What is dick mills talking about?

[Charger567]

http://www.pitching.com/article/pitching-velocity-most-are-wasting-valuable-time-trying-to-get-it/

I really can't understand what he is suggesting.

How Do Skinny Pitchers Throw Hard?

If more general strength or arm strength is such a big factor for velocity improvement then these coaches should be able to explain why skinny pitchers are able to throw with above average or overpowering velocity. But they can't.

I use Irvin Santana, the young RH pitcher for the Angels as an example. He is listed at 6'2", 160 lbs soaking wet. He has skinny legs, skinny arms, and is just plain skinny overall. Yet he pitches at 92-96 mph continuously. Most of these coaches or scouts would say he has a great arm. Or they will say he was born with a great arm.

The fact is that skinny pitchers who throw hard simply have learned how to use their bodies explosively and with good timing in order to build a delivery that looks smooth and effortless. That smoothness is because their timing of their body parts is exceptional. Their velocity is proof that they use their body to deliver their arm by efficiently passing off the developed elastic energy with efficiency.

Where does velocity come from? It comes from the pitcher moving explosively from his back leg to his front leg, which creates a long stride so maximum elastic energy is developed. Elastic energy is the key to more velocity not arm strength.

Plus you cannot gain any more elastic energy from weight training, long toss, or throwing weighted baseballs.

Elastic energy must be developed by using proper mechanics so it is mechanical energy. And no matter how hard a pitcher tries, he will not be able to get it by adding more strength to his body or his arm.

Gaining maximum elastic energy is like using the pitcher's body to become one huge rubber band as he lunges out to landing. This is how he can put as many muscles on stretch as quickly as possible. Once his front foot lands he cannot develop any more elastic energy or velocity. All he can do at that point is to hand off that elastic energy to the next part moving from the legs to the hips to the trunk and then finally to the arm which gets whipped though just like a slingshot.

So is he suggesting flexibility or what to increase arm speed?

[kylebee]

He is suggesting that you use refined mechanics and momentum to create an explosive delivery to increase arm speed. A big thing he hammers on continually is the idea of breaking your hands late.

Carlos Gomez has similar ideas on his blog, which you can find here (http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/mechanics/newsblog/). He advocates a short and "elbowy" arm action, explosive movement to the plate (as fast as possible from leg kick apex to foot strike, mainly), speeding up the body in general, and possessing the "intent to throw." I like a lot of what both Mills and Gomez have to say.

[Charger567]

So basically, kick off the back leg and get your front leg down as fast as possible?

[Mark H]

Check all this against video of the best pitchers as a truth detector. Also, spend 25 and get a copy of Jim Dixon's book. PM me for the contact info.

[kylebee]

Check all this against video of the best pitchers as a truth detector. Also, spend 25 and get a copy of Jim Dixon's book. PM me for the contact info.

This is also solid advice - look to see what the best do, and find what is in common with all of them.

Mills' examples are Nolan Ryan, Tim Lincecum, and Daisuke Matsuzaka.

[Mark H]

But do each of us see what HE sees when we look at video.

[kylebee]

But do each of us see what HE sees when we look at video.

I see what he sees in Tim Lincecum, for sure. Same with Roy Oswalt.

[Charger567]

But there are many more examples of people with slower deliveries and throw hard.. So does that mean if they had quicker deliveries they would throw harder too?

[Mark H]

I see what he sees in Tim Lincecum, for sure. Same with Roy Oswalt.

Well if you are saying we all think they are great pitchers, sure. If you are saying DM understands how to help a kid maximize his potential, that is not the impression I get. I would refer you to Ron Wolforth's materials and Rick Collins' website. I would also refer you to Nyman's materials in terms of quality but watch out for the bear in the cave.

[kylebee]

Well if you are saying we all think they are great pitchers, sure. If you are saying DM understands how to help a kid maximize his potential, that is not the impression I get. I would refer you to Ron Wolforth's materials and Rick Collins' website. I would also refer you to Nyman's materials in terms of quality but watch out for the bear in the cave.

I think that some of his principles are applicable and interesting at the very least. I do not "subscribe" to any theory as being fact and the absolute truth; I prefer to keep an open mind when it comes to pitching gurus.

[Mark H]

Good. Then maybe you will follow up on the leads I gave.

[Charger567]

Can someone answer me? If a quick delivery to the plate is the key, why don't all big power pitchers do this and throw at light speed?

[Mark H]

There is no THE key.

[XV84]

Can someone answer me? If a quick delivery to the plate is the key, why don't all big power pitchers do this and throw at light speed?

You can be quick all you want, but if the arm action isn't right or you're not loading the hips or using the correct muscles in the correct sequence, the velocity won't be there.

Tim Lincecum has an insane amount of hip and shoulder separation and scap load. He is an exception(al athlete), not a rule.

[robertsr]

How would anyone know "What Dick Mills is talking about"? I bought his very first book 10 or so years ago and learned that "Nothing happens until footstrike", and since I knew NOTHING about pitching at the time, I taught that to my pitchers. Now "Tricky Dick" is supposedly an expert on why Lincecum throw so hard?? I'll take a wild guess and say Tim's father did not study Dick Mills. I'd like to be able to file some sort of pitching malpractice suit for the junk that too many unsuspecting customers have taught because the ex-major leaguer said it was so, but now it isn't.

[Baseball gLove]

How would anyone know "What Dick Mills is talking about"? I bought his very first book 10 or so years ago and learned that "Nothing happens until footstrike", and since I knew NOTHING about pitching at the time, I taught that to my pitchers. Now "Tricky Dick" is supposedly an expert on why Lincecum throw so hard?? I'll take a wild guess and say Tim's father did not study Dick Mills. I'd like to be able to file some sort of pitching malpractice suit for the junk that too many unsuspecting customers have taught because the ex-major leaguer said it was so, but now it isn't.

Correction: cup of coffee ex-major leaguer

Amen to the rest of what you said.

[kylebee]

Good. Then maybe you will follow up on the leads I gave.

Oh, I am a member of Rick Collins' website and read all of his stuff, along with many others.

[kylebee]

There is no THE key.

This needs to be plastered everywhere.

[Mark H]

Oh, I am a member of Rick Collins' website and read all of his stuff, along with many others.

Excellent. Then you likely don't need anything I can tell you about pitching.

[stever]

How would anyone know "What Dick Mills is talking about"? I bought his very first book 10 or so years ago and learned that "Nothing happens until footstrike", and since I knew NOTHING about pitching at the time, I taught that to my pitchers. Now "Tricky Dick" is supposedly an expert on why Lincecum throw so hard?? I'll take a wild guess and say Tim's father did not study Dick Mills. I'd like to be able to file some sort of pitching malpractice suit for the junk that too many unsuspecting customers have taught because the ex-major leaguer said it was so, but now it isn't............amen brother............:clapping :nod: :crossfingers:

[Charger567]

Just answer me here then: Can speeding up my delivery and extending my stride make me throw harder? I tried it out, and it seemed like my speed picked up a few mph's even though I had thought I had perfect mechanics before.

[Mark H]

Maybe is all the answer anyone could truly give you and "seems like" doesn't mean squat. Your feel will lie to you. Without a gun or long toss results you don't really know.

[Charger567]

Maybe is all the answer anyone could truly give you and "seems like" doesn't mean squat. Your feel will lie to you. Without a gun or long toss results you don't really know.

How much does my best outing of the season count for?

[Mark H]

A good sign. Especially if it was a tough team. After all, in the end, the hitters will let you know how good you are.