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4 Adjustments for the Next-Generation of Catchers

By Evan Klugerman (BA, Director of Hitting at RPP) and Nunzio Signore (BA, CPT, NASM, PES, FMS)

As we discussed in a prior article titled “4 Ways the RoboUmps Will Affect the Catcher Position“, with the introduction of all the new tech, Major League Baseball is in a constant state of fluidity. Although such changes may not directly impact younger ball players immediately, it’s only a matter of time before they trickle down, and the catching position is no exception.  Below are 4 major topics and adjustments that the next generation of catchers will need to prepare for, in this new world of tech-driven baseball. Continue reading “4 Adjustments for the Next-Generation of Catchers”

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3 Key Factors in the Pitcher’s Kinematic Sequence

By Courtney Semkewyc (RPP Bio-mechanist Intern, PhD Candidate Biomedical Engineering at Rutgers University)

In assessing a motion capture session one of the most important things to examine is the kinematic sequence. This consists of the angular velocities and corresponding timing of the pelvis, torso, shoulder, and hand. These angular velocities can reach speeds upwards of 5000 º/s, and as such cannot be measured through standard 2-D video analysis thus requiring a 3-D motion capture system. This simple graph below off our Qualisys Motion Capture system is key to determining how efficiently an athlete is transferring energy from the ground up, through their body, and into the ball.

Continue reading “3 Key Factors in the Pitcher’s Kinematic Sequence”

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How’s the Band? 2 Reasons Why Band Work Can Get Ugly!

By Nunzio Signore (BA, CSCS, CPT, NASM, FMS)

Let’s face it, everyone loves to throw hard, but we have to make sure we’re going about it the best and safest way possible. Learning the correct way to take care of your arm, shoulder and body as a pitcher should be a top priority, not only during the season but year-round as well. Continue reading “How’s the Band? 2 Reasons Why Band Work Can Get Ugly!”

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Swing Design… 3 Drills to Pattern an Efficient Swing

By Evan Klugerman (BA, Director of Hitting at RPP)

There are many ways to skin a cat, however, often one is the most efficient. Although each player’s swing looks different, great hitters achieve the same goal by putting their body in the best position to hit. Given the complex nature of hitting and its many co-dependent variables, an efficient move will make it easier to recreate a consistent motor pattern. Consistency is the name of the game as it separates a high school player from a college player, and college players from a professional. Continue reading “Swing Design… 3 Drills to Pattern an Efficient Swing”

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Why “Clustering” Is Important for Pitchers

By Mike Lembo (BS Exercise Science, Pitching Coordinator at RPP)

The Rapsodo Pitching camera provides an incredible amount of information by pitch type.  Just as relevant, however, is how each individual pitch behaves versus the others.  In evaluating our pitcher’s ball movement charts, we generally work with them to develop what we refer to as “clusters”. They form when a pitcher can consistently repeat the spin axis and direction by pitch type. Continue reading “Why “Clustering” Is Important for Pitchers”

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K-Motion, a Game Changer for Assessing and Training Baseball Players

By Nunzio Signore (BA, CSCS, CPT, NASM, FMS)

K-Motion assessment

The world of hitting is changing and it’s changing fast. As new technology is working its way into the world of baseball at break-neck speed, the information becoming available is opening the eyes of both baseball coaches and strength coaches alike and across multiple avenues as well. But once again as in pitching, this extremely explosive sport, leads us back to anatomy and the body’s ability to move through space quickly. So explosive in fact, that we are looking at microsecond movements only measurable by motion capture technology. Continue reading “K-Motion, a Game Changer for Assessing and Training Baseball Players”

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4 Ways the RoboUmps Will Affect the Catcher Position

By Evan Klugerman (BA, Director of Hitting at RPP)

This past year, technology came to the strike zone, as MLB began to experiment with an automated strike zone with the “RoboUmp” in the Atlantic League. Although this process is still a work in progress, I begin to wonder how this may change the game from the vantage point of a catcher. Continue reading “4 Ways the RoboUmps Will Affect the Catcher Position”

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Bringing Mocap into the Trenches… Sometimes It’s What You CAN’T See

By Nunzio Signore (BA, CPT, NASM, PES, FMS)

Most people who have observed our movement assessment and 4-camera video analysis believe it’s about as good as you can get. Now, with the addition of our Qualisys motion capture system it’s even better.  The results speak for themselves. Continue reading “Bringing Mocap into the Trenches… Sometimes It’s What You CAN’T See”

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Pitch Design with Seton Hall’s O’Neill… How to Turn Good into Great

By Michael Lembo (BS, Pitching Coordinator at RPP)

Pitch development is a big part of the overall training culture here at RPP. Once athletes have developed a good base of body awareness in the weight room as well as throwing volume it’s time to steer the focus on getting guys out. In other words, getting pitches to move while throwing strikes.

Seton Hall’s Brennan O’Neill came to us this July, during the summer unlike anything any of us have ever experienced before.  However, even with a shortened period of time we managed to get a lot done. Continue reading “Pitch Design with Seton Hall’s O’Neill… How to Turn Good into Great”