Baseball Pitching

Authors

Affiliations

Nate Yomogida, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Chloë Kerstein, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

The key to efficient pitching mechanics is to connect the global kinetic chain as it spirals from the ground up toward the hand in a form of kinetic linking^{dischiaviRethinkingDynamicKnee2019?}

Tension increases as energy moves up the kinetic chain. However, when there is a loss of system tension (eg, with a lax anterior shoulder capsule or poor scapular stability), adequate transfer of force to the ball is lost (loss of stored energy), and the velocity of the ball is decreased^{dischiaviRethinkingDynamicKnee2019?}

Pitching Biomechanics

To read

• The Clinician’s Guide to Baseball Pitching Biomechanics¹

• Wind Up: Initial Movement to Maximum Knee Lift
• Early Cocking: Maximum Knee Lift to Lead Foot Contact
• Late Cocking: Lead Foot Contact to Maximal Shoulder ER
• Acceleration: Maximal Shoulder ER to Ball Release
• Deceleration: Ball Release to Maximum Shoulder IR
• Follow Through: Maximum Shoulder IR to Body Stops Moving

References

1.

Diffendaffer AZ, Bagwell MS, Fleisig GS, et al. The Clinician’s Guide to Baseball Pitching Biomechanics. Sports Health. 2023;15(2):274-281. doi:10.1177/19417381221078537