Transition to side-arm pitcher. Help!

[Syd89]

Hi there guys! First time poster...
I recently found that when I stripped down my mechanics and simplified the throwing to my catcher in spring training this year my natural arm slot had changed, and I was able to throw more strikes with it than before.

So my question is; what precautions do I need to take (in order to be successful AND avoid injury) when making the transition from a 1 o’clock delivery to a sidearm / 3 o’clock. My elbow’s a little more tender now, but other than that I feel fine after 50 or so pitches with it.

I’m in a AA league in the U.K. and there aren’t really many people to ask about it over here!

Thanks!

Andy

[omg]

You shouldn't have more arm trouble throwing sidearm than over hand. Best thing to do is get video of mlb sidearmers, usually submariners, and compare it to a video of yourself. Supposedly, sidearm pitching is more about bending the torso more to the side so that your arm slot remains similar to overhand but the bending of the waist creates the different angle. There is more to it than that but first analyze the mlb sidearmers.

[shake-n-bake]

Hi there guys! First time poster...
I recently found that when I stripped down my mechanics and simplified the throwing to my catcher in spring training this year my natural arm slot had changed, and I was able to throw more strikes with it than before.

So my question is; what precautions do I need to take (in order to be successful AND avoid injury) when making the transition from a 1 o’clock delivery to a sidearm / 3 o’clock. My elbow’s a little more tender now, but other than that I feel fine after 50 or so pitches with it.

I’m in a AA league in the U.K. and there aren’t really many people to ask about it over here!

Thanks!

Andy

There's an evolution that happened in your lower body mechanics as well as the angle of your arm that you feel comfortable with.

We've spent months now looking at sidearm and submarine pitchers' lower body mechanics trying to perfect crossing over and sort of overloading to the arm side during the stride, then torquing and exploding the other direction through release and follow through. That's what makes low arm angle work. The timing consistent with the pitcher's tempo and mechanics of getting that back leg around and with what intensity seems to me to be a key in getting the arm to sort of go along for the ride. Seems logical that would be a positive in fatigue and injury prevention.

My son throws more 3/4, but his lower body mechanics way more resemble sidearm and submarine pitchers. It's a dynamite way to pitch. There's a lot more pitchers than you realize crossing over in their stride until you start paying attention to it. Jered Weaver, Madison Baumgarner, and Charlie Furbush (probably most akin to having sidearm lower body mechanics of anyone with this style) are some examples.

[Cannonball]

Andy, I did the same at an early age. I really didn't find that I had much trouble but do want to mention to finish your throws. Some people who make this change end up throwing across their body and do not finish which, in turn, puts a lot of pressure on the arm. Have fun with this but know that the way to grip the seams is not going to be the same as overhead throwing. I loved experimenting with gripping the ball. I found that I could make the ball run in ways that I couldn't throwing overhead. Also, know that you won't have as much up and down action and so, that can be dangerous if hitters adjust. The way that I dealt with that is I took the inside of the plate by throwing breaking pitches at hitter's thighs. I had a lot of fun with that but when I missed, the ball went kind of far.

[Syd89]

Thanks for the tips guys, that's just what I'm looking for. shake-n-bake you're right about the change in my lower body; I've been using my legs more in the mechanics, and learning to stay closed before popping open. I think that's what's dictated the change in arm slot. After looking up some guys on youtube I've concluded that my new delivery is mostly like Pedro Martinez!

And Cannonball, I am indeed having lots of fun with it but seem to have lost my sinker now unless I find a new grip!

I'm experiencing more tenderness in my elbow and the front of my shoulder than I normally would though... is this natural considering I am exercising new areas of my arm, or should I be wary of something wrong in the mechanics?

Cheers fellas

[shake-n-bake]

Thanks for the tips guys, that's just what I'm looking for. shake-n-bake you're right about the change in my lower body; I've been using my legs more in the mechanics, and learning to stay closed before popping open. I think that's what's dictated the change in arm slot. After looking up some guys on youtube I've concluded that my new delivery is mostly like Pedro Martinez!

And Cannonball, I am indeed having lots of fun with it but seem to have lost my sinker now unless I find a new grip!

I'm experiencing more tenderness in my elbow and the front of my shoulder than I normally would though... is this natural considering I am exercising new areas of my arm, or should I be wary of something wrong in the mechanics?

Cheers fellas

This is just a thought and maybe something to try just for the heck of it, but have you given any thought to keeping the same or similar lower body mechanics and coming up to a little bit with your arm angle?

My son is very comfortable pitching sidearm. He doesn't have the same velocity and he too wasn't able to throw pitches with downward movement. So, he played around with crossing over and pitching around his stride leg like a sidearm or submariner, but throwing from roughly 3/4. He's kept the ability to sweep the plate and the crazy movement on his 2 seam and slider that low arm angle guys have, but also can sink fastballs and throw a little bit harder too. He's sold on it. When he looked for other pitchers to emulate he found that there's quite a few that do this to some degree.