THE MATTER OF ARM ANGLES

By Dr. John Bagonzi

When correlation are made between velocity and mechanics, the one area that often gets overlooked is arm angles. Throwing from the correct arm slot can often mean increases in velocity, movement, and improvement in control particularly for someone who has his mechanics reasonably developed.

We visually consider a large clock facing the hurler and he is essentially toward the center of it - then we can ascribe numbers to identity arm elevations. (See diagram below)

It is probably almost impossible to throw from the 12 o'clock position - although some pitchers come close. A 1 O'clock slot would be overhand. A 2 o'clock slot would be (3/4) three-quarter arm. A 3 o'clock would be for a right-handed pitcher (RPH). For a lefty (LHP) 11 o'clock would be overhand, 10 o'clock would be three-quarter and 9 o'clock would be side arm.

Anything below 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock would be underhand. Graduations would be overhand plus (between 1 o'clock and 12 o'clock) for a RHP. For a lefty (LHP) it would be between 11 o'clock and 12 o'clock (overhand plus.

Obviously we faced the picture from the other side (looking at it from the batter-catcher standpoint) the clock numbers would be reversed. But let's be sure we continue with the pitcher facing the clock for this explanation.

Overhand minus or three-quarter plus (same) would be 1 o'clock and 2 o'clock for a RHP. For a LHP, it would be between 11 o'clock and 10 o'clock. For three-quarter minus or sidearm plus (same) it would be 2 o'clock and 3 o'clock for a RHP. For an LHP it would be between 10 o'clock and 9 o'clock.

For my money three-quarter plus or overhand minus for both RHP's and LHP's is the best arm slot. It has leveraged the downward trajectory possibility and, bodes well not only for velocity and movement on the fastball, but also for breaking pitches. Obviously other arm slots can also work for various pitches. One might ask how to determine correct arm slot, and I always use in my instruction the following drill:

1. Go to center field.
2. Line up about 5 baseballs (horizontally) on the ground.
3. Have pitcher(s) get behind a ball.
4. Take a short run to scoop up the ball.
5. Take a running step or crow-hop.
6. Throw to home plate on the fly (have catcher positioned there).

Take note of the arm angle the pitcher uses to get the ball to the plate with his best throw. (Record arm angle.)

Another drill with similar effect is to place FIVE (5) balls in the deep shortstop hole and have a runner at the plate ready to go on a cue. Have a pitcher scoop up ball and throw to first to try and beat the runner. Again note the arm angle and record.

Arm angles are something that should be stable. Wandering around ala El Duque, Dave Cone, or Louis Tiant is only reserved for the very seasoned pitchers. Obviously it is an advantageous way of pitching once a degree of mastery has been developed - mainly because it offsets the hitters eye level.

To establish a consistent arm angle for the fastball, curve (slider) and change-up is desirable so that the batter cannot detect differences in pitches due to different elevations.

Good batters look for slight deviations in arm angles that are associated with variations in pitches and are quite adept at picking them up and adjusting quickly to them.

One needs to find out early where his best arm slot is and then work into his system of refined mechanics. Fine tuning with arm angles is an area where the pitching technicians need to observe carefully before making adjustments - A radar gun will help to determine positive results.

THE IDEA OF UNDERHAND PITCHING AND THE CASE FOR IT

I almost always stop short of encouraging young pitching aspirants to throw sidearm or even less - underhanded. The radar gun always tells me that the velocity difference between overhand or three-quarter and sidearm - underhand is substantial. I've noted as much as a 10-mph difference. Unless a pitching coach with considerable expertise can recognize that there is a significant effectiveness and advantage from a "down south (underhand) approach, I feel strongly that a young pitcher should pitch "upstairs" (overhand or three-quarter) as far as arm angle is concerned.

Obviously baseball is loaded with outstanding underhand - sidearm pitchers. Some have been Dan Quissenberry, Kent Telkulve, Dick Hyde, Ted Abernathy, Dennis Eckersley (SA), Ewell Blackwell (SA), Carl Mays, and Eldon Auker to mention a few. Some were outstanding relievers which seems to be the underhand (-SA) pitchers forte. Obviously a different trajectory late in a game will prove to be a dilemma for batters. Fastballs that sink and curve balls that rise are surely not the norm as the daily pitching menu will usually provide.

Some reasons why a pitcher might want to throw underhand are:

1. Can't throw overhand (particularly hard). There are some that cannot generate arm speed at the top.
2. Has better control underhand,
3. Gets better movement on the ball (Fastball runs and skinks - curve ball appears to lt).
4. Comfortable pitching from this angle.
5. Has more confidence in this arm angle than a higher one.
6. Gets good results - gets batters out.

The danger of this style of pitching that you are coming precariously close to the batters hitting plane and balls that are up may be easy for batters to see and level off on.

Things that need to be accomplished in order to make a change to underhand pitching would be:

1. Fastball must run and sink - it does not, then there must be high velocity to the underhand fast ball. This doesn't happen - can (get rid of) this delivery.
2. Curve or slider must rise or appear to rise - this phenomenon is probably due to release point and the opposite effect from a sinking fastball. It is likely an illusion, although trajectory effects may actually be from low to high - giving the pitch the impression it goes up. Aerodynamically it is possible the pitch goes up because the slider like spin (bullet) or curve (3 to 9) spin (sees photo 3B). When this happens, the uniqueness of the pitch creates a rarity to the batter making it very effective.
3. Control must be very precise and the ball must be generally kept in the low strike zone.
4. Must be stress free.

I once pitched a game underhand - in college- it was an exhibition game with another college team - mainly a practice game, and I pitched exclusively underhand mixing fastballs and curve balls. This was a complete experiment as I was experiencing shoulder discomfort throwing overhand which was my natural delivery. I had no discomfort throwing underhand which is unexplainable (because there probably is a little more stress throwing underhand particularly in the shoulder). The result was six innings two-hit shutout. Fly balls off the curve balls and ground balls off the fast ball which did sink some - made this an intriguing way of pitching. However I did not follow up on this, and I certainly was a standard overhand pitcher in my career. Dabbling with the underhand version however gave me an appreciation of its effect.

While I'm not a booster of throwing underhand-sidearm - I surely recognize and appreciate its potential and all the pitchers who have thrown that way.

One should take the time to analyze arm angles. Subtle corrections in my experience have often benefited the pitcher in terms of velocity, movement and interestingly location. Arm angles are not cast in stone. Experimentation usually with a coach or fellow pitcher observing can yield some very revealing developments.

I believe in the three quarter plus slot (can be called overhand minus) because it enhances a somewhat diagonal angle as well as the downward trajectory, thereby suggesting movement, and intimidation along quite likely with velocity.

Breaking pitches such as the down curve, slider-cutter and splitter are likely equally enhanced with the three-quarter plus delivery. This is not to say other arm angles can't do the same. However, optimum action from the above mentioned pitches seems to come from this angle.

Parts of developing a functional value of pitching mechanics as well as an artistic even is making arm angles fit the mechanical process. Body builds often limit the desire arm slot. When this happens experimentation under careful observation may give good results.