Set Position

[Daryl H. Long]

Originally posted by thumpferee
Holding the glove above the chin/head allows for more velocity to be put on the throw with less movement.

I think I spelled velocity right, but I am not a spelling teacher!

[Edited by thumpferee on Apr 14th, 2005 at 05:19 PM]

Nor a physics or math teacher.

Velocity is made up of two components: speed and direction. It is the rate of motion in a given direction.

A pitchers fast ball may be said to move in rectilinear motion (a straight line). Breaking balls in curvilinear motion. For the fast ball speed and velocity could be the same but for breaking balls even if the speed remains constant, velocity changes.

The best pitchers are those who can throw the ball (put it into motion) with the gratest momentum. Momentum is mass times velocity. Since the ball is a fixed mass the only way to increase momentum is to increase velocity. The simplest way to increase velocity is to have a force act upon it for the longest possible time. Whether the pitcher holds the glove above/below his chin, it has no bearing on velocity since the glove is stationary. A force must be applied which in baseball is done only by FORWARD action of the pitcher's arm. The longer his hand is in contact with the ball the greater its velocity. That is why you hear coaches constantly yell for the pitcher to "follow through". More velocity, and more accuracy when the release is done at the proper place in space.