How To Pitch From The Stretch In Baseball
How To Pitch From The Stretch In Baseball. When you have a runner on base the pitcher must abandon his usual windup motion for the stretch. Here are some steps to take for developing excellent pitching mechanics in baseball.
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Step 1:
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The Stretch
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While sizing up your target grip the ball, keep it hidden in your glove so as not to tip off the opponents. The only difference between the windup and the stretch is that you don't take the small rocker step to the side or back. Other than that your mechanics should be identical to those of you pitching from the windup.
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Step 2:
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The Delivery
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With your eyes focused on your target lift your knee, rotate your hips, and keep your other knee slightly bent to maintain balance and power. As you lower your stride leg begin to take the ball out of the glove. Your pitching arm should continue swing upward while your glove hand is now pulling your front shoulder towards home plate. Your throwing elbow should be above your shoulder while you are rotating your hips. Your pitching arm extends out and down, causing your hand to do the same. Your front leg should be slightly bent as, with your foot slightly closed to home plate.
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Step 3:
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The Follow Through
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As you release the ball your front leg should stiffen so that your leg and upper body are now at a 90 degree angle. Your back leg should swing around next to your stride leg putting you in a fielding position.
