One of the most frustrating aspects of being a pitching instructor is the number of pitchers who come to me for instruction, and they already have a sore and injured pitching arm that is the result of either poor overall pitching mechanics, overuse, improper delivery or introduced too early specific pitches such as the ‘curve ball’.

I teach mechanics that have to this point helped previously injured pitchers reclaim their pitching careers, or pitchers who have worked with from an early age and so far in over a decade of instruction avoided a single arm injury with these pitchers I’ve worked with year after year.

In this case we often have to start with basic fundamentals on analyzing their delivery, determine if they are ‘on top’ of the ball, or are ‘pushing the ball’. Then we start with some rehab with tubing and specific execises.

Proper mechanics include:

Balance (control), efficient conversion of energy (speed) into the ball, and sound mechanics, (maintaining a healthy arm), is the goal.  My approach mirrors that of Major League pitching coach Tom House.  How sound is this theory?  When Nolan Ryan was traded to the Rangers he was already well into a “Hall of Fame” career, having pitched 5 no-hitters.  At the time Nolan used the pitching mechanics known as “Drop and Drive”.  Once explained, and learned, Nolan switched to the Tom House, “Tall and Fall” approach. Nolan pitched two more no-hitters, maintained a great winning percentage, and lost nothing on his legendary fastball. Tom House is currently the pitching coach at USC and was the real life pitching coach and also played himself in the movie, ‘Million Dollar Arm.’

Erik Craemer, a Hopkins High School pitcher (Stout college) is a player I had worked with every year since he was 10 or 11 through the summer Legion season after graduating. In the following December, Erik was involved with a group of college prospects. Erik caught the eye of Glen Perkins, current closer of the Minnesota Twins and the Gopher’s head coach John Anderson. In Erik’s recount of the moment, “Both watched as I threw Bill’s special split-change-up to the catcher. It darted in and out and looked unhittable. Both were impressed with the pitch. Glen even took out his phone to video-taped me throwing it from the side and front. Both commented on how they loved to watch me throw it and both were eager to see how I was gripping the ball, which Mr. Perkins also video recorded.” (See testimonials)

Kevin Tapani, (Minnesota Twins 1991 World Series Game #2 pitcher), who at the time was the Head Coach for a 15 year old travel team for the Plymouth/Wayzata area, observed Will Gharrity, one of the teams pitchers, throwing from a mound during a practice, (the spring after Will had worked an entire indoor season with me.) Coach Tapani asked will to hold up, called his own son Ryan Tapani, and told him to take a knee and watch Will, “These are the pitching mechanics I’ve been trying to teach, and wanting you to use.” (See testimonials)