Mechanics

I just finished reading one of the most interesting articles I’ve read in a long time. It’s about Tim Lincecum, a 24 year old starting phenom for the SF Giants. This kid’s dad taught him his incredibly wild throwing mechanics from the time he was five. And now, weighing a measley 175 lbs, he throws 98 with an incredible curve ball, and maybe even more importantly, his arm doesn’t get tired or sore. It turns out that working on your mechanics for hours and hours over days and years can make you a great baseball player. This is one of those old fashioned ideas that they taught me in little league.

Today’s sollution to baseball success seems to be getting bigger and stronger, and let power overcome any need for technique. It is only fitting that baseball is riddled with steroid abuse and controversy. Just today it was announced that Manny and Papi tested positive back in 2003. I actually didn’t think Manny had it in him to take steroids. I figured some kind of pride would have gotten in the way of that. I guess not. But honestly, who cheats at baseball? This has got to be some kind of cardinal sin if you ask me. I’d rather you cheat on your taxes before you cheat at baseball; at least you can make the argument that there isn’t anything sacred about taxes.

Meanwhile, out in San Francisco this 24 year old kid who weighs just 175 lbs is already being compared to history’s greatest pitchers.

The dad tip? Buy Tom Humanski’s baseball mechanics videos and teach your kid to work hard at something. He could be the next Tim Lincecum!