What can i do to add more velocity to my pitching?

Question

Im 14 and only throwing 75. Thats way lower than everyone else i see pitching and i need a way to dominate the batters as well as intimidate other pitchers. Are there any secrects or mechanical techniques that would help dramatically.

Answer 1

Build up your leg strength. Many of the great power pitchers, such as Ryan, Clemens, Seaver, and Feller, all had strong legs to push off of. Have you ever seen a picture of Seaver pitching? He dropped to one knee and pushed off, he put all that energy behind the ball. Of course, it takes arm strength too, but get to the gym, and have someone show you how to do squats, and leg presses.

Answer 2

Legs are very important, but something many people do that takes velocity off the ball is the grip the ball too tightly. You should hold the ball in a relaxed fashion with the tips of your fingers. Make sure the ball is not to far into the palm of your hand. It will take some getting used to, but friction kills speed so the idea is to reduce as much of it as you can.

Besides that the other tips should be fine.

But just to let you know, velocity is not what makes a pitcher dominate. Being able to locate you pitches and keep batters off balance is what matters (see Greg Maddux). You can throw 100mph but without control or ability to change speeds you might never succeed. A straight fastball is easy to hit once the hitter learns timing.

Answer 3

75 is okay for your age. I agree build up leg strength, and throw play catch, long toss maybe try a half dozen outfield to home plate or third base throws. Do that for about an hour every other day if you can get outside and rotate that with leg and torso exercises. Do not get caught up with looking chiseled just work on sit ups and stomach crunches and then some leg press work or squats. As far as intimidation, rear back a couple times a game and throw it above the batters head and just keep your cool if they scare you, part of pitching and hitting is intimidation do not worry about theatrics or looking crazy just have an attitude of "yeah I know exactly what I am doing" even if you are getting knocked around. Even the greats get knocked around. Nothing will dramatically change your ability right now you have to let it grow and develop on its own, with help from you by having the right workout. Also learn to change speeds, and pitch inside, throw a little chin music. Unless you are in a fall or winter league now you have a couple months to work on this and a couple of months to grow. Do not worry if stick at it you will come around. Oh yeah DO NOT forget to work on stretching go to gym and ask for guide to stretching they should have one or go on the internet.

Answer 4

That's not as slow as you seem to think it is. The speed could be improved, but you can still get away with throwing your fastballs.

My advice: Talk to your coach about exercises you can do. Remember, power comes from the legs too, not just your arm. Pushing off the rubber is just as important as your arm motion, so be sure to run a lot. Also, worry more about accuracy. 75 mph is not bad for a 14 year old. As you get older, it becomes more and more important to be able to get your pitches to cross the edges of the plate. Another advantage to focusing more on accuracy is that throwing too hard as a high-schooler can make your arm slower in the future.

By the way, don't expect dramatic improvements. You could get your pitches into the 80's soon, but don't expect to be throwing near 90 a year from now.

Answer 5

pitching is more than just throwing 100 miles an hour,you need pin-point control,2 or 3 pitches,and you have to be in great shape.Believe me when I tell you throwing 100 plus pitches as hard as you can takes it out of you,not to mention it 95 degrees outside.As the others have said LEGS are very important to a pitcher,if you learn to use your legs properly you can add 3-4 mph to your fastball.Don't worry about intimitation let your pitching do your talking for you.A pitch I liked was the circle change it makes hitters look like fools

Answer 6

How previous are you? Your age would be sure how lots greater solid you could pitch. in case you could upload some mph which could make a difference. with the aid of long tossing and throwing usually and staying in shape. Get your legs good and do plyometrics. whether, attempt to characteristic stream on your fastball and placement. substitute speeds and use your ideas besides. do not enable the final hitter on the gang beat you.

Answer 7

Leg strength, and DO NOT PALM the ball. Use your fingertips, with a little gap between the ball and your palm. It will tend to "pop" out of your hand that way when you release, and that will add about 5 to 10 mph to your pitches. Also, add a layer of clothing under your jersey and sleeves...Most major-league pitchers wear long-johns under their uniforms when they play...just make sure you don't dehydrate yourself or overheat. But keeping loose and your muscles warm between innings is important...

Answer 8

Yes, build your leg strength, and pull your arm back as much as possible. Also, try to get used to pitching off a hill, and try different techiques, and go with what is the most natural movement for your arm.

Answer 9

You need to make your legs stronger by running and stuff like that. OR Just become a spot pitcher...you dont have to overpower everybody at that age...you hit your spots develop a really good changeup and maybe a good curve you'll be unhittable

Answer 10

im playing varsity high school baseball, i'm 15 and 1/2 years old (sophemore). i only can pitch about 75 mph too, on my heater. its actually not about speed, its about the movement on your pitches. you should be go through your freshman and sophemore year playing jv baseball. no need to work on speed, but work on movement and the way yu throw pitches.