how do you increase velocity in both baseball and softball?

Question

my girl and i are both varsity pitchers looking to become more odminant using speed. any ideas?

Answer 1

I am a sophmore, I start SS on Varsity. But when im not playing shortstop, I pitch. I led my team in stikeouts and ERA. I know you want to improve your speed and thats fine. Just don't get so caught up in that that you forget to throw the good stuff. I throw a cutter, 2 seam, knuckle-curve, splitfinger, and a C change. It's important to throw hard, but I only throw 75. You need to e-mail me and I will give you tips on how to throw some killer pitches. I used to throw 80 2 years ago, but I blew my arm out. I went to the doctor and found out that i have a diseas in my elbow. "Reverse Tennis Elbow." I can throw harder but I choose not to because sometimes it's just better to throw slow. You learn how to throw killer off speed pitches, and you'll see what I mean.

Answer 2

There are several theories, but most pitching coaches will say working on balance and getting a good "push off" with the legs is very important. Most pitchers dont concentrate enough on using their legs correctly to get the most out of their pitches. Think about how where your front leg ends up as you finish your stride right as you are releasing your pitch.

Working on arm strength is important. Obviously having a strong throwing arm will help, but its not as important as good mechanics.

A friend of mine made it into the Boston Red Sox minor league system. He said that they had him use weighted balls... They weighed more then a baseball, so he had to work just a bit harder to get the same velocity. After a while he noticed that he could throw the baseball harder.

I really would advise finding a good pitching coach and work out with him. Even if you cant afford to train full time, just have him take a look at you a couple of times - he can help break down your mechanics and give you some advise.


Dr. John Bagnozi, who was a pitcher with Boston (not my friend, btw) has a really great website. There are a lot of suggestions on how to improve your pitching - including increasing your velocity. He also explains how to work on your stride, as well as "covering the box" - check it out.

Answer 3

ok first i too am a varsity pitcher although im a freshman i still think you could get some use out of me, i throw 83 and im goin to the world national tournament in holand just for pitching. and my mother is a varsity softball coach.

now in order to increase velocity, you dont HAVE to throw the ball harder. its a matter of form, core strength (abbs), rotaion, relase point, and most importantly balance.

in order to even get close to throwing in the 80-90 range you have proper stride and release point. the further out front you relase the ball (throwing overhand that is) the closer to the plate the ball starts meaning the batter has tenths of a second less to react to the pitch. master getting the ball out front and you'll pick up 2-3 mph.

then there is the push off. the rubber isnt there to just mark the spot on the mound. what i do is a start with my foot a little ****** so i can get more drive of the back of my legs and more power is generated. that gets your body moving forward towards the plate.

then comes the proper rotation of the torso and core. your core is the most valueable part of you body as a pitcher, more or less an athletic. havin a strong core can make you have a HUGEEE burst of power. it is also the main balance point as a pitcher. after you drive off the mound you have to control your body so it doesnt swing to the opposite side. using your core and stabilizing your weight towards the center as you release the ball is how you do it.

NOW. FOR ALL YOU PEOPLE THAT SAY YOU HAVE TO THROW HARDER!
no actually you dont. if you start throwing harder then your primarily using your arm. you dont get enough body into the ball when you "START THROWING HARDER". that will cause a sling shot motion. tearing ligiments and such (trust me ive had it happen)

in order to throw harder you have to be smooth and fundamentaly sound. everything has to be like a machine, all one working part. you cant have one part moving out of motion and another speeding up to quickly this will not make you throw any harder.

its the pitch where you "feel" as if you didnt throw hard and have anything on it that just may be your fastest pitch of the game. thats how you should pitch every pitch.

PLUS

speed isnt as important as movement in highschool ball.

learn how to get movement first

AS FOR SOFTBALL

my mother doesnt exactly fill me in with all the mechanics. i know some but not enough that i can explain and help with.

good luck =]

(not bad for a freshman in h.s huh?)

Answer 4

Velocity is a gift to a lot of people. To get more velocity you will have to streghten your legs. Running is a the best thing a pitcher can do to develop more arm strenght and stamina. I was a pitcher for a long time and running helped me a lot. Squats with weights really work also. You also have to realize that speed alone will not dominate you will have to work on location and changing speeds. Good luck

Answer 5

like others have said, leg strength is key. another thing to mention is that extremely strong arms can make you bulky and make it very difficult for softball players to pitch. if you cant get the arm around in a straight cirular motion as in softball pitching, the speed wont be as high and accuracy may be compromised. a smooth pitching motion is also essential. as for baseball i assume some of the same is true, however at my college the best pitcher has huge arms and they are all on roids (but they all have huge legs too)

Answer 6

The only thing that you can do to improve your velocity is to throw and throw and throw. That's what builds arm strength, and arm strength = speed. The best pitch to throw to build that arm strength is a fastball.

Captain Jack also mentioned leg strength and Tom Seaver, Seaver was what's known as a "drop and drive" pitcher. If you can't find films of Seaver, try Mark Gubicza or Nolan Ryan.

Answer 7

Velocity comes from height. Make sure they are getting as much initial velocity on the ball so that the final velocity is greatest.

Make sure the entire body is being used behind the throw. The follow through should leave you completely on your planting foot.

Answer 8

...take a large step forward...to almost where you back knee touches the ground...and use your legs in motion with your arm.

works in both baseball and softball...drive with the legs.

Look at old Tom Seaver video for classic use. His right knee would get dirty from getting so low.

Answer 9

THERE ARE ALOT OF ANSWERS HERE BUT LISTEN TO ME!
IVE TRIED MANY DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES..THESE ARE THE BEST ONES FOR BASEBALL ( THEY MAY WORK FOR SOFTBALLL ALSO!)
- use your body more (more drive in your body is more speed)
-drive your legs (use your legs to drive your body towards the plate)
-flick of the fingers/wrist (you can add mph to your pitch just by adding more "flick" when you throw the ball)

Answer 10

You have to be tall (i.e. Randy Johnson) or have leg strength (i.e. Roger Clemens). And according to my calculations, you can only control leg strength, so build up those legs if you're not a giant.