Sometimes when i pitch, it seems like im not throwing nearly as hard as i can...like im getting nothing behind the ball. It felt like this at a perfect game showcase when i got clocked at only 77. In other games, I throw 79-81 constitently. How can I make my velocity more consitently hard?

May have been more a factor of who was doing the clocking and with what gun or it may have been overthrowing because you knew a gun was on you. A stalker gun will typically read 1 or 2 mph slower than a Jugs gun. Besides everybody's velocity varies a bit from game to game and day to day. The only thing I'd suggest is a consistent warm-up routine.

yea i was being clocked with a stalker gun

Practice on throwing more game intensity pitches during your bullpens. Focus on having better mechanics and good tempo and continue to do that and you should see a gain. If you want more velocity then don't waste it doing things like running 5 miles a day. You should work out specific things like abs, doing sprints, some arm care (if you have a weak link there, like if your right arm is stronger than your left, it can cause more of a chance of injury), but the main thing is to throw off the mound with game intensity.

If you can only throw 77-81 MPH then there is probably a mechanical problem (probably nothing big) and possibly your timing is off just a smidge

XFactor,
mnblizzard is only a sophmore. 77+ is not bad. I believe, but am not sure that PG reports max velocities not working velocities so that has to be taken into account.

Yeah I figured out what i was doing wrong. One of the Minnesota Gopher players told me i was getting my body out in front too fast causing my arm too drag and causing me to have no control. He told me to stay back more and find a balance point and when I did, my velocity went up a lot, my curveball started breaking a lot more, and my control was way better.

The above is exactly what my kid experienced. Staying 'back' longer is absolutely crucial to max velocity AND control. Good work MNB!

Velocity of most HS pitchers varies quite a bit from day to day. I've seen kids who can top out around 85, throw 77s max in games even when they are trying for heat. This isn't a form problem. Probably has to do with unknown muscle chemistry factors. Of course, rest plays a big role.

HS pitchers should understand that velocity variation is normal.

quote:

Originally posted by micdsguy:
Velocity of most HS pitchers varies quite a bit from day to day. I've seen kids who can top out around 85, throw 77s max in games even when they are trying for heat. This isn't a form problem. Probably has to do with unknown muscle chemistry factors. Of course, rest plays a big role.

HS pitchers should understand that velocity variation is normal.

Yeah but you have to understand that although velocity variation does happen, it's because that for whatever reason, your mechanics and timing are off that day.
And when some pitchers (especially HS) try to add more "umph" on the ball, it tends to be a little more wild.. and actually a little slower. Why? Either because they are tensing up (which the muscles can't fire as efficiently) or because they are rushing.

Now what does it mean to rush? What does it mean to "stay back" Anyone know?