I wanted to add a technical postscript to the Eddie Kunz post from this morning. Why should it matter whether a pitcher starts from the stretch taller or bent?

Kunz own answer is that he stays balanced better through the delivery and that’s by far the most important. I had him demonstrate the cascade effect throughout his delivery from altering his beginning. Of course, he’s exaggerating in the pictures below for easy analysis.

Kunz Following Leaning Set	Kunz Following Tall Set

In the picture on the left:

- he’s landed closed with his front foot.

-This would sap velocity, and force him to throw across his body, straining his elbow

- His arm is trailing his body significantly

-Leading to pitches up

-His shoulders are to the viewer’s left of his feet.

-Rather than finishing “out front” by driving towards home plate and the viewer, his momentum will carry him across the frame as well

-This will make it much harder or impossible to locate his fastball or throw a slider for a strike

In the picture on the right:

- he’s landed more on line

- look at his hips about to explode towards home plate

- His arm is already up.

- His shoulders are in line with his feet and front leg

– Now he can get his extension out front on fastball and slider

-Now he can command his fastball to both sides