Baseball Pitching: The Fix

In this episode, Joe Janish and baseball pitching motion expert Angel Borrelli speak with Joe DeMers, ace starter for University of Washington and author of the 27th perfect game in NCAA Division 1 history. DeMers has been Angel's client for the past eleven years, keeping him injury free through his entire career and ensuring that his strength training and mechanics stay in check. DeMers shares the training and mental preparation necessary to stay healthy and remain an elite pitcher at college baseball's highest level.    Topics include:   What age to start a weight training program Maintaining a weight training program in season and out Being open to, constantly reviewing, and making, mechanical adjustments Importance of recovery Mental discipline Preparation Handling success from a young age Advice for pitchers making the adjustment from high school to college For more about Baseball Pitching: The Fix, visit http://fixingpitchers.com or email joe@fixingpitchers.com.

The final episode of Season 4 features Larry Owens, head baseball coach of Bellarmine University and a former pro baseball scout and minor league pitching coach.  Angel and Joe tap Larry's vast and varied experience as a player, coach, and scout to learn what amateur pitchers need to do to attract the attention of MLB scouts and college coaches. Additionally, Larry shares some of the secrets of successful pitching programs at both the college and pro levels.  

In "lucky" episode 13 of The Fix, baseball pitching motion troubleshooter Angel Borrelli discusses how pitch angles are created, while explaining the connection of the chest, arm, and location. With that, you may think differently about long toss -- and you'll learn why it shouldn't be described as "strengthening the arm."    Speaking of, what should a pitcher do if his coach wants him to throw at distances he's never thrown before? What should coaches consider before implementing a "one size fits all" long toss program?    Additionally, Angel answers listener questions about using bands to warm up, and how to teach pitching mechanics to a nine-year-old.   Links:   http://gymscience.com   http://fixingpitchers.com   https://twitter.com/fixingpitchers    

In part three of the Fall Ball Reboot, baseball pitching motion troubleshooter Angel Borrelli and Joe Janish answer listeners' burning questions that arose as a result of parts one and two. The episode begins with Angel answering a question posed by several fathers -- what to do if their sons are being forced to do long-distance running?  Next, Angel addresses a coach's question about whether the pitcher should be moving forward as his knee is being raised. Angel explains the purpose of the knee lift and how it relates to the front leg action at acceleration. Once you hear the science behind it, you'll learn how and why it's possible that Aroldis Chapman could add even MORE velocity to his fastball. Finally, Joe throws Angel a curveball by asking a question of his own. References: Angel's website: http://gymscience.com Joe's website: http://fixingpitchers.com  

In part two of the Fall Ball Reboot, baseball pitching motion troubleshooter Angel Borrelli puts the pitcher back into the pitch by explaining what coaches should find out about each of their pitchers, and why it's important to develop programs customized for each individual. 

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" --

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 angel@gymscience.com 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 aff

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 angel@gymscience.com 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 angel@gymscience.com 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 angel@gymscience.com 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)

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

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 angel@gymscience.com 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 angel@gymscience.com https://GymScience.com 

Baseball pitching motion troubleshooter Angel Borrelli discusses what pitchers should be doing in the offseason. Trending topics: the mechanical flaws that should be corrected during the offseason by Noah Synergaard, Alberto Osuna, and Jeff Samardzija. Teaching Moment: when pitchers should start throwing if they participate in a fall season, and what pitchers should be doing in the gym during the offseason. Location Segment: putting it all together -- an efficient motion will result in good deception, location, and peak velocity. Email Angel at angel@gymscience.com https://GymScience.com 

Baseball pitching motion troubleshooter Angel Borrelli explains how products claiming to enhance pitching performance can do more harm than good, plus, how to troubleshoot command issues for 5 different pitches. Email Angel at angel@gymscience.com https://GymScience.com 

Baseball pitching motion troubleshooter Angel Borrelli explains the injuries sustained by Stephen Strasburg and offers seven tips to help pitchers and coaches have a successful fall baseball season. Email Angel at angel@gymscience.com https://GymScience.com 

In this episode of "The Fix," Joe Janish and Angel Borrelli discuss Stephen Strasburg's  elbow soreness and limited range of motion, and why those symptoms could suggest another UCL tear and Tommy John surgery in Strasburg's future. Angel also connects Steven Matz's shoulder strain with his elbow bone spur, and suggests what Nathan Eovaldi could have done to avoid his second Tommy John surgery. In the "Teaching Moment," Angel offers the 7 most important muscle groups a pitcher should focus on in strength training. Finally, in the "Location" segment, Angel has an easy tip to improve a pitcher's command. Email Angel at angel@gymscience.com https://GymScience.com 

Pitching motion troubleshooter Angel Borrelli makes recommendations on what pitchers should be thinking about as they plan for the offseason. Email Angel at angel@gymscience.com https://GymScience.com