It is not uncommon to hear pitching coaches say that they work with pitchers on their mechanics. But they rarely if ever spell out what the mechanics are. In general, they use the term mechanics in place of technique. It can refer to certain actions of the total technique or to the entire throwing motion.
Mechanics should refer to throwing technique since the limbs and muscles act as lever and pulley systems which can be evaluated in a very scientific and precise manner. However, instead of determining the exact actions or movements that are in need of improvement, we instead usually hear general terms such as they are working on full extension of the arm. When this occurs or why it is even needed, is not mentioned.
It is very important to know exactly when full extension should occur — if it does. For example, with most pitchers full extension usually occurs in the follow through. But yet the follow through is determined by what happens in the actual throwing motion. This phase of the throw, however, is not touched upon by most coaches.
Pitchers who rely mainly on medial shoulder joint rotation in the release rarely if ever, achieve full extension at this time or in the follow-through. Working for full extension would be a detriment to these pitchers. Other pitchers who throw sidearm or have an outside release point usually achieve full extension prior to and during the release and hold it through the follow through. Is it these pitchers they refer to and if so, in which phase of the throw?
In some cases, pitching coaches talk about working on the delivery aspect or working on the follow through or the stride, etc. however I have never seen any specific examples of exactly what was in need of correction and how it was corrected. It is easy to say you’re working on the delivery but you must know exactly what aspects need the work before this can be stated. Perhaps this is why we never see anything beyond the general overall statement.
In fact, it is hard to find in any baseball magazine or book exactly what is involved in the pitching motion. As a result, we hear many different opinions of what may take place and opinions of what should be corrected and how it should be corrected. There is little to no substantiation to backup the statements.
In this age of technology, every action can and should be analyzed especially in very important and complex skills such as pitching, especially when pitchers are having difficulty. But it never happens. Why are baseball teams still in the dark ages when it comes to helping improve their players ? The technology and knowledge is here and the means for analyzation are available. When will baseball teams begin to incorporate them?
For information related to baseball pitching mechanics and training, see Build a Better Athlete