Kameron Loe
former MLB RHP several teams
1. Could you tell us your story on dropping down?
It's funny that you hit me up right now with these questions because I literally threw my first sidearm pitches in a game, in like 6 years, last night in the Dominican Rep. I first started messing around with just a surprise sidearm heater every now and then in highschool. It was always a pretty natural motion for me. I'm a tall lanky guy who throws 3/4 naturally, and I have a whippy arm action. In college I ran into arm problems and it felt better to sling it from the side. I developed a slider from the side and ended up starting as a sidearmer my sophomore and junior years. When I got drafted by the Rangers I told them that I throw at both angles, and began throwing over the top to lefties and side sidearm to righties. I would even slide farther right on the rubber when slinging it. I threw that way, with a lot of success, until 2006 when the Rangers tried to change me and didn't want me throwing sidearm anymore. I started running into injuries shortly after. I got over my injuries and continued throwing over the top. I recently have had a rough couple years and have started to reinvent myself. Partly by bringing back the sidearm.
2. What are some of the advantages you had from your arm angle?
Throwing sidearm to righties, for me, gives me a huge advantage inside. My heater tails in and down on them and my slider starts behind them.
3. What would you tell someone debating on changing their arm angle?
My advice to someone considering sidearm would be that if it feels pretty natural and it doesn't hurt your arm, then play around with it and give yourself as many options as possible to make it to the top.
4. Are there any mechanical tips that you'd give to someone throwing sidearm/submarine?
I can't speak for true submariners, who nearly drag their knuckles, but I feel that sidearm mechanics are just slight shoulder and spine angel changes. You still want to be strong in your legs and over your front side for power. I think that keeping a quiet front side/ glove arm is still key, just like over the top. Avoid being too rotational, which can be a fine line.
5. Lastly what is your favorite part about pitching from down there?
I love slinging it sidearm and am excited about brining it back and breaking bats.