Baseball Pitching: The Fix

In the MLB segment, Joe brings up an MLB pitcher who is currently suffering from serious location problems. We discuss ways to troubleshoot this issue. In the Teaching Moment, I talk about three very common lower body issues that can affect the pitching motion in a way that can interfere with a pitcher finding his max velocity. And in The Pearls segment, I discuss a text I received from a coach talking about mound work vs. flat ground work for pitchers in-between starts. Contact Info: Angel@gymscience.com www.GymScience.com

Joe and I kick off our first episode of Season Six with three exciting segments: In our first segment, Joe and I talk about some of the rule changes in the MLB. In The Teaching Moment, I talk about "The Defining Moment in a Pitcher's Delivery". It's a discussion about the last sequence of trunk rotation in a pitcher's delivery, prior to acceleration. Using a great photo, I talk about how to see the critical features when you are reviewing film. Click Here for Teaching Moment Video And in our new last segment "Pearls", I once again visit the danger of trying to add speed or power to a part of the motion (particularly the stride) without an understanding of the purpose of all the phases and the implications. You will learn about the intent of each phase, where to apply the most power, and how to avoid "training" mistakes. Contact Info: Angel@gymscience.com www.GymScience.com

From increasing the distance of the mound to the plate to an epidemic of timing problems, Angel and Joe close out their fifth season with a great discussion of these two topics. The MLB is currently experimenting with moving the pitching mound back. Angel weighs in on the effect she thinks it will have on the pitchers...and you may be surprised to hear her take on it. And as a troubleshooter for the pitching motion, Angel has noticed an increasing epidemic of timing issues. She discusses why she thinks this is a prevalent issue and what coaches need to be aware of in terms of not only its effect on a pitcher's acceleration and location but also when making decisions about training methods for pitchers with this problem. Click Here for Teaching Moment Video Contact Info: Angel@gymscience.com www.GymScience.com

From how to work technically to using an innings format, Angel talks about the critical importance of making every bullpen count with tips on how to use it effectively and how to avoid some of the biggest mistakes she sees. And in a Troubleshooting segment, Angel answers a coach’s question about the rear leg. You will learn about its role, its importance, and some of the most common errors that can affect the pitcher’s delivery. Angel Borrelli Pitching on YouTube Contact Info: Angel@gymscience.com www.GymScience.com

Are you ruining your game performances with a pre-game warm-up that slows the players down? How do you handle a pitcher who is also a starting position player? Troubleshooting the delivery: the glove arm, the front foot, and picking-up the target. And much more…with all the content and questions being provide by coaches. Angel Borrelli Pitching on YouTube Contact Info: Angel@gymscience.com www.GymScience.com

In the “Coaching the Coaches” segment, Angel gives you the-how and the-why of these two actions which can either make or break a pitchers throwing and/or pitching motion. Included in the discussion are tips for ways you can work with your pitchers on the field during practice and flat-ground throwing to assess and correct these very important skills. In the “All It Takes is All You Got” segment, you will hear about and see a critical exercise for pitchers that deals with the rotation phase of the pitching motion; i.e., when the pitcher transitions from his sideways-stride downhill to his facing-the-target position. This is quite possibly one of the most misunderstood skills in the pitching motion and during the explanation of the exercise, you will also learn and be able to understand this invaluable component of the motion. It ties in with the first segment and promises to deliver great information. Visit Angel Borrelli Pitching You on Tube Channel to watch as you learn. Contact Info: Angel@gymscience.com ww

In the “Coaching the Coaches” segment, Angel talks about creative ways to make the first few weeks of flat ground throwing valuable and how to create objectives that will produce solid results. In the “All it Takes is All You Got” segment, Angel shares one of her skill-specific exercises to teach pitchers how to properly flex at the hip to create the best forward trunk tilt…the skill that is necessary to get over the front leg when delivering the ball. She filmed Joe DeMers during one of his training sessions and you can see the three-phase movements being done on YouTube at Angel Borrelli Pitching Contact Info: Angel@gymscience.com www.GymScience.com

In a very special “Coaching the Coaches" segment, Joe and I continue with the discussion from the last episode about the re-entry throwing programs that we use to transition pitchers from the off-season to the pre-season.  The necessity of returning to “precision” specific methods for the pitcher is discussed and I offer food-for-thought for re-structuring how you handle your throwing programs. In the very popular “All it Takes is All you Got” segment, the next priority-training muscle group is discussed.  Coupling it with the last episodes’ objectives for the pitcher’s body, there should be no question as to why the biceps and elbow flexors are the topic for this episode.  Your next three exercises are discussed with accompanying visuals on my YouTube Channel Angel Borrelli Pitching .  A complete and thorough explanation of the elbow flexors and their role in pitching is also discussed. Contact Info: Angel@gymscience.com www.GymScience.com

Angel and Joe kick off the fall/ winter episodes with their Engineering the Pitcher series. In this episode’s first segment, “Who’s Your Daddy”, Angel answers the most frequently asked questions from fathers. She talks about creating a calendar for reentry from off-season, how to plan showcases, whether or not a pitcher should have an off-season, etc. In the second segment, “All it Takes is All You Got”, Angel talks strength training for pitchers and suggests Priority Training the rear shoulder for the next three weeks. The videos of the exercises are available on the Angel Borrelli Pitching You Tube Channel Contact Info: Angel@gymscience.com www.GymScience.com

In the Lessons from the MLB, Joe and Angel discuss the use of stats during the game to determine when to pull a pitcher. Angel shares an innovative idea for MLB teams to consider that could help them take additional care of their pitchers. In the Teaching Moment, front-leg knee mechanics is discussed. Using a photo presentation that you can see on her YouTube Channel, she discusses how the common habit of pulling and extending the front knee backward, away from the target, costs velocity as well as knee health. You won’t believe what you will see in the still-shots with regard to the release point. A picture truly is worth a thousand words. And in the 9th inning, Angel gives coaches another tool to help them protect their pitchers’ valuable arms. You will get specific information as to the connection between where a pitcher says he his hurting and where in his mechanics you should look for the possible cause. This is a don’t-miss segment for all coaches. https://www.hbo.com/real-sports-with-bryant-gumbel Cont

In the Lessons from the MLB, Angel and Joe discuss the newest statistics on the high number of TJ surgeries. Angel weighs in on her thoughts about not only the reason, but what needs to happen so make a dent in this issue. You won’t want to miss her common sense approach to a solution. In the Teaching Moment, Angel instructs on a common flaw she often sees that not only robs the pitcher of velocity but is one of the easiest adjustments to make. Please visit Angel Borrelli Pitching on YouTube to see what you're hearing. With the aid of the photos on her You Tube Channel, Angel Borrelli Pitching, coaches and pitchers will have an easy understanding of how to make sure they are not leaving miles-per-hour on the mound. And in the 9th Inning, Angel discusses her philosophy that many injuries and surgeries can be prevented with early intervention and not turning a blind-eye to what your body is saying to you. She provides a checklist for specific and general indicators that a problem might be brewing in your pitchi

In the Lesson from the MLB segment, Angel and Joe discuss when not “to take a lesson” from the MLB with Angel giving you a checklist to think about before you decide to try something a little left of center. In the Teaching Moment, with live drills, Angel teaches you how to teach your pitchers the angle of an efficient arm at stride foot contact. Please visit Angel Borrelli Pitching on YouTube to see what you're hearing. And in the 9th Inning, back by popular demand, is a discussion of high school pitch-count rules and Angel’s serious concern because of the disparity among states and the lack of proper recovery by most states for high pitch-count appearances. Contact Info: Angel@gymscience.com www.GymScience.com

Big news! Angel has launched a YouTube channel for further in-depth pitching education. This episode is the first that implements the channel as a supplement to the podcast -- so you can see what Angel is explaining. Lessons from MLB MLB is doing things with the intent to protect pitchers, such as following specific pitch counts, setting maximum innings limits for the season, using the "piggyback system," starting the game with an "opener," and other methods. Additionally, MLB is analyzing and implementing statistics that are changing pitchers' roles and altering the fabric of the game. Are these efforts working, or are they not seeing the forest for the trees? Teaching Moment With images used for illustration, Angel explains where the arm needs to be at front foot contact and how to diagnose a late arm. And, she explains the dangers and risk factors of a late arm. Please visit Angel Borrelli Pitching on YouTube to see what you're hearing. 9th Inning Angel discusses the constraints that high school and other

In the Lessons from the MLB segment, Angel and Joe explain why a clean MRI is not necessarily good news, but rather a reason to continue investigation into the problem that brought you to the doctor’s in the first place. In the Teaching Moment, Angel talks about the frequency with which the glove arm causes problems to the delivery.  She discusses the seven most common flaws and educates on how to troubleshoot. And in the Ninth Inning, Angel talks about the effects of fatigue on the medial elbow and discusses the meaning of some interesting recent research.

Can a pitcher succeed both as a starter and a reliever? In the "Lessons from the MLB" segment, Joe and Angel discuss the differences between starters and closers, as well as the important details that a coach should remember when deciding to use a pitcher in both roles. In "The Teaching Moment," Angel provides a seven-exercise complete workout for the forearms, wrists and fingers that strengthen the muscles needed to keep the pitcher's elbow safe and help prevent UCL injuries. And, she calls on all pitchers to make the month of August the month when they get serious about getting the forearms big and strong to offset the high risk they have for injury to the elbow. Finally, in "The Ninth Inning," Angel explains why using radar guns in bullpens may not be a good idea.  Link to Angel's book on strengthening the elbow: http://bit.ly/elbowbook Angel's website: http://gymscience.com

Should you push-off the rubber? While discussing Aroldis Chapman’s knee injury during the "Lessons from MLB" segment, Joe and Angel visit the debate of how you get from the back leg to the front leg.   In "The Teaching Moment," Angel talks about the dangers of the long-held belief that pitching with pain is normal -- as is commonly reported by many current and former MLB pitchers.  She explains how, over the past 30 years, science has developed answers that provide the opportunity to pitch pain-free while also improving performance.  Want to know how to get started as a "21st century, pain-free pitcher"? Angel offers five tips.   Finally, in "The Ninth Inning," Joe and Angel explain why you shouldn't post video of your son on Facebook for group feedback.

In the Lessons from the MLB segment, Joe and Angel talk about Noah Syndergaard’s sprained index finger: what does it mean and tips on determining the cause.   In the Teaching Moment, Angel gives three possible causes of why a pitcher is having a problem with getting over his front leg and releasing the ball as close to the plate as possible.   And in the Ninth Inning, Angel talks about the dangers of using MLB pitchers’ style to determine what should or shouldn’t be done. She teaches about the importance of seeing each pitcher’s specialness. Coaches, pitchers, and Dads…you don’t want to miss this segment. Please subscribe to Baseball Pitching: The Fix through iTunes or however you get your podcasts. To learn more about Angel you can visit her website: http://gymscience.com Have a question or topic for an upcoming show, or would like to hire Angel to improve pitching mechanics and performance? Email her at angel@gymscience.com You can follow us on Twitter at @fixingpitchers

In this episode of Baseball Pitching: The Fix, there are three segments.   First, in "Lessons from MLB," we examine New York Yankees pitcher Luis Severino's ability to self-correct his mechanics during the game. Baseball pitching motion expert Angel Borrelli talks about the beauty of this skill and how to acquire it…without letting it interfere with your pitching.   Then, in "The Teaching Moment,"Angel talks about a way that every pitcher can increase his velocity right now -- by using every inch of his height. Angel explains the importance of releasing the ball as close to the plate as possible -- you may be surprised to learn it has little to do with extending the stride. Since many pitchers do not use their height properly,  Angel teaches coaches how to identify the flaw AND correct it with a great drill to teach "feel."   Finally, in "The Ninth Inning," Angel gives you one more tip on troubleshooting the Change-up.  She "closes" the show by responding to a "curveball” that host Joe Janish threw her in the

In The Teaching Moment, Joe Janish and baseball pitching motion expert Angel Borrelli talk about the change-up, including the grips, the muscles involved, and how to use that information to troubleshoot issue with its effectiveness.  Additionally, using some examples of common methods used to practice the change-up, Angel talks about how to avoid mistakes when creating a drill or practice session.   Additionally, Angel answers a listener's question about the exact description  of "stride foot contact" and how it relates to where the arm should be at that moment in the motion.   In The Ninth Inning,  Angel "closes" the episode with a very common flaw in a pitcher's rotation phase that can rob him of velocity.   Please subscribe to the show so you can receive new episodes as soon as they are published. Have a question or a topic for an upcoming episode? Email angel@gymscience.com

In this episode, Joe Janish and baseball pitching motion expert Angel Borrelli speak with Bellarmine University Head Baseball Coach Larry Owens about five things that pitchers can do to improve their performance. One by one, Larry details five pillars of pitching performance that many coaches and pitchers already are familiar with. After Larry explains the importance of each -- i.e., "the why," Angel describes ways that pitchers can approach and practice them -- i.e., "the how." Angel "closes" the episode in the "Ninth Inning" segment, asking and answering the question "should a pitcher go as fast as he can down the hill during his stride?" You can learn more about Angel at her website, http://gymscience.com You can email questions and comments to angel@gymscience.com Please be sure to subscribe to the show!