Build the Arsenal That Fits You

When it comes to pitch design, it’s easy to fall into the trap of chasing what works for someone else. We see big-league guys dotting glove-side sinkers or ripping off devastating sweepers, and we think, “I need that pitch.” But what if your body isn’t built for that pitch? What if your arm action and movement tendencies point you in a completely different direction?

One of the biggest unlocks in modern pitching development is understanding how a pitcher naturally moves — and then building a pitch repertoire that complements those movements. That’s where concepts like pronation vs. supination, arm slot, and motor preference come into play (Sarkar, 2023; Reinold & Wilk, 2020).

At a basic level, pitchers can generally be categorized by how they rotate through the throw. Supinators tend to ride the ball back with their hand slightly turned outward — like pouring a glass of water. These pitchers typically have more vertical arm slots and create carry, vertical break, and sharper overhand breaking balls. If you're a supinator, you may naturally throw riding four-seam fastballs, 12–6 curveballs, or depthy changeups.

Pronators, on the other hand, rotate more internally with the palm staying downward longer into the throw. These athletes tend to produce more arm-side run, sink, and pitches with gyro spin. That often looks like sinkers, cutters, and sliders — pitches that run or dive with lateral movement (Bourne, 2019; Driveline Baseball, 2022). Neither type is “better” than the other. The key is understanding which one you are, and leaning into what your body already does well.

This matters in pitch design because trying to force the wrong shape into your game can create frustration, inconsistency, or even injury. For example, if you’re a natural pronator throwing from a lower slot, trying to force a high-spin 12–6 curveball may not just feel awkward — it may never move the way you want it to. The shape won’t match the angle. It’s like trying to throw a football overhand from a sidearm release (Reinold & Wilk, 2020).

Instead, build your arsenal around the movements that come naturally. If your arm slot and rotation lend themselves to run and sink, use that. If you create ride and vertical break with ease, build around it. This approach isn’t about limiting you — it’s about maximizing what already works.

Motor preference ties into this as well. It’s not the centerpiece of my pitching philosophy, but it’s a valuable tool that helps explain how different athletes stabilize and organize movement patterns under stress. Originally developed by researchers in the neuroscience and motor control space (Siff & Verkhoshansky, 2009; IKN Academy, 2021), motor preference insights help clarify why some movement styles feel “natural” while others create tension or inefficiency.

When we combine motor preference, biomechanics, arm slot, and tech feedback from tools like Trackman and HitTrax, we can design pitch arsenals that aren’t just effective — they’re sustainable, efficient, and repeatable.

The result? Better consistency. Less mechanical stress. And more confidence when you step on the mound with an arsenal that truly feels like yours.

Pitching is a game of constant adjustments. But the foundation should always be built on how you move — not what’s trending or what works for someone else. Stop chasing shapes that don’t belong to you. Start throwing the pitches that fit your body, your delivery, and your game.

If you're looking to get a deeper understanding of how you move and how to match your pitch mix to your natural patterns, reach out or visit nextgen-pitching.com. Let’s build an arsenal that fits you.

References

• Bourne, M. (2019). Throwing Mechanics and Arm Action Patterns. Driveline Baseball.

• Driveline Baseball. (2022). Pitch Design Certification Course Materials.

• Reinold, K., & Wilk, K. (2020). The Athlete’s Shoulder (3rd ed.). Elsevier.

• Sarkar, D. (2023). Principles of Biomechanics in Throwing Athletes. Sports Medicine Journal.

• Siff, M.C., & Verkhoshansky, Y.V. (2009). Supertraining (6th ed.).

• IKN Academy. (2021). Intro to Motor Preference Training.