Carter Capps

RchW · 04-14-2015, 05:09 PM

Anybody seen this guys delivery yet? I'm having a lot of trouble thinking this is a legal delivery. What say you?

Marlins Pitcher Carter Capps Has Bizarre, Leaping Pitch Delivery | Bleacher Report

Wow!

CD1083 · 04-14-2015, 05:19 PM

I'd like to see it in real time compared to another pitcher. It's too hard to judge without seeing it in context.

ludosc · 04-14-2015, 05:27 PM

I don't think it's illegal. His foot his on the rubber when he begins his motion so I don't see a problem with it. Jordan Walden has been doing something similar for years and it's never been a issue.

stl jason · 04-14-2015, 05:30 PM

sort of like Jordan Walden (now with the Cardinals). Saw him pitch a few nights ago.... took a little getting used to that odd hop he has in his motion.

Questdog · 04-14-2015, 05:35 PM

Apparently, it is legal, since he's doing it....but I do not think it should be. It's like he's pitching 3 feet close than everybody else.

The Cardinals' Jordan Walden hops up in the air when he delivers the ball.

Questdog · 04-14-2015, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ludosc

I don't think it's illegal. His foot his on the rubber when he begins his motion so I don't see a problem with it. Jordan Walden has been doing something similar for years and it's never been a issue.

Walden's hop is nothing like this fellows' jump....Walden goes up just a tick, this guy leaps like a mad man at the batter.....

RchW · 04-14-2015, 05:36 PM

Walden hops on the rubber. This is quite different IMO.

Cryomaniac · 04-15-2015, 05:23 AM

Apparently Capps has been told it's legal if he drags his foot, but not if he leaves the ground.

CommishJoe · 04-15-2015, 09:35 AM

Article says he's been told it's legal, but I don't think it should be. Batters already only have .25 of a second to make a decision. How much of that does this shave off by throwing closer to the plate? I would think the rule should be that the pitcher throw the ball while the back foot is in contact with the rubber.

Questdog · 04-15-2015, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CommishJoe

Article says he's been told it's legal, but I don't think it should be. Batters already only have .25 of a second to make a decision. How much of that does this shave off by throwing closer to the plate? I would think the rule should be that the pitcher throw the ball while the back foot is in contact with the rubber.

No pitcher does that. The back foot is raised in the air before they release the ball as part of their follow-through.

If he did this from a full wind-up position, it would be illegal because the rule states that you are only allowed to take a step with the free foot (the one not in contact with the rubber). And he is obviously taking a step with both of his feet. No such language exists in the rules on the stretch position, however. But why you could do it in one delivery and not the other makes no sense.

This should be illegal.

P.S. He has been called for illegal pitches in AAA before.

RchW · 04-15-2015, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cryomaniac

Apparently Capps has been told it's legal if he drags his foot, but not if he leaves the ground.

I know drag my friend. From what I know about drag he ain't draggin'.

Leo_The_Lip · 04-15-2015, 10:44 AM

Here's another posting from FanGraphs that includes MLB's 'clarification' to Capps and others: Carter Capps, Jordan Walden, and Legal Deliveries | FanGraphs Baseball

Steve509 · 04-15-2015, 01:31 PM

How are they(Capps and Walden) able to generate so much power with such an unorthodox pitching styles?

Splitter24 · 04-15-2015, 01:51 PM

There's no way they should let that be legal. The guys throws pretty hard. Take away 5% of the distance that other pitchers aren't must make it seem like this guy is throwing 104 or something.

He's clearly jumping forward, establishing a new point from which to throw and then letting go. I like guys with funky deliveries that mess up hitters' timing. But this should just be outlawed.

Questdog · 04-15-2015, 01:53 PM

I don't think Walden's hop helps him much, except to cause wildness, Capps is obviously gaining momentum with his leap to the plate,

Walden actually throws the ball while in mid-air, whereas Capps is landing and pushing off with his right foot again. Basically, it seems his true throwing motion does not start until after the leap is complete. Which basically just means he is throwing from 3 feet closer that he otherwise would.

Steve509 · 04-15-2015, 02:56 PM

I should note that I don't think Walden is guilty of pitching illegally, it's just that hitch or hop in his step is just really unorthodox and it amazes me that he's capable of throwing 95+ mph consistently.

As for Capps, I agree that his style is more of a problem as he's bringing himself significantly closer to the batter with his "hop". I'm not sure how dragging his back foot changes anything when he's throwing himself a couple feet closer. Again, I'm not sure how he generates the momentum he does to throw as hard as he does. I fully admit I'm not that knowledgeable in pitching mechanics, so I might be amazed more than others.

Questdog · 04-15-2015, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve509

I'm not sure how dragging his back foot changes anything when he's throwing himself a couple feet closer.

Well, if he was dragging his toe, he would not be able to re-plant his foot and push off again. To me, that is what is making this delivery illegal; the re-planting and second push-off. If he leaped off his right foot and threw as he was landing on his left, it would be okay. Just like an extra-long stride.

CONN CHRIS · 04-15-2015, 04:08 PM

There's definitely a re-establishment of the push-off point in that at the end of the drag. Unless I know less than I think I do (and that's generally the case) that has to be illegal.

CD1083 · 04-15-2015, 04:46 PM

I'd like to see a larger sample size of this as well. If you go back and watch older videos of his pitching motion it isn't nearly as exaggerated. This clip is either a new delivery he's using or an anomaly in how he normally delivers.

It seems the agreement being spoken of is for a much less egregious delivery method and this particular session he seems to really be pushing it. I wouldn't be surprised if his next outing it's less extreme.

04-14-2015, 05:09 PM	#1
RchW Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Toronto ON by way of Glasgow UK Posts: 15,629	Carter Capps Anybody seen this guys delivery yet? I'm having a lot of trouble thinking this is a legal delivery. What say you? Marlins Pitcher Carter Capps Has Bizarre, Leaping Pitch Delivery \| Bleacher Report Wow! Attached Images __________________ Cheers RichW If you’re looking for a good cause to donate money to please consider a Donation to Parkinson’s Canada. It may help me have a better future and if not me, someone else. Thanks. “Conservatism consists of exactly one proposition …There must be in-groups whom the law protects but does not bind, alongside out-groups whom the law binds but does not protect.” Frank Wilhoit

04-14-2015, 05:36 PM	#7
RchW Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Toronto ON by way of Glasgow UK Posts: 15,629	Walden hops on the rubber. This is quite different IMO. __________________ Cheers RichW If you’re looking for a good cause to donate money to please consider a Donation to Parkinson’s Canada. It may help me have a better future and if not me, someone else. Thanks. “Conservatism consists of exactly one proposition …There must be in-groups whom the law protects but does not bind, alongside out-groups whom the law binds but does not protect.” Frank Wilhoit

04-15-2015, 05:23 AM	#8
Cryomaniac Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2007 Location: Hucknall, Notts, UK Posts: 4,902	Apparently Capps has been told it's legal if he drags his foot, but not if he leaves the ground. __________________

04-15-2015, 09:35 AM	#9
CommishJoe Global Moderator Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 5,238	Article says he's been told it's legal, but I don't think it should be. Batters already only have .25 of a second to make a decision. How much of that does this shave off by throwing closer to the plate? I would think the rule should be that the pitcher throw the ball while the back foot is in contact with the rubber. __________________ Joe Success isn’t owned. It’s leased. And rent is due every day.

04-15-2015, 10:44 AM	#12
Leo_The_Lip All Star Starter Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 1,801	Here's another posting from FanGraphs that includes MLB's 'clarification' to Capps and others: Carter Capps, Jordan Walden, and Legal Deliveries \| FanGraphs Baseball __________________ "My name will live forever" - Anonymous

04-14-2015, 05:19 PM	#2
CD1083 All Star Starter Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,590	I'd like to see it in real time compared to another pitcher. It's too hard to judge without seeing it in context.

04-14-2015, 05:27 PM	#3
ludosc Minors (Single A) Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 71	I don't think it's illegal. His foot his on the rubber when he begins his motion so I don't see a problem with it. Jordan Walden has been doing something similar for years and it's never been a issue.

04-14-2015, 05:30 PM	#4
stl jason Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 10,112	sort of like Jordan Walden (now with the Cardinals). Saw him pitch a few nights ago.... took a little getting used to that odd hop he has in his motion.

04-14-2015, 05:35 PM	#5
Questdog Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: In a dark, damp cave where I'm training slugs to run the bases...... Posts: 16,142	Apparently, it is legal, since he's doing it....but I do not think it should be. It's like he's pitching 3 feet close than everybody else. The Cardinals' Jordan Walden hops up in the air when he delivers the ball.

04-15-2015, 01:31 PM	#13
Steve509 Minors (Double A) Join Date: May 2012 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 121	How are they(Capps and Walden) able to generate so much power with such an unorthodox pitching styles? __________________ Add me on Steam: http://steamcommunity.com/id/mretsam

04-15-2015, 01:51 PM	#14
Splitter24 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Willsboro, NY Posts: 2,895	There's no way they should let that be legal. The guys throws pretty hard. Take away 5% of the distance that other pitchers aren't must make it seem like this guy is throwing 104 or something. He's clearly jumping forward, establishing a new point from which to throw and then letting go. I like guys with funky deliveries that mess up hitters' timing. But this should just be outlawed. __________________ Currently Reading: The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen "Well, the game is afoot. I’ll take anal bum cover for 7,000." - "Sean Connery" SNL Celebrity Jeopardy R.I.P. Tommy Holmes 1917-2008

04-15-2015, 01:53 PM	#15
Questdog Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: In a dark, damp cave where I'm training slugs to run the bases...... Posts: 16,142	I don't think Walden's hop helps him much, except to cause wildness, Capps is obviously gaining momentum with his leap to the plate, Walden actually throws the ball while in mid-air, whereas Capps is landing and pushing off with his right foot again. Basically, it seems his true throwing motion does not start until after the leap is complete. Which basically just means he is throwing from 3 feet closer that he otherwise would.

04-15-2015, 02:56 PM	#16
Steve509 Minors (Double A) Join Date: May 2012 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 121	I should note that I don't think Walden is guilty of pitching illegally, it's just that hitch or hop in his step is just really unorthodox and it amazes me that he's capable of throwing 95+ mph consistently. As for Capps, I agree that his style is more of a problem as he's bringing himself significantly closer to the batter with his "hop". I'm not sure how dragging his back foot changes anything when he's throwing himself a couple feet closer. Again, I'm not sure how he generates the momentum he does to throw as hard as he does. I fully admit I'm not that knowledgeable in pitching mechanics, so I might be amazed more than others. __________________ Add me on Steam: http://steamcommunity.com/id/mretsam

04-15-2015, 04:08 PM	#18
CONN CHRIS Global Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 29,021	There's definitely a re-establishment of the push-off point in that at the end of the drag. Unless I know less than I think I do (and that's generally the case) that has to be illegal. __________________ Check Out My Cards!

04-15-2015, 04:46 PM	#19
CD1083 All Star Starter Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,590	I'd like to see a larger sample size of this as well. If you go back and watch older videos of his pitching motion it isn't nearly as exaggerated. This clip is either a new delivery he's using or an anomaly in how he normally delivers. It seems the agreement being spoken of is for a much less egregious delivery method and this particular session he seems to really be pushing it. I wouldn't be surprised if his next outing it's less extreme.