Billy 'Boo' Taylor: Former RHP several MLB teams

 

 

 

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

at a young age of 7yrs old I threw sidearm because it was natural to me and that's the way my dad worked with me on throwing because I was comfortable with it

 

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

A lot of movement that made hitters uncomfortable to stay in the batters box, a lot of ground balls at contact

 

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

No, I tried to throw over the top in minor leagues but didn't have a lot of success switched back to sidearm and was in big leagues in next couple of years

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

First you have to make sure you will have confidence in the transition and then learn how to control the movement because when u drop down you are going to get movement

 

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

try not to overthrow and let your arm throw the ball not your shoulders, regardless of arm angle u still have to throw the ball out in front of your body getting extended

6. What pitches did you throw?

FB,SL,CH  91-93 mph

7. How did you pitch to lefties/righties?

Being a closer I knew I had to come in and throw strikes, to rh hitters I pounded guys in with fb trying to get them to put the ball in play 3 pitches or less on the ground, then I threw sliders and change-ups for strikeout pitch if needed.Lefties I tried to do same by keeping ball down and using change-up and backdoor sliders for out pitch as well

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

 Knowing that I was different from most people and I felt like it was an advantage because being 6ft 8in tall throwing sidearm made rh hitters very uncomfortable in the batters box because the ball actually would be coming from shotstop side of field almost behind them