Baseball Pitching: The Fix

The first of two special episodes for the baseball coach planning his fall ball program. In Part One, Angel and Joe discuss "old school" practices and traditions that should be updated -- or removed altogether -- based on learnings from scientific research.  For example, what kind of running should pitchers be doing? If your pitchers are still running "poles" or other forms of long-distance, then you'll want to hear this episode. Also, Angel explains why pitchers need to be on a different strength training program than position players, and how to lower the risk of injury for pitchers utilizing exotic velocity programs.

During the trending topics opening the show, Angel and Joe talk about recent injuries to Felix Hernandez (shoulder),  Michael Pineda (elbow / Tommy John surgery), Phil Hughes (thoracic outlet syndrome), Anthony DeSclafani (elbow, forearm, UCL strain), and Edinson Volquez (Tommy John surgery), and Angel goes into depth regarding the mechanical flaw that is commonly described as "inverted W" -- an example of which can be found here: 

http://fixingpitchers.com/pitching-mechanics/inverted-w-pitching-mechanical-flaw-looks-like/

To learn more about baseball pitching troubleshooter Angel Borrelli, visit her website: http://gymscience.com. 

Follow @fixingpitchers on Twitter and tweet your questions to us.

Search "Baseball Pitching: The Fix" in the iTunes store or in Google Play (for Android devices) to download the app. 

After pitchers return from injury, what can be done to prevent the same ailment from reoccurring? With Zack Wheeler, Clayton Kershaw, and Stephen Strasburg as examples, baseball pitching motion troubleshooter Angel Borrelli explains the process of finding the root cause of an injury and making adjustments to prevent re-injury -- and why it's not fair to put the full onus of that task on a pitching coach. Plus, Angel talks about a follow-through habit that is good for pre-teens but robs velocity as pitchers mature -- and an easy tip on how to get those MPH back.

Email Angel at [email protected]

https://GymScience.com 

How exactly does the pitcher's stride begin? Which leg is more important? How does that initial movement affect the rest of a pitcher's delivery? Baseball pitching motion troubleshooter Angel Borrelli explains the pitcher's downhill movement, dispelling myths and inaccuracies that have been shared around the internet.

Also, using Mets pitcher Zack Wheeler as an example, Angel talks about bicep soreness and biceps tendinitis, including the risks and possible injuries involved. You may be surprised to learn that a sore bicep is just as concerning as soreness in the forearm, elbow, or shoulder - listen for the reason.

Are you a coach struggling with the new pitch count and recovery restrictions? Then this is the episode for you. Angel and Joe go into detail on why the recovery rules are important, and how you can use them to your advantage.

Finally, in the "Getting It Done" segment, Angel shares a tip involving the thumb's role in a pitch grip, including how and why placement of the thumb on the baseball can affect ball movement on various pitches.

Email Angel at [email protected]

https://GymScience.com 

Matt Harvey's latest malady -- a stress injury to the scapula bone (shoulder blade) may seem rare and mysterious, but pitching motion troubleshooter Angel Borrelli connects the dots to explain how and why the injury occurred, and what Harvey can do to return to his ace form.

Additionally, Angel answers a listener's question regarding forearm pain and the ball being too close to the ear during the pitching motion. 

Email Angel at [email protected]

https://GymScience.com 

Ever wonder why some pitchers can't stay on the mound? It's not bad luck, bad genes, nor fragility. Listen to find out how to fix injury-prone pitchers, as well as how to correct the flaw of hooking the baseball. 

Also, Angel explains what it means to have neuritis in the elbow. And, in the "Getting It Done" segment, she answers a listener's question of how to correct the flaw of hooking -- with a detailed explanation of how and where to find the root cause. 

Be sure to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, or however you get your podcasts so you can receive the latest episodes immediately.

Or, download the app by searching for "Baseball Pitching: The Fix" in the app store. 

Email Angel at [email protected]

https://GymScience.com 

With high school and college seasons ending and summer or travel ball beginning, what should pitchers be doing in between seasons, if anything? Watch out for head/neck tilt and learn how it can rob a pitcher of velocity and possibly cause injury. Pitching injury trends are moving beyond shoulders and elbows and into other parts of the body, such as blood clots and thoracic issues - why? How Major League Baseball teams are managing injuries -- are they on the right track? How can they do a better job of preventing baseball pitching injuries? There is a key missing piece that needs to be included -- a qualitative piece that can connect the dots. MLB pitchers mentioned: Shelby Miller (Tommy John surgery), Aroldis Chapman (rotator cuff inflammation), Wei-Yin Chen (elbow, PRP), Phil Hughes (shoulder), Nate Karns (forearm), Jeurys Familia (arterial clot), Dillon Gee.

Email Angel at [email protected]

https://GymScience.com 

Are you a baseball pitcher looking for an edge through a velocity program or product? Then this is the episode for you.    Trending Topics   Wei-Yin Chen - dead arm, tired arm, or elbow injury? Angel explains why there may have been confusion about Chen's injury, as well as the warning signs to heed in pitchers with similar symptoms.   Cole Hamels' oblique injury. Angel talks about how and why a pitcher injures the oblique -- either side -- as well as the associated risks involved. She also explains how the obliques work in trunk rotation, acceleration, and deceleration.    Noah Syndergaard's lat injury, which leads into ...   Teaching Moment   How and why do pitchers injure their lat muscle? Angel goes into detail explaining what the lat muscle is, where it is located, what it is connected to, and its role in the pitching motion. Further, she explains how pitchers can strain and injure the lat -- as well as, how to prevent injury to it and what to do when it does get injured. 

Getting It Done (with Science)

There are dozens, if not hundreds, of programs, devices, gadgets, contraptions, and other products that are designed with the intention to improve baseball pitching velocity and performance. Which, if any, should you invest in, and why or why not? 

Email Angel at [email protected]

https://GymScience.com 

Dropping Aces - three big-time aces are on the DL, for different reasons.    Trending Topics - Madison Bumgarner's dirt bike accident left him with an injured AC joint. Angel explains what that means and why she's just as, if not more, concerned about his ribs   - Noah Syndergaard: we recorded this episode before "Thor" tore his lat muscle, so in this show we discuss his biceps tendinitis / "tired arm" issue, and how it is related to the elbow bone spur that he suffered last season   - Felix Hernandez's dead arm is mentioned, which leads the show to the ...   Teaching Moment   With the news of King Felix's "dead arm," Angel explains what, exactly, "dead arm" is, how it happens, what pitchers need to do when it happens, and further risks involved with that type of injury.   Getting It Done (with Science)   Angel answers a listener's question about bullpen sessions for starting pitchers. Specifically, when they should happen in between starts, how many pitches should be thrown, and how many days before a start they should occur.  

Email Angel at [email protected]

https://GymScience.com 

No pain, no gain? Baseball pitching motion troubleshooter Angel Borrelli explains the difference between routine soreness and the kind of pain that requires immediate attention. Speaking of pain and injury, both Clay Buchholz and James Kaprielian have gone down with the same issue: a torn flexor tendon; Angel provides the lowdown on that injury. Also, is it "throwing across the body," or "stepping across the body"? Looking at David Price's motion as an example, Angel tells us why she prefers the latter description, and how that style could lead to elbow problems. Finally, in the "Getting It Done (with Science)" segment, a listener's question is answered regarding post-game recovery, including whether a pitcher should ice down his arm after an outing and if running is a good idea the day after.

Email Angel at [email protected]

https://GymScience.com 

 

In the "opening day" episode, baseball pitching motion troubleshooter Angel Borrelli provides reasons for the glut of pitching injuries during spring training. Also, she and Joe Janish discuss Jordan Schafer's elbow injury, and the risks of converting position players to the mound.

Finally, during the sport science segment, Angel discusses the three key pitching-motion essentials involved in throwing a curveball, the research on the forces, and tips on the determining the age and teaching methods for youth pitchers.

Email Angel at [email protected]

https://GymScience.com