Downs Talmage et al. (2021) studied 83 softball pitchers—40 youth players and 43 collegiate players—to see how their lower-body mechanics differed during the windmill pitch. Each pitcher threw three fastballs for a strike while wearing electromagnetic motion-capture sensors that tracked joint angles, angular velocities, hip movement, stride length, and center-of-mass (COM) position throughout the pitch. The scientists measured these variables at five key moments of the pitch: the 3-o’clock arm position, top of the arm circle, foot contact, ball release, and follow-through. Since many of the data were not normally distributed, the authors used Mann-Whitney U tests to compare the two groups, with significance set at p < .006 to reduce the chance of false positives. They also ran correlations to explore how stride length, COM position, hip velocity, and ground reaction forces related to ball speed.
They found:
- Collegiate pitchers had much higher drive-knee extension angular velocity at the 3-o’clock position compared to youth pitchers.
- Collegiate pitchers showed greater drive-knee flexion angle at the top of the arm circle.
- Youth pitchers had a significantly more anterior (forward) center-of-mass position at the top of the arm circle.
- No major group differences were seen at ball release or follow-through.
- Collegiate pitchers threw significantly faster (≈56 mph) than youth pitchers (≈47 mph).
- Across the whole group and within youth pitchers, ball speed moderately correlated with stride-foot ground reaction force (GRF).
- Youth pitchers—but not collegiate pitchers—showed correlations between stride length and COM position at several pitching events.
- Higher hip linear velocity (both stride-hip and drive-hip) was associated with faster ball speed, especially in youth pitchers.
Implications: This study showed clear differences in how youth and collegiate pitchers use their lower bodies. Collegiate pitchers generated more powerful drive-leg movements, suggesting better strength or more refined technique, which likely contributed to their higher pitch speeds. Youth pitchers tended to shift their body weight forward too early, which might disrupt timing and force them to compensate with their upper body—possibly increasing injury risk. The results also suggested that longer stride lengths and stronger ground-reaction forces help produce faster pitches, especially in younger athletes who show more variation in skill and mechanics. The authors emphasize that improving drive-leg strength, knee extension power, and controlled push-off mechanics could help young pitchers develop into more efficient and safer throwers. They also note that collegiate pitchers may show fewer correlations because their mechanics are more consistent and refined. Future research should include strength testing and earlier phases of the pitching motion to better understand how lower-body mechanics contribute to performance. I hope to give more insight on the beginning of the pitch soon, but I agree with their sentiments. According to my unofficial reports from biomechanics camp, strength seems to ALWAYS be a main issue in both launch and resistance mechanics.
Also…
I have mentioned this guy before, but Dr. Ismael Gallo had a great thread that I wanted to share. He’s breaking down the things he wishes he would have done or known during his professional career. Very cool.