Ben Weber: Former RHP MLB Giants, Angels

 

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

I started dropping down in 1996 when i faced this team 3 times and they beat me up, then the 4th time i decided to drop down occasionally, and i struck out 12 guys in 5 ip..after that, i did it more, with more success.

 

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

The advantages were alot of ground balls and hitters looking silly on swings and misses..

 

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

I had moderate success without dropping down, but over the top, coupled with dropping down changed the batter's eye level and gave them different looks, which is key to success.

 

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

I would tell someone changing their arm angle to be sure they are comfortable with it (mechanics are way more difficult) and to be sure they stay on top of the ball with all pitches or everything will flatten out==more hittable

 

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

No response

 

6. What pitches did you throw?

I threw sinker, slider change up

 

7. How did you pitch to lefties/righties?

I actually did better vs lefties, because i had a great circle change, therefore 3 pitches vs 2 vs righites (did not throw my change to righties===which was a big mistake)

 

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

My fav part throwing there were the barrage of ground balls and few homeruns given up, which is huge for a reliever...in fact, in 2002, i led ALL big league pitchers in ground baal to fly ball ration and i induced 20 double plays...as a reliever