ZenoLink Founder and Biomechanical Expert, Chris Welch, Offers Expert Commentary in this Three Part Series on the Use of 3-D Motion Analysis to Improve Baseball Player’s Performance
Entering the World Series, the Rangers relied heavily on their offense and ace, Cliff Lee, to carry them to victory. While their pitching flop in game one was rare, this kind of inconsistency proves to be costly for the whole team. ZenoLink founder and biomechanical expert, Chris Welch, has discovered through his research exactly how a team’s strongest player can become their weakest link.
The key to a successful pro pitcher is the ability to maintain their velocity consistently and to have control of every pitch. Welch’s research shows that arm speed and the ability to accelerate the pitch at maximum velocity is predominantly a function of the pitchers ability to internally rotate the shoulder, while simultaneously extending the elbow. “When this is done effectively, internal shoulder rotation speeds can reach upwards of 8000 degrees/second at ball release,” says Welch. “The ability to create this high speed and maintain control consistently is directly related to lower body mechanics and core stability. Explosive leg power, stride length and direction are all crucial to initiate the speed development of the arm.”
Chris Welch is the founder of ZenoLink and the leading expert on sports injury prevention and increased performance for athletes as it relates to one simple solution: coordination through understanding biomechanics.
Stay tuned for Part 3: The Efficient Base Runner.
