Dave Draijer: Former member of Dutch Olympic, World Baseball Classic team

 

1. Could you tell us your story on dropping down?

It started in Olympic year 2004, saw I got people out with fastball inside.. so the succes told me I had to create more movement inside. By dropping the arm-angle a little I create more movement, and I could throw it consistent and hitters knew is was comming and they still hit groundballs.. so I repeat the succes-pitch.

 

2. What are some of the advantages you had from your arm angle?

It create movement, and I will hide the ball longer behind my head.

 

3. If you didn't drop down, do you think you would have had the same success?

No.. I was never a hard-trowing pitcher.. so I had to do someting different and creat movement.

 

4. What would you tell someone debating on changing their arm angle?

You will loose velocity, and for younger people it will create arm-problems.. so keep the arm up! 5. submarine.. follow the natural finish of the arm.. sidearm... keep the fingers on top of the ball, so you can still have downword movement on the ball.

 

5. Are there any mechanical tips that you'd give to someone throwing sidearm/submarine?

submarine.. follow the natural finish of the arm.. sidearm... keep the fingers on top of the ball, so you can still have downword movement on the ball.

 

6. What pitches did you throw?

Sinking fastball - slider.. (some chang-up, but is though with that angle).

 

7. How did you pitch to lefties/righties?

Righties.. FB inside.. (some FB outside) and sliders outside if the sit on FB inside
Lefties.. FB outside, change-up to , some backdoor sliders.. so I keep it outside.. and sometimes I bust inside 8. I gets people out.. goundballs.. It`s magic if you come in with men on first and 1or2 balles later bases are empty afther a goundball-double play.

 

8. Lastly what was your favorite part about pitching from down there?

I gets people out.. goundballs.. It`s magic if you come in with men on first and 1or2 balles later bases are empty afther a goundball-double play 3 years ago most famous submarine pitcher Kent Tekulve (Pit. Pirates late `70) told me `a good thing about trowing for down here is that not many players are doing it, but the best thing about it is that i will get people out`.... a comment I will never forget.