Thanks for watching - it's been a wild ride over the last decade. We appreciate you all for joining us on this journey. Questions or comments? Let me know below.

Why is the back leg such a critical, yet often misunderstood, piece of pitching mechanics?

In this episode, Ben Brewster sits down with Tread coaches Lucas Still and Paul Hall to break down the foundations of efficient lower-half movement and how it impacts everything up the chain.

We cover:

🔹 Why the back leg sets the tone for velocity, command, and arm health

🔹 How to convert linear momentum into efficient rotation

🔹 What “back-hip tension” actually feels like and how to train it

🔹 Drills and cues to build better sequencing from the ground up

🔹 How hip structure and foot angle change your ideal loading pattern

🔹 Common misconceptions like “pushing off” and triple extension

If you’ve ever been told to “use your legs more” but didn’t know how, this episode will give you a clear framework for understanding and developing an efficient lower half.

Three former upper 90 mph arms break down the mistakes they've made when they were athletes trying to throw harder and what to do instead.

Timestamps:

0:00 The dangers of over-analyzing baseball throws with video

3:06 The importance of understanding one's body

8:33 The importance of video analysis for pitchers

13:17 Long Toss

18:40 The importance of training on a mound

26:08 Lower Body Mechanics

34:34 Implementing new theories

41:03 Planning offseason throwing phases

44:29 Importance of combining velocity and command training

52:20 Mass = Gas?

55:58 Weight Gain For Pitchers

1:03:52 Balance between strength and mobility

The episode was originally posted 5/1/2024.

Can you guess which MLB legend Josh Hader got his signature leg kick from?Learn about his leg kick, crossbody delivery, and how he prepares to close out MLB games in this conversation with Tread remote athlete and one of the best relievers of all time, Josh Hader.

Why do some changeups miss bats at the highest levels while others get hammered?

In this episode, Tyler Zombro sits down with Ryan Flippo and Leif Strom to break down what makes elite changeups work, from velocity separation to vertical attack angle.

We cover:🔹 Why vertical separation and VAA often matter more than raw movement🔹 Front-to-back velocity differential vs. angle manipulation for high-slot arms🔹 The kick change -- when it plays, when it doesn’t, and how to cue it🔹 Pronator vs. supinator grips and cues🔹 Splitter vs. changeup: trade-offs, finger dominance, and consistency concerns🔹 Common pitfalls like “pushy” catch-play changeups and slot deviations🔹 Practical starting points for remote athletes without advanced tech

If you’re chasing a reliable offspeed pitch, this episode will give you a framework to evaluate your changeup, simple grip adjustments to try, and actionable cues that carry into real games.

Are you throwing the wrong fastball or just throwing it too much? We break down everything that goes into building a fastball that actually plays. From dead zone profiles and approach angles to deception, command, and usage. This is a full look at what makes a fastball effective at every level.

What we covered:

✅ How to fix dead zone fastballs

✅ Vertical & horizontal approach angle explained

✅ Fastball command vs outlier shapes

✅ How fastball usage affects velocity, pitch design & recovery

✅ College vs pro usage trends

Why is command so tough to train and why do so many pitchers get it wrong?

In this episode, Ben Brewster speaks with Tread coaches Craig Stem and Turner Givens to unpack the mechanics, mindset, and drills that actually move the needle on command.

We cover:🔹 Why you can (and should) train velocity and command together🔹 Mechanical red flags: direction, early torso, late/low arm timing🔹 How anatomy and mobility can limit command potential🔹 The role of vision, focal points, and effort level in consistency🔹 Case studies of arms who tightened up their misses without losing velocity

If you’ve ever been told to “just throw strikes,” this episode shows you a practical framework to identify your biggest command leaks, and how to fix them.

Most pitchers lose velo during the season not because they stop training, but because they train the wrong way.In this episode of Around the Mound, Tread coaches Ethan Dyer, Matthew Jordan, and John Lantigua break down how to lift in season without wrecking your performance. They cover how to manage volume, why most pitchers overdo it, and what smart in-season training actually looks like for high school, college, and pro athletes.If you want to stay strong, feel fresh, and keep your velo through the season, this episode is for you.

Why is command such a difficult, often-overlooked part of pitching development?

In this episode, Ben Brewster chats with Tread Athletics performance coaches Craig Stem and Turner Givens to unpack the layers of command training, from biomechanics to the mental game.

We cover:

• Why command is harder to quantify (and train) than velocity

• The difference between command vs. control

• Key metrics (walk %s, in-zone %, competitive location %, race to 2 strikes)

• Case studies of pros, college, and high school arms who transformed shaky command into consistency

• Common mistakes when blending velocity work with command training

• The mental side: pre-pitch routines, focal points, and handling pressure

• Practical drills (bridge pitches, variability training, nine-pocket work)

If you’re struggling to throw consistent strikes, this episode will give you a framework to identify your biggest command issues and actionable strategies to fix them.

Insightful interview with Ian MacDonald, the dedicated college recruiting coordinator and pitcher coach at Indiana Wesleyan University. MacDonald shares his passion for the college game, relishing the opportunity to guide players through a transformative stage of their lives. Listen as he delves into the nuances of pitcher recruitment, revealing his key evaluation criteria: control, command, velocity, and the knack for limiting free bases. MacDonald also sheds light on the importance of player development, emphasizing the need for coaches who can provide candid feedback and facilitate player enhancement.

0:00 Current role as a recruiting coordinator.