At an early age, if you develop a delivery or a throwing motion that is direct to the plate, then that's fine. If you have one that's slightly open, that's fine, too.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
When you can throw 97 miles an hour and put the ball over the plate anytime you want, it's fun.
If you don't throw it, they can't hit it.
Joe Torre would tell you to make sure you can hit the ball on the outside part of the plate.
When I was up there at the plate, my purpose was to get on base anyway I could, whether by hitting or by getting hit.
Throwing a ball is not natural, whether it's overhand or underhand.
Hitting is business. With two strikes you really protect that plate.
When I hit, I felt I was in control of the home-plate area, and it was important that I felt that way. If I let the pitcher control it, it would give him an advantage.
I know I don't throw very hard anymore, but I'd like to think I can still hurt a guy who's not looking.
There is no doubt that someone who tries to throw a curve or pitch at any early age before he's developed, before his hand is big enough to grip the ball correctly, will damage his arm.
Just take the ball and throw it where you want to. Throw strikes. Home plate don't move.