What are the biomechanics behind the optimal baseball pitching technique? And what are the technical and biomechanical differences in comparison to a poorer technique?

In order to achieve optimal technique in the action of the baseball pitch, it is vital to incorporate a seamless summation of forces across the wide range of skill cues evident throughout. These cues are shown below in figure 1.

Figure 1 (Fleisig, G et al 2006)

Throughout this blog the skill cues themselves will be broken down in the order in which they are performed, with the biomechanical principles applied and explained through each sequence. However before the skill cues, it is also important to discuss the skill of the grip in which a pitcher holds the ball.

The Grip

The grip in which a pitcher holds the ball is dependent upon the certain type of delivery they are aiming to achieve. Different grips will result in different trajectories of the projectile (ball) itself.

Blazevich (2012, pp. 24) explains trajectory as “Trajectory is influenced by the projection speed, the projection angle and the relative height of projection (that is, the vertical distance between the landing and release points; for example, in a baseball throw that lands on the ground, the vertical distance is the height above the ground from which the ball was released)”.

Blazevich (2012, pp. 24) also states “Gravity and air resistance affect such objects, although in many cases air resistance is considered to be so small that it can be disregarded”. However baseball is a unique sport in which the ball can be manipulated by grip and air resistance to further alter its trajectory. Rough surfaces and or stitching seams cause air to become turbulent which in turn can alter the flight path and flight time of a ball after being thrown. This is well known in the sport of baseball and utilised by pitches in the aim to trick batsmen and keep them guessing about which trajectory the ball is going to take.

Below in figure 2 we see an example from the ‘knuckleball’, which shows how air pressure and the different surfaces of the ball itself react in the air.

Figure 2 (Cleveland, 2016)

Pro vs. Average Joe

The grip of a baseball pitch changes depending on the type of pitch intended. For the purpose of this comparison we will focus on the ‘curve ball’. The grip of the pitch is one of the most important aspects of achieving the optimal outcome. The optimal technique of the curve ball requires the pitcher to place the pointer and middle fingers together on top of the ball with the thumb resting underneath (see figure 3).  The differences between optimal technique and an average technique often begin with differences in grip causing a snow ball effect into the rest of the pitch. A common issue in a average pitchers technique is that they will often have noticeable changes in their pitching cues. This in turn can tip off a batter when the pitch is a changeup from a standard pitch e.g. a fastball to a slider (Fleisig, G et al 2006).

Figure 3 (Beaumont enterprise, 2016)

The Magnus Effect

The many different skills, grips and pitches utilised in baseball can all be directly correlated to the Magnus Effect. Blazevich (2012) describes The Magnus effect “as the changing of trajectory of an object towards the direction of spin”. In baseball a pitcher will manipulate their grip (as described above) in order to spin the ball in different directions and take advantage of the Magnus effect. If an object such as a baseball is thrown through the air one side of the ball will encounter higher air pressure than the other and start to swerve or swing. Blazevich, (2012) explains “The most common explanation is that a spinning ball ‘grabs’ the air that flows past it because of the friction between the air and the ball, so these air particles start to spin with the ball”.

This effect can further be explained through both figure 4 & 5 below and also the video link (Sports Science: Magnus effect) which focus' on the 'cutter' pitch.

Sports Science: Magnus effect (Cutter)

Figure 4 (Press Reader 2016)

Figure 5 (The Bulls Pen 2016)

The Knee up

The phases throughout the baseball pitch all play vital roles in increasing force and momentum so that the pitch will have a higher rate of velocity in its delivery. The baseball pitch is an obvious example of a throw like movement pattern in which the joints of the kinetic chain extend successively, one after another (Blazevich, 2012). However, often in throw like movement patterns and especially throughout the baseball pitch people will underestimate the lower body and its role throughout the kinetic chain and producing high velocity in ones throw. In fact, it is argued that the energy of a baseball pitch comes from the lower body and its contact with the ground, as the ground reaction forces is what the pitcher uses to put force into the ball (Pourciau, ‘Increase Pitching Velocity’, 2015). This relates to newton’s third law, which states, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Thus, by utilising a high knew lift in the initial stage of the baseball pitch it allows a greater summation of forces throughout the kinetic chain as the higher the knee is raised the more muscles are activated and utilised throughout the whole action. (See figures 6 & 7)

(Top Velocity Net 2015)


Furthermore, during this first skill cue of the baseball pitch we see a shift in the Centre of mass. Initially in the starting point of the pitchers stance we see a regular Centre of gravity, as the pitchers weight is even distributed throughout their body in a vertical manor. Yet, as the pitcher raises their knee to begin force production the “the pitcher keeps his center of gravity back (over stance leg) for as long as possible to allow maximum generation and transfer of momentum and force to the upper extremity and ball”(Seroyer et al., 2010).

Pro vs. Average Joe

There are common differences in all components of pitching between the elite pitchers and the amateur pitchers, these differences are what cause the different outcomes for each pitcher in terms of speed, velocity and accuracy.

Differences in the ‘knee up’ phase between an average pitcher and an elite pitcher include the height of the knee and the balance of the pitcher whilst on one leg. The video link (Zach Grienke Pitching Mechanics) below provides an example of an elite pitcher and the correct technique whilst in the knee up phase of pitching. Figure 8 (right) (Nihgov 2016)

Zach Grienke Pitching Mechanics

The height of the knee allows the pitcher to gain a larger amount of velocity on the pitch as they are using a greater summation of forces and a larger range of motion. The lower limbs of the pitching sequence are considered extremely integral in force generation as larger sequences of muscles are used within the kinetic chain. It is suggested in an optimal technique that an increase in the movements of the pivot leg, joint torques during hip abduction, hip internal rotation, hip flexion, and knee extension will have a significant positive effect on the outcome of the pitch (Kageyama, M, et al. 2015). In an incorrect technique the basic movement components are often similar but are not to the extent and exaggeration of the elite pitchers.

This is evident in the video (above) (Zach Grienke Pitching Mechanics) as you can see the high knee allows the pitcher to get a large step out on the mound, which increases the velocity of the pitch. In comparison if a pitcher has an average/ incorrect technique they will not lift the leg, which may cause injury but in short term it will cause inconsistencies in the pitching control and speed.

Once the knee is up, high and tucked closely to the chest a common technique issue is that the pitcher will lean forward or back which causes an issue in balance, which can again cause inconsistencies within the pitch outcomes.  The elite pitcher will move their hips forward as the first movement and average pitchers will not, this causes early momentum and a larger kinetic chain for the elite pitcher. The early momentum allows a pitcher to generate a larger summation of force and generate more power in the pitch.

The Stride
After the knee lift the next skill cue is for the pitcher to take that knee and begin their stride out towards the target. During this sequence the pitcher will pivot their trunk position and begin to turn their body to apply the force generated into the direction of the batter. It is during this phase that we will see the moment of force/torque of the pitcher created, as their high knee lift will allow a greater stride distance, which will then create greater rotation and torque due to the increased distance in the stride (Blazevich, 2012).

This sequence ones again relates to centre of mass as moving ones centre of mass and utilising a longer stride creates increased velocity. McKenzie (2015) states, “to generate arm and ball velocity, your initial goal should be to move your center of mass as far and as explosively away from it’s starting point as you can so you can generate a long stride”. See below in figure 10

Figure 10 (Pitchmechanics101 2016)

Furthermore, by utilising the high knee lift followed by a long stride out, this will generate greater foot ground contact and greater angular momentum. By maximizing angular momentum during these first two initial phases a pitcher should be able to increase their speed of delivery (Balzevich, 2012).

Pro vs. Average Joe

An elite pitcher moving the hips forward and promotes a faster stride whereas within an average technique the pitcher will open up their hips early reducing momentum and power through the stride and into the pitch. This is common in younger/ inexperienced athletes as they have not often generated the balance or technical cues for a larger delivery stride.

  Figure 11 (Pitching Now 2015)

Arm Cocking Back/Forward

The next skill cue in the kinetic chain of pitching is to draw back the throwing arm and rotate the shoulder as far back as possible to allow for maximum acceleration. This skill cue relates to newton’s third law in that cocking the arm back with more speed and at a greater angle will allow for an equal and opposite reaction in the following sequence, meaning an equal amount of speed and force being applied to the arm during the throw moving forwards. Maximum shoulder rotation allows for greater torque due to opening a larger range of motion and greater angular momentum. Furthermore, this sequence of the skill is where the throw like movement pattern and kinetic chain is at its most obvious and arguably most important. During this stage of movement the shoulder extends, followed by the elbow and wrist, the shoulder then begins to extend while the elbow is still flexing during the ‘cocking phase’. Later in the chain of movement the extension velocity of the hand and fingers both increase which results in a higher ball release velocity (Blazevich, 2012).

Figure 12 (Blazevich, 2012)

Pro vs. Average Joe

The wrist/ arm-cocking phase of the baseball pitch is used to generate torque and is the beginning of the release of the pitch. Elite players will cock as their stride foot is making contact with the ground, which creates a slinging action to propel the pitch from the hand at a greater speed. The leg stiffens at the knee to become a support station for the elite pitcher to rotate their trunk and allow the slinging motion to occur. In comparison an average pitcher who will not have a large stride and this causes the pitch power to be generated with more arm speed rather than the kinetic chain and catapult motion of the elite pitching technique.

Figure 13 (Smarter Baseball 2016)

Within the arm deceleration and follow through an elite pitcher will allow all of the momentum and kinetic energy to be placed into and through the ball before decelerating the arm. In comparison to a pitcher with a poor technique they may begin to decelerate the pitching arm before the ball is completely released this is often a trade- off with accuracy. The poor technical pitcher may need to compromise either speed or accuracy during their pitch but with correct technique the speed and accuracy can complement each other allowing for the best pitch outcome consistently.

The Answer Concluded

The optimal technique of a baseball pitch includes the many skill cues and biomechanics explained above. This sequence includes a larger range of motion, greater torque, angular momentum, and a stronger kinetic chain throughout, with a heavy focus on the lower body and their center of mass providing much of the power and velocity. The weaker pitching techniques tend to have a more skewed balance of power generation, where often the power and velocity of ones pitch is largely generated purely from arm cocking and speed, rather than a strong kinetic chain and seamless summation of forces. The stronger kinetic chain allows the pitcher to not have a 'trade off' between accuracy and speed on their pitches. The compromisation must be made by players with a poor technique as they cannot generate the force required without becoming inaccurate in their pitches.

The comparison between a Professional/elite pitcher and an Average Joe suggests that the poorer technique within a baseball pitch is not always necessarily wrong, however the certain differences within the various skill cues will not allow for an 'optimal technique', which provides greater power, spin and velocity. The most elite baseball pitchers extend the technical cues much more predominantly than a poorer technical player. Examples of this include the stride and the knee lift, these two components are still found in poor techniques but they are not performed to the technical extent that an elite athlete will perform. The poorer technical player as previously mentioned needs to make sacrifices on their pitches in terms of speed and accuracy which is not evident within an elite technical player.

How else can this information be used?

An increase in throwing speed is a benefit and an important component of a large number of sports. In baseball it is the main component of the sport in terms of pitching and base throwing (throw like movement pattern). Consider sports where throwing is evident but not the main aspect of the game such as fielding in cricket. Fielders throwing the ball back in from the boundary or in a run out chance utilise all of the concepts in the kinetic chain. The transferability of the kinetic chain concept does not only comply with throwing sports but field athletics sports such as javelin and discuss which largely follow the concept through the summation of forces and force generation from the lower body.

The catapulting motion of the stiffened knee can be related to other sporting actions such as cricket bowling and javelin through their release points and similar goals for force generation. As similar to baseball the knee is locked to create a sling of the release are utilising a rotation of the trunk and newtons 3rd law of equal and opposite reaction which pushes the force through the locked leg and up throwing the arm forward with greater force.

The principal of the Magnus effect can be considered an extremely integral part of a number of sports utilising a projectile. Examples of the sports in which the Magnus effect can be evident are golf and cricket. Cricket bowlers understand the Magnus effect to generate swing on their bowling which is used to manipulate the trajectory of the ball and attempt to deceive the batsman. The Magnus effect is hard to read for a cricketer as the ball is not already in shape for the effect to take place. The fielding side attempt to shine one side of the ball throughout the course of an innings this causes a difference in the smoothness of the surface of the ball on each side of the seam in turn allowing for the Magnus effect to occur. In golf, which is considerably different, to cricket as hitting equipment is used and the athlete does not have direct control of the ball. The golf ball is also not able to be manipulated by the golfing athlete unlike in cricket where the athlete must attempt to manipulate the ball shape and this in turn allows for a more instant understanding of how much the Magnus effect will effect the balls flight path for the golfer.

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