Timmy Pitching

This clip shows Timmy pitching.
Timmy has basic mechanics problems, especially with how he gets to the power position. His pitching hand isn't sweeping properly and is loaded before he can take a proper stride. As a result, Timmy isn't getting the separation that he needs to develop full power, and he is not fully utilizing the strength of his legs and upper body.



We worked on keeping his hands up in the set, and sweeping the hands (down and back for the throwing hand). We concentrated on his stride length (too short), the sweeping motion, and getting to the power position with max seperation. Timmy has good hand speed and puts some pressure behind the ball. Combine this with his size, and he may be able to develop into an effective reliever with improved mechanics (I say this because I don't think Timmy has worked much on holding runners and fielding the position). This second clip shows how his mechanics improved.


Here's a video of Nick, who is not properly using his upper body through his final delivery. notice how he stays too upright after releasing the ball.

Pitching Practice

Change-Up Videos

Here's a good basic video on throwing a change-up.

However, this change up video by Paul Reddick is very instructional on off-speed pitches, and is especially enlightening on the angle of the arm and amount of pronation for each pitch. This is an excellent video. It's worth looking at all of his videos.

My 2nd Practice

Well, yesterday I had my 2nd baseball practice. It went really well. When I got there I started pitching. I threw a few fastballs, but it was my change up that I improved on. I got it to look like a fastball, but it went a lot slower and it dropped just before going over home plate. After pitching I went to do some tee-work with my dad. I found that if I was to hit the ball well that I was going to have to bend my knees more that I thought I'd have to. I made lots of improvements on my hitting doing that. My Dad's going to try to get some videos so they should be up soon.

Young Prospects

Here's a great old picture of Thomas and Ethan when they were 5 and 3 (Christmas 2001 I think). Yeah, I know, Yankees fans. But, we're Nationals fans too!

Winter Workouts at Extra Innings

My team and I started training at Extra Innings Indoor Training Center last Thursday. It was a lot of fun, except that I had an ear infection so that wasn't so great. At least i finally got back into playing baseball because I haven't been playing since the fall. I got a new bat for Christmas so it was nice to give that a try. I had fun trying to get back into a rhythm of playing baseball. I pitched a little too and didn't do so bad, so that's nice. I'll write after every practice to tell you how it went. That's pretty much all for now so stay tuned!

PS My Dad kinda did my first blog so Ty dad:)

Introduction to Thomas' Baseball Blog!

Dear Friends and Family,

This is Thomas, and I'm going to be writing about my baseball adventures in 2009! I've been selected for a 12 and under travel baseball team along with a few of my friends at Central Middle School here in Edgewater, Maryland. We're going to be doing some exciting and challenging things this year, and you can read all about it on my blog! Cool, eh?

What cool things are we going to do, you ask? Well, for starters we're going to be playing in the Chesapeake Baseball Association against some of the best teams in the county. We'll also be playing in a few tournaments. Our biggest tournament will be in the birthplace of baseball, Cooperstown, NY! Each week during the summer, 96 teams gather from all over the country to play ball (there's a different tournament each week). We will be playing at Cooperstown Dreams Park, which is about the coolest place for a 12-year old baseball player on the planet.

Half the battle is just getting there, and I hope you will stay posted to my blog, and help me reach my goal!

Love,

Thomas