Home » Mets 2013 Games » Mets Game 147: Loss To Marlins
1
September 15, 2013 Mets 2013 Games Joe Janish

Mets Game 147: Loss To Marlins

Marlins 3 Mets 0

So much for solving their nemesis.

Mets Game Notes

Tough luck for Carlos Torres, who pitched rather well — especially considering he’s a fill-in. But, when your team doesn’t score, well, it’s impossible to win.

They didn’t just not score, they didn’t get on base. Four hits, one walk. That’s it.

For a brief moment early in the game, Gary and Keith took a look at Torres’ windup in slow motion, noting that he steps sideways to start his delivery (which although Keith said it was “unusual,” it really isn’t — it’s just that Torres is more deliberate about the action than others). I wish I knew why many pitchers start their windup sideways — keeping their feet parallel to the rubber and stepping toward first base (if righthanded) prior to leg lift, as Carlos Torres does. I want to know if it’s something that was taught at some point, or if the pitcher decided to do that on his own, and in either case, the thought behind it. Because it’s illogical to get momentum started sideways when you’re delivering the ball to home plate, and does nothing to increase velocity, nor does it do anything to help take the strain of pitching off one’s arm. If there is a pitcher out there who does that, please let me know why in the comments, and/or if you are a pitching coach who teaches such a technique, I’m very curious to hear the reasoning behind it — maybe I’m missing something.

That’s all I have.

Joe Janish began MetsToday in 2005 to provide the unique perspective of a high-level player and coach -- he earned NCAA D-1 All-American honors as a catcher and coached several players who went on to play pro ball. As a result his posts often include mechanical evaluations, scout-like analysis, and opinions that go beyond the numbers. Follow Joe's baseball tips on Twitter at @onbaseball and at the On Baseball Google Plus page.
Related Articles
  1. argonbunnies September 16, 2013 at 1:56 am
    I assumed it was a visual thing, so the pitcher’s head is in the same place (a) when he’s looking in and receiving the signs and visualizing what to thrown, and (b) when his front foot has landed and the ball is about to come out of his hand. I’ve never pitched, but I do like honing in on a single perspective for other athletic tasks.

    That said, that’s no explanation for Huston Street’s crazy “slide all the way down the rubber” delivery. Maybe those guys just like moving their legs around before they push off them, the same way hitters wiggle their hands before a swing?