Lower Half Pitching Mechanics: The Load – Simplified (Part 2 of 4)

Use your legs. Use your lower half. Sounds great but, “what the heck does it mean”? Coaches often cue this as if it’s one single thing. In reality, a proper use of the lower half has 4 different but connected and sequential components. In Part 2 of this 4 part series on lower half pitching mechanics, we’ll take a closer look and break down what I refer to as the Load phase.

- Part 1 – Drift
- Part 2 – Load
- Part 3 – Drive / Rotate
- Part 4 – Block Continue reading “Lower Half Pitching Mechanics: The Load — Simplified (Part 2 of 4)”

March 14, 2023May 8, 2023

Lower Half Pitching Mechanics: The Drift – Simplified (Part 1 of 4)

lower half pitching

Use your legs. Use your lower half. Sounds great but, “what the heck does it mean”? Coaches often cue this as if it’s one single thing. In reality, a proper use of the lower half has 4 different but connected and sequential components. In this 4 part series on lower half pitching mechanics, we’ll take a closer look and break down what I consider to be the 4 big plyers we need on the road to an efficient lower half:

- Part 1 – Drift
- Part 2 – Load
- Part 3 – Drive / Rotate
- Part 4 – Block

Let’s kick off Part 1 of this series with component #1 – Drift. Continue reading “Lower Half Pitching Mechanics: The Drift — Simplified (Part 1 of 4)”

March 10, 2023March 10, 2023

Podcast #41: Key Insights into Developing D1 Pitchers with Florida Gators’ David Kopp

My guest today is David Kopp, pitching coach with powerhouse University of Florida Gators, who play in the SEC and are a consistent top 10, if not top 5 national program. Join us as we discuss:

- Ways to shrink the learning curve
- When and how to make adjustments
- How to work with different learners and athlete frustrations
- Components of baseline testing on Day 1
- Much More…

Continue reading “Podcast #41: Key Insights into Developing D1 Pitchers with Florida Gators’ David Kopp”

March 7, 2023April 5, 2023

Remote Athlete Highlight: A Deep Dive into Pitt Commit Antonio Doganiero

Lefty pitcher Antonio Doganiero (Class 2024), came to us for remote training through the Baseball U Anthracite travel program in Pennsylvania, this past October after a recent commitment to the University of Pittsburgh baseball program. He was looking to improve his overall performance on the mound. When Antonio started his remote program (6′ – 167 lbs.) he was sitting 83-84 mph. This past weekend, Antonio was sitting 86-88, and he touched 89.3 mph. There is obviously much more to come here. But, how did we do this on a remote basis in 4-5 months?

Continue reading “Remote Athlete Highlight: A Deep Dive into Pitt Commit Antonio Doganiero”

March 3, 2023March 4, 2023

Podcast #40: Scouting Young Talent for Pro Ball with the Padres Mike Kanen

My interview today is with Mike Kanen, Regional Crosschecker with the San Diego Padres. I have interviewed many college coaches during the past year and I am very interested to hear how college and pro ball perspectives can differ on the recruiting and scouting front. Join us as we dig into a variety of topics, including:

- Scouting HS players vs. college players
- Going to college vs. pro ball
- Specific traits when scouting a young athlete
- How scouting has changed over the past 5-10 years

Continue reading “Podcast #40: Scouting Young Talent for Pro Ball with the Padres Mike Kanen”

March 1, 2023March 1, 2023

RPP Baseball and The Coastal Plain League Announce Partnership

RPP Baseball (RPP) and the Coastal Plain League (CPL) are excited to announce a first-of-its-kind partnership that will see RPP offer remote training services to participating athletes in the CPL.

Continue reading “RPP Baseball and The Coastal Plain League Announce Partnership”

February 28, 2023May 11, 2023

How to Throw a Slider or Sweeper (Grips, Cues, etc.)

How to throw a slider

Welcome back to the “How to” series on pitching, where we will be diving into various pitches and speak about different grips, cues, tips, movement profiles, and even top MLB comparisons for reference when looking at a given pitch. Next up… How to Throw a Slider. Continue reading “How to Throw a Slider or Sweeper (Grips, Cues, etc.)”

February 24, 2023February 24, 2023

Podcast #39: The 5 Tool Connection with Performance Coach Brandon Golden

My guest today is Brandon Golden, former collegiate and MLB Performance Coach, currently with 5 Tool Connection a performance science company. I met Brandon recently at the Wake Forest Bridge seminar and walked away very impressed with his unique approach. We will be discussing much of what he takes his athletes through in preparation for a long season of baseball. Topics include: Continue reading “Podcast #39: The 5 Tool Connection with Performance Coach Brandon Golden”

February 17, 2023February 17, 2023

Podcast #38: Individualizing Programming for Pitchers with Graeme Lehman

Todays podcast is a must listen for coaches, players and parents alike. Graeme is a strength and conditioning coach as well as a pitching coach consultant and all-around smart guy. He has developed a method for assessing pitchers in order to better individualize training through the use of what he calls a “pitcher’s profile”.

Continue reading “Podcast #38: Individualizing Programming for Pitchers with Graeme Lehman”

February 14, 2023May 11, 2023

How to Throw a Curveball (Grips, Cues, Types)

how to throw a curveball

Welcome to the “How to” series on pitching, where we will be diving into various pitches and speak about different grips, cues, tips, movement profiles, and even a top MLB comparisons for reference when looking at a given pitch. First up, how to throw a curveball. Continue reading “How to Throw a Curveball (Grips, Cues, Types)”