I agree that it is useful that people are thinking about pitching mechanics in different ways. I have been in contact with Dr. Marshall with them, and he is good enough to answer all my questions, no matter how silly they are. He has some successes at the big league level (Jeff Sparks, Rudy Seanez), his pitchers very rarely suffer injuries, and release velocities are somewhat competitive (mid-upper 80’s), so there is merit to his ideas.

I don’t think there is any question that Dr. Marshall’s pitching mechanics are safer than traditional ones. However, the real question is whether or not these mechanics can produce enough release velocity and quality pitches to get hitters out. Dr. Marshall’s curveballs and screwballs are very high quality (pronated release allows for significantly more spin), but the fastballs don’t have much movement and don’t quite have the release velocities to compete at high levels – yet. Much of this has to do with genetics, so it’s not all up to him – he can only do the best with the clients he gets, and most of them are college dropouts or injured pitchers.

Based on seeing some kid throw with these mechanics, how can one jump to the conclusion that there’s nothing to Marshall’s theories?

I actually think this is a legal pitching delivery under MLB rules, though I agree that most umps won’t allow it.

As for your comments about maximizing velocity, I mostly agree. Hip/torso separation is the main contributor of velocity by powerfully pulling the upper body behind the lower body. Segmentation of body parts, proximal to distal, and all that other kinetic link stuff.

Two things happen with this kid’s lower body that actually benefit driveline length AND hip rotation.

By taking that extra “step”, his driveline is lengthened by at least 3 feet, giving him more time to apply force to the baseball and shortening the distance between release point and the plate.

The hip rotation benefit isn’t as obvious but when that wrong foot moves forward past his glove foot, his hips are rotating. Marshall teaches pitchers to not just take that step, but to take a powerful step while pulling with the glove foot. As the center of mass moves forward, the hips continue to rotate and the pull of the front leg becomes a push.

As for the legality, it’s no less legal than the stride Lincecum or Volquez takes when they fly off the rubber to release their pitches. It just looks different. If his throwing foot hits before the ball is released, then it becomes illegal.

Well, actually, that’s not true. You can see ASMI’s study of Dr. Marshall’s pitchers in this thread.

But as far as published papers go, no, he has none.

In his instructional videos, you can find high-speed footage of Dr. Marshall throwing. Not sure which video, but it’s there.