocity to fastball?

Question

I'm a freshman in high school and 15 years old. I am 6'2'' without shoes on and with cleats I'm closer to 6'3''. I weigh about 200 pounds and throw anywhere from 75-78 with my fastball. I have never been really instructed on how to use my body in pitching, so I know I'm throwing almost all with my arm. I have very long, strong legs with big calves and thighs. I was wondering what there was to do to develop or gain speed on my fastball?

Other information:
I have a three quarters arm slot
do not have a high leg kick (like clemens does)
My arms are very weak, I have little muscle in them
I'm almost done growing. X-Rays revealed growth plates were almost closed. I have about an inch to gain.


I have a good curve and cutter and a two seamer that moves about two feet down and away to left handers, so I just need to boost my speed. Accuracy is there also. At the level I'm at, I am able to blow away batters and strike out 7-10 a game, but I want to be able ot play in college.

Answer 1

First off you have good height strong upper body helps but pitching is 30% body strength 70% technique ask yourself these questions

1.do i have good balance from the point of my rotation into my stride.

2.am I using full arm motion = on a 360 degree scale wich means are you releasing the ball at the top point into your stretch.

3.you say you have long legs that is a good tool for alot of pitchers. question from me to you. So I can be a bit more helpful . After you go into your stretch from the wind up what is the position of your trail leg into your stretch do have a habbit of pushing off the mound . Not good gets you into bad habbits .Its more like a pulling off the mound into the stride then pushing into the release .
A good practice for this is stand at the mound go into your routine simulate your movements to the place go step by step every motion check your body position into each step. Break it down steps 1 to 5

1.your starting stance Check your balance
2.your raise into your windup check balance look at your footing

3. from windup into your stride check balance arm position did you get proper waist rotation did you push off the mound.

4 look at your arm are you at your right release point .is it in correct position if not at a perfect point gonna cause loss of velocity and cause improper control of the pitch.

5 check your balance after the stretch do you still have proper balance.



causes balance issues and takes away from your volicity and has a tendency of causing alot of wild pitches. Do you see
yourself with this problem?

The leg kick is a tool but if you dont have balance from the kick to the stride your wasting your time .

4. Do you have proper waist rotation going from windup to the stretch this is important. (note) proper hip motion=rotation) if your not balanced going from your turn into the stride this will cause a potential loss of velocity thats where alot of power pitchers get this down to tee.

You say you have a 3qtr arm slot question when you release the ball at what point of your stride are you release what is your arm position .Always release the ball at the top of you stride Balance+ release point = velocity .I hope this gives you some ideas on where your at or where you need to be at .Please feal free to e-mail question's if you have any .Id be glad to help

Answer 2

long toss. i picked up about 5mph over one summer. i also agree one the leg kick and drive to the plate. keep your wind up slow and it will make the ball seem faster to the batter. although at 15 that is not bad velocity. concentrate on location, keep it around the knees. outside and inside. you will find out the farther you go that it does not matter how hard it is thrown if it is belt high it is gonna get hit. keep the batter guessing, good luck. i played college ball with a 80mph fastball and lots of junk mixed in. after a good curve, 80 looks like 90.

Answer 3

Be carefull. Pitchers are prone to meet an eary doom by overexercising the pitch to gain more speed. As long as you are growing do normal training. You risk growth defects if you overdo it. (consult your physiotherapist, If you don't have one... THAT's a good place to start)

Answers given here are advice. You need a personal coach if you want to improve beyond your 'natural' ability. Not meaning you should take controled substances but a personal trainer that knows you and sees where you can improve on what comes natural to you.

Answer 4

I have coached baseball for 7 years ages 12-16 and teach my peachers to hold the ball with 2 fingers across the seams.Also the harder you push off the mound can pick up 4-6 more mile and hour.Try to raise your leg kick up to your chest tthis makes you lunge forade and makes you throw harder.Good luck.

Answer 5

Get some video of your pitching. Its all in the wind-up as each moving body part (legs... back ...shoulder ...elbow ...wrist) gives increased speed to the next. Watch your self carefully on video to see where you can improve.

Answer 6

long toss, the only way to get a stronger arm is to throw more, it's the same as working out your muscles.