PITCH ARSENAL DEVELOPMENT | $99/hr
Pitch Design is the process of using data and video to help a pitcher enhance a current pitch or create an entirely new pitch from scratch.
Advanced pitch tracking technology (Rapsodo PITCHING 2.0) is used to objectively measure the current state of each pitch. The pitch tracking data is combined with visual information from a high-speed video camera (Rapsodo INSIGHT) in order to pair “Real with Feel”.
Real with Feel + Pitch Data = Specific Changes That Improve Performance.
We analyze all pitches in an athlete's arsenal, as well as the interplay between them, with the end goal being… an optimized pitch arsenal that improves performance on the mound.
Pitch Design is not a new concept; however… objective measurement devices like Rapsodo PITCHING 2.0, and high-speed cameras like Rapsodo INSIGHT, have changed the Pitch Design game.
Advanced technology allows us to measure and understand exactly what is happening with each pitch in real-time… and enables us to provide meaningful feedback on the spot without any guesswork.
We're able to combine TRUTH (data), VISUALIZATION (video), and FEEL (kinesthetic awareness) to more efficiently and effectively optimize an athlete's pitch arsenal.
The immediate objective feedback helps shorten the learning curve and enables a back-and-forth between the pitching coach and athlete to find out which coaching cues work best.
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We use Rapsodo PITCHING 2.0 and Rapsodo INSIGHT... the same advanced Pitch Design technology that's trusted by all 30 MLB teams and 94% of D1 college baseball teams.
OUR PITCH ARSENAL DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
Design
The Design Phase is where we take the Baseline Pitch Arsenal Assessment information and conceptualize an action plan. We decide which pitches to keep and which pitches to change. We discuss the plan with the athlete and make any adjustments based on athlete feedback.
Trial & Error
The Trial & Error Phase is where we work through learning what works and doesn’t work. We’ll possibly adjust grip, finger pressure, hand/wrist position, and learn which coaching cues are effective… all aimed at achieving a desired pitch movement profile. Pitch movement is prioritized over command in this phase. The Trial & Error Phase relies heavily on metric-based bullpens and the duration of this phase will vary from athlete to athlete. No athlete’s progression path is set in stone and the duration of the process will vary from athlete to athlete.
Repetition
The Repetition Phase is where the athlete gains consistency. This phase is really an extension of the Trial & Error Phase with the main difference being that pitch design goals are much more specific. Beyond establishing consistency with Rapsodo outputs, athletes will need to learn how to distinguish a good pitch from a bad pitch and develop more feel for the pitch. It's not uncommon to see athletes start over from scratch if they can't gain consistency in this phase.
Command
The Command Phase is where we incorporate the execution component of the learning process to make the new/redesigned pitch more competitive. Our action plan determines the optimal target area for the new/redesigned pitch that maximizes its effectives in the athlete’s arsenal. We focus on Intended Target Execution Percentage (ITEP) to measure and monitor skill and progress. Target zones will get smaller as the athlete progresses.
Sequencing
The Sequencing Phase is where the athlete starts integrating the new/redesigned pitch into their arsenal… only after the athlete has shown the ability to execute on both shape and command. This phase integrates more variability and begins to resemble more of a game-like pitch mix.
Live Stress Test
The Live Stress Test Phase is broken down into two sub-phases. The first sub-phase is Low-Risk Competition. This sub-phase is a live AB session where the athlete will learn to adjust on the fly. The pitch sequences are scripted and centered around the new/redesigned pitch. In this sub-phase, we’re more concerned with shape, execution, and how the batter initially reacts… rather than pitch-level outcomes or results. Bottom line for this phase… We’re looking to see if the work the athlete has put in translates to a game-like setting against live hitters. The second sub-phase of the Live Stress Test Phase is High-Risk Competition. This is a non-scripted game-like live AB session, intrasquad, or scrimmage where the main goal is pitch-level outcomes and results… the highest priority being getting batters out.
PITCHES WE HELP DESIGN
The Profiles below are intended to show the relationship between arm slot and spin direction. Every pitcher is unique and there will be variances experienced in the field. We fit pitches to pitchers, not the other way around.​ Also, Grips and Profiles aren’t the same thing. Profiles can be thrown with different Grip variations and Seam Orientations.
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Fastball Profiles
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Over the Top 4-Seam FB: Dominated by backspin with slight sidespin. More rise (vertical break) and less run (horizontal beak) with 11:30 LHP / 12:30 RHP spin direction.
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Classic ¾ 4-Seam FB: Near perfect balance between backspin and sidespin. Equal parts rise and run with 10:30 LHP / 1:30 RHP spin direction.
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Low ¾ 4-Seam FB: Mostly sidespin with limited backspin. More run and less rise with 9:30 LHP / 2:30 RHP spin direction.
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Copycat 2-Seam FB: Near identical profile to 4-seam fastball. Mimics spin direction of 4-seam FB and behaves like a slower version with little separation in movement.
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Classic 2-Seam FB: Balanced backspin and sidespin. More run and less rise relative to 4-seam FB, but fall close to each other on break plot. 10:30 LHP / 1:30 RHP spin direction. Plots +/- 30 minutes away from 4-seam FB.
Slider Profiles
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True SL: Some sweep (glove-side break) with little to no rise or depth. Primarily gyro spin with some sidespin. 3:00 LHP / 9:00 RHP spin direction. Approx 25% spin efficiency. Athlete pulls down on outside of ball… last point of contact is on the side and slightly under ball.
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Slurve SL: Some sweep (glove-side break) and some depth (drop). Primarily gyro spin with near equal parts slight sidespin and slight topspin. 4:15 LHP / 7:45 RHP spin direction. Approx 25% spin efficiency. Most sweep and depth of Slider profiles. Athlete pulls down on outside and front of ball ever so slightly.
Hybrid SL: Little to no sweep (glove-side break) typically with some rise. Primarily gyro spin with some backspin and sidespin. 1:15 LHP / 11:15 RHP spin direction. Approx 25% spin efficiency. Athlete pulls down on outside/backside of ball.
Curveball Profiles
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Classic CB: Equal parts sweep (glove-side break) and depth (drop). About equal parts topspin, sidespin, and gyro spin. 4:30 LHP / 7:30 RHP spin direction. Approx 65% spin efficiency. Athlete pulls down on front/side of ball in a more vertically dominated fashion.
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Downer CB: More depth and minimal sweep. Dominant topspin with some sidespin and gyro spin. 5:00 LHP / 7:00 RHP spin direction. Approx 65% spin efficiency. Athlete pulls down predominantly on front of ball.
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Slurve CB: More sweep and less depth. Mostly sidespin, some gyro spin, and slight topspin. 4:00 LHP / 8:00 RHP spin direction. Approx 65% spin efficiency. Athlete pulls down on side/front of ball.
Changeup Profiles
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Classic CH: Fade (arm-side run) and rise (positive vertical movement) almost identical on break plot. Plots about 30 minutes away from fastball with increased arm-side run. Balanced backspin and sidespin. 10:30 LHP / 1:30 RHP spin direction.
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Fader CH: Substantially more run than rise. Even more fade and even less rise than Classic CH and furthest separation from fastball on break plot. Plots about 60 minutes away from fastball. Predominantly sidespin with some backspin. 10:00 LHP / 2:00 RHP spin direction. Athlete swipes fingers across ball and lets them slip off side of ball.
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Firm CH: Near identical profile to fastball and plots close to fastball on break plot. More rise than run. Mostly backspin with some sidespin. 11:00 LHP / 1:00 RHP spin direction. Athlete pulls down almost completely behind ball… similar to fastball.