pitching and hitting

Question
Hey Jack,

 I'm about 5'9" and weigh about 130 pounds so I'm a decent sized kid. I fastest i can throw is 60 mph. But i have a lot of moving pitches that work very well. I wanted to know how to increase my speed of my fast ball so my moving pitches work even better. I also can hit the ball far but i cant hit a homerun and never have i have hit the top of the fence and it bounced back in but i can never get it over. I wanted to know how to get it over. Thanks
  
   RJ


Answer
Hi RJ,

Here are some tips for pitching and hitting:

Pitching Tips:

Based on your age, I definitely think that your fastball's speed can be improved.  I would continue to focus on several areas to keep this improvement going:

1.  Keep doing a weight training program.  Choose one that is made for baseball pitchers as it will put extra emphasis on the muscles need to throw harder.

2.  If you are not already, start throwing long toss and begin a running regimen.  These things will help with your longevity and the log toss will also help strengthen your arm's strength and allow you to throw farther.

3.  Get baseball lessons from a top instructor in the area you are most interested in and get them ASAP.  The sooner you can get good training in your career the better off you will be.  The inital cost may seem pricey, but it will save you plenty of time by avoiding bad habits and knowing you are doing it the right way.  If the money is still too much, check out video tapes and baseball instruction books from the library.  Also, videotape yourself and send the tape into baseball forums to have others review it.

4.  Start strengthening your arm by using weighted baseballs.  These balls use plyometric techniques which will develop the fast twitch muscles in your arm resulting in a stronger and faster arm.

5.  Practice your motions.  This means practice your pitching motion.  Practice your mechanics everyday.  It is not necessary to actually throw the ball; however, you want your pitching mechanics to become second nature.  This will help with your control and balance.  Although it won抰 directly help your fastball, it is part of becoming a well rounded pitcher.

In the end, how much more velocity will get will depend on how much attention you give to steps 1 through 5 and your genetics.  Since you have no control over your genetics, I recommend you just keep practicing and applying these tips and you should be in real good shape by the time your senior season rolls around.

Hitting Tips:

1.  Start swinging the bat everyday.  Swing it both ways at least 100 times a day.  It is not necessary to hit the ball; however, you want to also make your swing as natural as possible.  Also, do not be afraid to occasionally swing heavier bats as well to get used to a heavier bat, this will make you stronger.

2.  As mentioned in the pitching portion, start using a solid weight training program to give you full strength.  For hitting a great deal of the hitting comes from your arms.  Make sure you are really developing your triceps and forearms.

3.  Consider getting hitting lessons as well.  A good hitting coach can see if you have a hitch in your swing or have other bad habits.

4.  Finally, don抰 be concerned about hitting home runs.  Your goal is to hit line drives.  If you focus more on hitting the ball solid, the home runs will come in time.

This should be enough to get you started.

Good luck on the upcoming season.  

Best,
Jack Elliott
http://www.baseballtrainingtechniques.com