by Paul Reddick, www.paulreddickbaseball.com

One of the most common things I hear as a coach is “Coach, my [INSERT PITCH TYPE] is not working!” My answer is always the same “Don’t the blame the pitch!” 


A consistent pitch (any pitch) comes from a consistent angle (for whatever pitch your throwing) at release point.  That angle is created by your forearm, wrist, and hand.  Your arm snaps straight on every pitch you throw, it's going to be the angle of your forearm, wrist, and hand that will make the ball do whatever you want it to do, be that run, sink, split, curve, or slide even wiggle. 

Often we’re quick to blame the pitch when it’s not working like we want, but that's simply not the case.  A consistent release point can only come from consistent mechanics. Those mechanics need to be supported by strength.

Lack of strength

= lack of mechanics

= lack of consistent release point

= inconsistent pitches.

Mechanics can also be thrown off by tight muscles, injury, or just stiffness and soreness. One little thing can alter your mechanics a bit which in turn alters your release point which changes will affect your pitches.

As a coach, I have kids that come in all the time and say “I need to work on a pitch...or add a pitch”  And I will say “In order to work on a pitch, we have to back it up, we have to get to the root of the problem.”  In all likelihood, the problem is not the pitch.  I see many kids that come through with poor strength, poor mechanics and “My curveball hangs and my change-up is in the dirt”  ..and they want to work on the grip!!! Madness!


...the way you're throwing them is what stinks.   In order to change, you have to make changes to your mechanics. And in order to make significant changes to your mechanics, you're going to need the strength and flexibility to support those mechanics.

Any coach that is going to start working on pitches with you and not working on strength and mechanics is doing absolutely nothing. 

With this approach you might get to the point where maybe through some athletic ability you can throw a few good pitches and throw a few of them correctly every now and then, but you're never over the long haul going to able to throw pitches consistently without strong mechanics and a strong base of strength and flexibility. 

Paul Reddick
http://www.PaulReddickBaseball.com