With the increased emphasis on strength and conditioning, baseball players are able to throw the ball harder and farther than ever before. Major League Baseball is played at breathtaking speed, and pitchers are no exception. The velocity and power -- and ultimately speed -- of a fastball is determined by the proper throwing motion, which includes following through.
Proper Mechanics
To understand how following through distinctly affects the speed of a baseball, you must understand the complete throwing motion. Pitchers and ballplayers try to generate as much torque and leverage as possible during the windup, when they gather themselves to throw. This is demonstrated when a pitcher contorts his body getting ready to throw and raises his arms over his head. Infielders will plant and gather, while outfielders take a crow-hop toward the direction they want to throw.
Unleashing Power
Baseball players look to throw the ball as hard and as accurately as they can no matter where they are on the field. First, it is a show of class and ability when a hard-thrown ball finds its way to the target. Second, baseball is a game of seconds, and without the speed and velocity of a hard-thrown ball, players might miss plays in the field or at the plate. Pitchers are looking to strike batters out and often must throw the ball as hard as possible.
Losing Velocity
Without a follow through, that powerful throwing motion becomes unnatural. Without a proper position to transfer weight and release the forearm -- the proper follow-through motion -- the baseball will lose power and accuracy. The body's calculated motion becomes lost when there is no follow through, because so much power is generated with the arms, legs and hips before release. Holding off on the follow through will cause a severe loss in power.
Accuracy Gone
Without a proper follow through, baseball players will lose not only power but accuracy on the throw. Players are taught to always follow through to the target. This gets the weight through properly and allows for the correct forearm and body rotation before, during and after the release of the baseball. Stopping the release, or having no release, robs the body of that stored kinetic energy. There is no place for the player to deliver a powerful blow, resulting in a very weak throw.
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