The question really asks whether a pitcher should drive towards the catcher as he throws or let his natural body motion carry him in that direction. It's one of the many complex and subtle factors that affects how fast and accurately a ball can be thrown. A team of Johns Hopkins researchers recently measured some of the basic physical forces behind a pitch. With sensors placed at eight different points about the body, they were able to create a graphic computer model of the throw. Dr. Edward McFarland is director of sports medicine at Johns Hopkins and the study's senior author.
Most pitchers do have some drive with their back leg, towards home plate.
They certainly absorb a lot of force with their lead leg as they hit the ground. And I think you can infer from that strengthening the lower extremities is important in terms of helping generate velocity on the pitch. At the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, I'm Tom Haederle reporting. The Johns Hopkins University. All rights reserved.