Did Our Ancestors Become Bipedal So They Could Throw? - Facts So Romantic
▻http://nautil.us/blog/did-our-ancestors-become-bipedal-so-they-could-throw
When San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner stands on the mound, he looks as if he’s stalking the batter at the plate. The first part of his wind-up seems deliberate, almost prayer-like. From the stretch, he brings his glove, on his right hand, up slowly, so that it’s just under his chin as he eyes the runner on first base. Then, suddenly, his body coils as he thrusts his right knee violently to his chest. Using his left leg, planted on the pitching rubber, he propels toward home plate. As Bumgarner’s body surges ahead, his throwing arm winds back then snaps through as his hand releases the ball. That momentum causes his weight to transfer from his left leg to his right, a shift in his center of gravity that forces his back leg to lever up suddenly—a supreme distraction to the (...)