How to Make Your Pitches Faster

In baseball, to increase the velocity of a pitch, you must first be able to execute the proper pitching mechanics. Knowing the mechanics alone will not increase the pitching velocity. Two ways to increase the velocity are to increase your arm speed and strengthen your body's core. Adhering to a regular routine with specific drills and strengthening exercises can potentially add a few more miles per hour to your pitch.

Things You'll Need

  • Weighted baseballs
  • Medicine ball
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Instructions

  1. Weighted Balls Drill

    • 1

      Set up an every-other-day routine of throwing weighted baseballs. A regular baseball weighs between 5 and 5.25 ounces. For pitchers who are between 10 and 12 years of age, use a red, 7.5-ounce ball. The green, weighted ball weighs 9 ounces and should be used by pitchers who are 13 to 14 years old. If you are 15 to 16 years old, use a blue, 10-ounce ball. Use a yellow, 11-ounce ball if you are 17 years old. Anyone age 18 and above should use a black, 12-ounce ball.

    • 2

      Stand 40 to 50 feet away from your target. Start by throwing 15 weighted balls. Throw the first ball at an easy-to-medium pace. Throw the second ball at a hard, fast pace. Keep your back leg back during the throw. Throw 13 more times, alternating the pace.

    • 3

      Throw a total of 10 regular balls, alternating the pace between an easy-to-medium pace and a hard, fast pace. Continue to keep your back leg back.

    • 4

      Repeat Step 3 using weighted balls.

    • 5

      End the drill by throwing 10 regular balls. Continue to alternate the speed, but instead of leaving your back leg back, bring it around.

    Body Core Strengthening

    • 6

      Stand facing a wall and at an arm's length away. Hold the medicine ball with both hands. Start with your arms straight out in front of your body. Rotate your hips 90 degrees to the right, and as you return to your starting position, throw the ball as hard as you can against the wall. Catch the ball as it rebounds off the wall. Next, rotate to the left, throw the ball and catch it. Repeat this 10 times, take a short break and do a second set.

    • 7

      Stand facing a wall and at an arm's length away. Hold the medicine ball with both hands, and extend your arms over your head. Keep your feet shoulder-width apart and flat. Throw the ball as hard as you can against the wall and catch it as it rebounds. Repeat this 10 times, take a break and do another 10. A variation to this would be to toss the ball to a partner or throw the ball in a kneeling position.

    • 8

      Face a wall and hold the medicine ball in both hands close to your chest. From this starting position, throw the ball against the wall by thrusting your arms straight out in front of your body. With arms still extended, catch the ball as it rebounds. Bring the ball back to your chest. Repeat this 10 times, take a short break and do another set.