The Evolution of Pitching in Baseball

Jake Jordan
Wiki Entry
The Evolution Of Pitching In Baseball

Baseball is a game of evolution, and its greatest victim to this evolution is pitching. Starting with
Knickerbocker Baseball Club in 1845, baseball and pitching specifically have taken leaps toward
being a much more competitive and monetary driven game. Pitching has changed in many ways.
Not only have mechanics and overall performance improved, buy different types of pitches,
rules, and mechanics have been on an uphill climb. Pitches such as the curveball and changeup
have been implemented into the game, as well as a fast ball. The fastball has evolved into a two-
in-one pitch. The rules of the game have been all over the place through time, but have led to the
highly competitive, well rounded game that is played today. Along with this evolution, baseball
has brought with it an entire new culture, including a system where professional players dedicate
their entire lives to the game, and we're facing a career ending injury isn't uncommon. Although,
this full-time dedication has not only been positive. Many players have started to play the game
at a young age, which has led to more injuries such as Tommy John. But still, the evolution of
pitchers is what has allowed this game to progress and be what it is today.
Introduction
Baseball had a series of various events in its history that have taken it to where it is today. It has
had mechanical changes and serious variations of pitch styles that were being implemented.
Athletes have gotten drastically bigger and continue to increase. It has created much better
athletes and has continued to keep the competition level on the rise.
How Pitching Has Changed
Mechanics
In the beginning, pitchers were more efficient than ever. Pitchers
held good balance and they had a correct tilt with their release
point. Doug Thorburn states that, “These pitchers are encouraged to
emphasize stability in the delivery up until foot strike”1 Many of
them had 3⁄4 arm slots or thrown from the side position. These
pitchers relied heavily on hip-shoulder separation to generate
torque and stopped their foot at the bottom of their motion. After
this period of pitching, pitchers began to move to more violent and
aggressive forms of throwing. Instead on a short leg lift and a hip-
shoulder separation, they advanced to using a high leg kick to try to
generate more velocity. Modern day pitching has, “In some ways,
come full circle.”2 This means that pitching now uses a
combination of all the different types of mechanics, but the
emphasis of balance and tilt have been implemented more than
ever. Pitchers are being asked to use much less effort when
throwing, while producing velocity at higher speeds. This is taught
by having pitchers focus on their stability and balance until planting
their foot, then using hip torque to create and arm angle that will
throw with the most amount of power. One of the key components of mechanics that is to not be
afraid to trust and to not be afraid of injury. “A pitcher must learn to repeat the delivery in spite
of these glaring obstacles. If the pitcher happens to get hurt, he should just remember that
throwing a baseball is an unnatural act ``.3 This allows for pitchers to understand that what they
are doing is unnatural so using the best mechanics possible will lead to success.
Pitcher Dominance
Dominant pitching has always been a focal point in the game of baseball. The game has
continued to implement rules that benefit the pitcher position. Although pitching has not always
been as dominant as it is now. “Before these pitching innovations came about, the baseball
games of the 1860s typically featured 35 or more combined runs per game, with scores of 60–
100 runs not unusual.”4 The game has progressed to considering “good baseball”, baseball that
involves dominant pitching over dominant hitting. From 1887 to 1880, batting averages took a
dip, going from .271 down to .245.5 Pitching nowadays has turned into a game of strikeouts.
Pitching for the strikeout is what keeps these pitchers in control of the game. Yes, pitching is
dominant over hitting, but when hitters make contact, these tables turn a bit. Hitters in 2017
showed an average of .336 compared to in 2009 with a .329.6 Hitters are figuring it out, which is
why keeping the barrel off the ball is essential in today’s game play.
Rules
When it comes to pitching, the rules have
changed in many different directions since
1845. When pitching first started, there was
no real rules to this part of the game.
Pitchers pitched how they
pleased and there was no “called ball”
system. John Thorn states that “The former
alliance of batter and pitcher was thus
breached, and the breach was soon to
widen.”7 Pitchers understood the dominance
that this system gave them and took
advantage of it. Eventually, the “called ball”
8 system entered the game so that it would
go by faster. Although there was still a
problem because at this time there was still
only one umpire who stood down the first
base line so he couldn't make accurate calls.
The rules during this time were heavily in favor of the pitcher. These rules consisted of the
mound being 15 feet closer than it is now, foul tips were counted as strikes, and it took 9 pitches
to walk a batter instead of 3 now.(9) In 1875 “Henry Chadwick proposed that the wrist snap be
legalized, and it was.”(10) This allowed for pitchers to use various pitches besides the fastball
which gave them a huge advantage.(11) Another advantage that pitchers gained during this time
was the legalization of overhand motion. “It was not until 1884 that limitations on a pitcher’s
delivery were removed, permitting the overhand motion and leading to a truly fast ball.”
(12) This overhand motion allowed for pitchers to locate pitches more easily and to start
throwing the ball much harder.
Growth Of Pitches
Fastball
The fastball is a pitch that used to be not nearly as close to how competitive it is
now. The fastball truly became dominant when the overhand pitching motion was
legalized. The fastball was soon to be an almost 2-in-1 pitch. There is the
traditional four seam fastball, the rising straight ball where the fingers
touch the seams at two different points. Then there are the two seams,
where the fingers touch at two points and the ball has sink and run to it.
(13) These pitches are both used in different ways. The four seem to get
pitchers to fly out and the two seam to get hitters to hit the ball on the
ground. When baseball first started, this pitch was only thrown at an
average of 80mph, compared to today where the average fastball is over 90
mph and the top recorded velocity is 105 mph.(14)
Curveball
“As the shells curved in the air,
Cummings wondered if he could
make a baseball do the same thing.”
(15) The invention of the curveball
was made by a man named Candy
Cummings. This pitch was used as a
huge advantage to pitchers, but
overhead throwing was not
legalized until 17 years after its
creation, which is when it really
began to be effective. (16) The
curveball led to pitches such as the
slider and the split finger, which are
both off-speed pitches that are used
heavily today. These pitches and
many like them were based on the
idea of the curveball and the
deception it can put onto a hitter.
Change-up
The changeup is a pitch that was created in a fairly simple way. An unknown pitcher decided to
throw their fastball a little slower than normal and it was nicknamed the “slow ball”. (17) This
pitch has evolved to be thrown from a series of different grips. The “palm ball” and “circle
change” are the most commonly known of these grips. A study from Anthony Carrozzo showed
that the number of pitchers that use the changeup went in decline from 2009 to 2013. Although
this is true, the velocity and number of times the pitch was
thrown increased. (18)
Injuries
Tommy John
Tommy John surgery is a surgery to reattach the Ulnar Collateral Ligament when it tears. It is
nicknamed “Tommy John” because in 1974 he was the first person to have this surgery done to
him. This was a huge step forward in baseball because it gave pitchers who had this injury
another chance at playing the game. Although, the road to get back is not an easy one. After
surgery, there is still a recovery time of 9-12 months and there is always the chance of no return.
When this surgery was first implemented into the game, many were very skeptical, but
eventually caught on and became popular. The problem is that the numbers for this injury
continue to rise in numbers. “The number of players going under the knife for Tommy John
surgery is increasing. A total of 36 MLB players underwent Tommy John in 2012, and 31 had
the surgery in 2014.” (19) This is much higher than only 28 from 1995-1998. (20)
Young Players
Many of the issues of injury are developing at an early age in baseball athletes. Young players
are being seen competing at a year-round rate more than ever. The evolution of club baseball and
the need to play in order to compete with the rest of the players is becoming a problem. These
kids feel the need to play in order to get looks from colleges so that they can further their careers.
“He tells his players to take the summers off, but kids striving for opportunities beyond high
school ball often gravitate toward club baseball and bullpen sessions with pro and college scouts
to get added exposure.” (21)
Player Growth
Better Performance
Over the course of the history of baseball, the game has evolved, and the players have with it.
Players in the MLB have shown an extremely huge increase in size compared to everyday
people. “According to ESPN, your average major league player on a roster in 2013 stands 6'1"
tall and weighs 207 pounds.” (22) This compared to an average major leaguer in 1903 who stood
just 5' 9 and weighed just 178 pounds. There are numerous reasons behind this huge difference in
size. The major reason behind this would be the availability to year-round training that these
players have now. “In 1966, 20-year-old Jim Palmer helped lead the Baltimore Orioles to a
World Series victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Less than a month later, Palmer was back at
work—folding clothes, not firing fastballs” (23) Back then, athletes needed to work in the
offseason to make money to provide for their families. The salaries of athletes and pitchers
specifically have gotten so high that they can focus all of their energy onto baseball only. This
has led to an increase in muscle and overall performance. Although not a pitcher, a prime
example of this high-end salary is the center fielder for the Anaheim Angels, Mike Trout. Trout
is taking a twelve-year $426,500,000 contract in 2019. He can put all of his time into baseball
and not worry about anything else. In an Interview done on Trout, he discusses the number of
hours per week he spends on baseball. With the amount of time he gets to use, it allows him to
remain the best and to keep getting bigger and stronger. This is an eye opener to how far the
game has evolved in monetary value.
Works Cited
1.Thorburn,Doug www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/22715/raising-aces-the-evolution-
of-pitching-mechanics/.
4.Thorn, John. “Pitching: Evolution and Revolution.” Our Game, Our Game, 6 Aug. 2014,
ourgame.mlblogs.com/pitching-evolution-and-revolution-efd3a5ebaa83.
6.Joe Posnanski “Baseball’s Evolution Keeping Game in Balance.” MLB.com,
www.mlb.com/news/baseball-s-evolutions-keep-the-game-in-balance-c286273560.
12.Carrozzo, Anthony. “The Evolution of the Pitch.” Newsday, 12 Feb. 2019,
projects.newsday.com/sports/baseball/pitching-evolution/.
19.Ben Leibowitz “From MLB to Youth Sports, Baseball Sees Increased Arm Injuries in Pitchers.”
Global Sport Matters, 11 Sept. 2018, globalsportmatters.com/health/2018/08/08/baseball-sees-
increased-arm-injuries-in-pitchers/.
22.Weiner, Rick. “Monumental Differences Between Today's Baseball Players and Those of
Yesteryear.” Bleacher Report, Bleacher Report, 3 Oct. 2017,
bleacherreport.com/articles/1549854-monumental-differences-between-todays-baseball-player-
and-those-of-yesteryear#slide2.
23.Weiner, Rick. “Monumental Differences Between Today's Baseball Players and Those of
Yesteryear.” Bleacher Report, Bleacher Report, 3 Oct. 2017,
bleacherreport.com/articles/1549854-monumental-differences-between-todays-baseball-player-
and-those-of-yesteryear#slide2.

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The Evolution Of Pitching In Baseball

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