Jason Schmidt’s Delivery
2005-07-22 23:20
At my Dodger Stadium visit last week, I took a few pictures from above of Jason Schmidt warming up in the bullpen.
Use the “Next Image” link to step through Schmidt’s delivery. (Requires JavaScript).
Three things strike me about these images:
- you can really see what a large stride he takes
- he does a 90 degree rotation of his chest between the fourth and fifth pictures
- His shoulders get perfectly square to the plate in the fifth picture
1. Ken,
From what vantage point do you take these pictures? There must be an interesting optical illusion at work, because if I didn't know better I'd assume that you were up in the Goodyear blimp.
Nice work.
2. I took this from the "Reserved Level" (3rd deck), the end of which is just above the bullpen.
3. Great stuff Ken!
I notice the same things you did. Schmidt's stride looks to be right at the 75% ideal. It's also consistent - Schmidt strides into the footprint perfectly. Assuming this wasn't his second pitch, he's repeating the delivery well. His glove and head are directly above his knee when his shoulders square. No matter how many times I see external rotation like this, it seems wrong. Pitchers can handle it. His follow thru comes a little far right rather than driving forward, but I could live with that. Whatever's wrong with Schmidt isn't in his mechanics.
I'd love to know how long the time was between these pictures. That vantage point is priceless.
4. The pictures are a composite of three different throws. I got two pictures per pitch. The timestamps on the pictures are all within the same minute.
The order the pictures were taken: 1,3...4,6...2,5