Okay, so I got this idea the other day, watching some baseball highlights. Craig Kimbrel, right? That pitching stance is just wild. The way he hunches over, arm dangling… looks kinda like a vulture waiting or something. Anyway, I thought, “Hey, why not give that a try myself?” Just for kicks, you know, see how it feels.
Getting Started – The Mirror Phase
First thing I did was stand in front of a mirror. Gotta see what you’re doing, right? I bent over at the waist, trying to get that deep hunch he has. Man, it felt weird. Like, really unnatural at first. My lower back immediately said hello.
Then, the arm. Letting my pitching arm just hang down like that? Strange sensation. Usually, you’re taught to keep things a bit more controlled, closer to your body maybe. This felt super loose, almost disconnected. I tried shifting my weight around a bit, trying to find some kind of balance in that position.
Finding the Feel (or Trying To)
So, after looking ridiculous in the mirror for a bit, I went outside to actually simulate the motion. No ball yet, just getting the body mechanics.
- Tried to really exaggerate the bend.
- Focused on keeping that lead shoulder pointed towards the target, even hunched over.
- Let the pitching arm hang completely dead weight for a moment.
- Then, attempted to transition into a throwing motion.
That transition part? That’s the tricky bit. Going from completely still and hunched to exploding towards the plate… it’s a unique sequence. My first few tries felt jerky, like my body didn’t quite know how to connect the dots from that starting position.
Repetition and Tweaks
I spent a good chunk of time just repeating it. Bend, dangle, hold, then simulate the throw. Over and over. I noticed a few things:
Balance is key. Leaning too far forward makes you unstable when you start the motion. Had to really focus on keeping my weight centered, even in that weird posture.
It feels intense. Holding that hunched position puts a different kind of strain on your body, mostly the back and legs. Definitely not a relaxed starting point.
The arm whip potential. I can kinda see why he might do it. Starting with the arm so loose could potentially lead to more whip action, but timing that seems incredibly difficult. My timing was all over the place.
End Result (For Now)
So, after messing around with it for a while, can I do the Kimbrel stance perfectly? Nope. Not even close. It still feels pretty awkward, and getting the timing right for a smooth transition into a throw is something I definitely haven’t figured out.
But it was interesting to try! Gives you a bit more appreciation for how guys develop these unique styles. It’s not just for show; there’s usually some feeling or mechanical advantage they’re going for, even if it looks odd to us. For me, though, I think I’ll stick to a more conventional setup for now. Way easier on my back, that’s for sure.
