Handling Your Pitcher

Pitchers are considered by many to be the most important element in a team's success. Pitchers are the only player on the field who touch the ball on every play. Baseball is essentially a confrontation between the pitcher and the batter. The winner of that battle controls the outcome of the game.

A pitcher must learn how to throw before he can learn how to pitch. Throwing is the basic foundation for pitching, and when properly learned it will lead development of pitching skills. Do not accept poor throwing action.

The pitcher can control all its variables. Pitching is an action and hitting is a reaction, involving a series of variables that the batter cannot control, such as the type, speed, and location of the pitch.

Pitchers are built from the ground up. It takes approximately six weeks to make a substancial change in a pitcher's delivery. Pitchers are usually unwilling to try new things during the season because they are concerned about seasonal statistics. It can be very difficult to make changes during the season. Do not let statistics get in the way. Off-season training is critical to a young pitchers success.

Games belong to the players; practices belong to the coaches. Each pitcher must become his own pitching coach. Trust the players' ability to make decisions, including pitch selection.

Establishing priorities with a pitcher must start with making sure he arm stays healthy. Without a healthy arm, all else is meaningless. Overworking the arm is the biggest causes of arm injury. Limiting the number of pitches is a good starting point. It is better to pitch to little than to much. Listen to the athlete, he will provide you with the best X-ray of his arm. If he is hurting, make him feel free to express it. Once you have made sure to prevent injury to the arm, you can consider other priorities:

• Proper technique
• Proper mechanics
• Command of fastball
• Development of change of pace
• Command of change of pace
• Development of breaking ball (For older pitchers)
• Command of breaking ball
• Pitching strategy

1. Swinging the arm back smoothly, with the hand (palm down) close to the body on a line between home plate and second base,
2. Transfering weight to the pivot leg,
3. Taking a step toward the target,
4. Coiling the arm,
5. Exploding toward the target,
6. Following through.

• Elbows relaxed and close to the body
• Weight over pivot foot
• Ball hidden from batter and base coaches
• Eyes visualizing path of ball to target

• Weight over back leg
• Eyes focuson target
• Knee at highest point
• Stride forward when hands separate

• Fingers on top of ball
• Stride foot closed
• Shoulders lined with target
• Focus on target

• Stride knee bent but firm
• Hand pulls shoulder through
• Shoulder follows hand
• Allows pronation to happen

• Shoulder below chin to target
• Glove pulled into bodies
• Throwing shoulder lower than glove shoulder
• Armpit over stride knee

• Do not waste a pitch or an at bat, no matter the score.
• Don't be in a hurry to get an out. Stick with your game plan.
• Pitch away from the middle of the plate when ahead in the count.
• First pitch strikes are critical.
• Don't worry about the consequences of a pitch.
• Pitch to situations. For example, with no outs and a man on second base, place the ball to avoid hits to the right side of the field.
• Double up on pitches. Back-to-back pitches stop hitters from guessing, especially effective when thrown inside.
• Change intervals with runners on base.
• Use fastballs when ahead in the count and off-spead pitches when behind.
• Use and off-speed first pitch with a runner on third base. The batter will usually be eager to drive in a run.