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Josh Beckett. These pictures are of Josh Beckett, 2003 World Series MVP, in the opening game of the 2003 NLCS at Wrigley Field. I took the video from my seat and got these still shots from the video. You can use the right and left arrow keys to move back and forth through the presentation.
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Josh Beckett These pictures are of Josh Beckett, 2003 World Series MVP, in the opening game of the 2003 NLCS at Wrigley Field. I took the video from my seat and got these still shots from the video. You can use the right and left arrow keys to move back and forth through the presentation.
Beckett starts with his left foot forward and feet angled to the right. His hands are together in the “peek-a-boo” position. The ball of right foot is on dirt, and his feet are positioned to extreme left of rubber, which is not a standard position for feet.
He takes a very tiny sideways step with left foot and turns body a bit in the process. Note that he has a clear shot for his leg lift to come in front of other leg. His hands are starting over head which is fine but not the most popular method. He keeps his eyes toward target at this point.
Balance point. His hands have come back down to the standard position in front of chin. He is tall at the balance point, with back leg almost straight. His left knee goes back farther than the normal position (normal is in front of other leg), his left foot is relaxed with toe a little higher than heel, and his toe is pointing toward cf. His shoulders are closed to target. He is looking down at this point.
His hands and leg have come down at the same time and hands are just separating as his foot nears the ground. Notice the hips are starting forward as.upper body lags behind, and his leg and foot are still closed.
His stride is almost complete, and he uses the method of his foot opening with his heel about to have a soft landing. Arms are mirroring each other and his elbows are about even with shoulders. Note that ball is still below shoulder level at this point. Also note how far his right elbow has rotated back.
Just after landing the actual throwing motion has just begun at which point arms are no longer mirroring. Back foot has turned over with top of toes touching ground. Good bend in front leg.. Upper body has started rotation but notice that shoulders are still sideways while legs have turned toward target.
Release. It appears that arm has come out to full extension. Right foot has come forward, and it appears that it is slightly off ground--toe is still touching ground for most pitchers at this point. Glove is in front of left side just above belt. Front foot is slightly closed.
Follow-through. While left foot remains planted, upper body has come down to parallel with ground, throwing hand has followed through naturally, right leg is coming up and moving forward, and glove hand and arm have moved to rear. Body angle is about 45 degrees toward glove side.