Cameron Lamb
Former Astros AA RHP, member of Australia National team
1. Could you tell us your story on dropping down?
In 2012 i was in extended spring training with the giants. I was in the bullpen before practice and I was playing catch occasionally throwing some sidearm when one of the pitching coaches saw me and thought it might suite my body to throw sidearm. I always threw across my body and when I was throwing sidearm he thought it looked more natural. I threw my first bullpen that day and made the decision to become a sidearmer.
2. What are some of the advantages you have from your arm angle?
the major advantage is that it forces the hitter to try pick the ball up from a location they don't see very often. Add the natural movement you get from that angle and it makes it tough for a hitter to square you up if you execute the location of your pitch.
3. If you didn't drop down, do you think you would have had the same success?
Changing my arm slot gave me a opportunity to play at a higher level no doubt, but I think if I had the same chance over the top I would have been just as competative.
4. What would you tell someone debating on changing their arm angle?
It's a big decision because you basically have to start from scratch and teach yourself how to throw again from a new angle. The release point and feel of throwing from a different angle takes longer then people think to become comsistant.
5. Are there any mechanical tips that you'd give to someone throwing sidearm/submarine?
keep your mechanics simple. I was basically taught the upper body stays the same as if your were throwing normally, you just bend at the waist when delivering the ball.
6. What pitches do you throw?
I throw a 4 seam fastball, a slider and occasional change up.
7. How do you pitch to lefties/righties?
lefties and righties I treated the same at the start of an at bat by pounding the bottom of the zone with my fastball or flipping in a slider. I tried to Finnish lefties and righties mostly with fastballs in or a fastball up in the zone, the only difference was with my slider I threw it away from a righty and back door to a lefty.
8. Lastly what is your favorite part about pitching from down there?
Being a sidearm guy you come in a lot of the time with guys on base, and there no better feeling then getting that big ground to get your team out of a jam.