College coach gives young arms basic pitching lessons

About a dozen young Baker pitchers learned the art of pitching Saturday morning at the Baker Bulldog Winter Pitching Clinic.

The clinic was conducted by Rob Hippi, pitching coach at Lower Columbia Community College in Longview, Wash.

Hippi has spent 22 years at LCC and has been part of four championship teams and seven runner-up squads. Under Hippi, the Devils have led the NWACC in strikeout/walk ratio in all but two of the past 14 seasons.

Hippi played collegiate ball at Central Washington University, and pitched professionally in the New York Yankees organization from 1969-1972.

He also has coached two Longview teams to the Babe Ruth World Series.

Hippi has worked at several camps and speaks at clinics throughout the Pacific Northwest.

“If I know my mechanics then I’m going to throw more strikes,” Hippi told the young hurlers.

“And the harder you throw the longer you’re going to be able to play this game.”

Hippi demonstrated the proper mechanics to be successful.

He told the young arms they should start with their toes pointed slightly toward the right rather than straight toward home plate.

“It’s easier to get your balance point than if you’re straight ahead,” he said.

Then as they start to wind up they should keep their knee inside the angle of their foot.

“Again, this is for balance as you take the step,” he said. “And, at the same time I like to see your hands drop to your waist. This gives you a better chance to have a quicker arm.”

Balance. Separation. Power base. Release. Hippi said those were the four basic components of pitching.

“And, the nice thing about pitching is you’re going to do the same things thousands of times over your life,” he said.

“Rhythm, tempo, posture, balance. You want it to be easy. You can do so with good mechanics.

“When we get to that point we can recruit strength. When your front foot hits that’s when it gets violent. You have to throw hard to throw hard,” Hippi said.

“If you improve your arm action that’s the quickest way to throw harder, faster.

“Think of the motion as snapping a bull whip. Lead with the elbow and the wrist will follow.”

The young pitchers then put what they learned to use by throwing to catchers. While that was going on they were being filmed. The film then was reviewed to show each player what he is doing rght and what he still must work on.