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:
Developing
a kinesthetic sense (muscle memory) requires endless hours of
repetition, but with pitching we must be cautious that we do
not overwork the arm. Learning a skill involves a sufficient
amount of teaching plus an enormous amount of practice.
Don't
think that practice alone will lead to learning. Practice alone
leads to permanency. A skill incorrectly learned is extremely
hard to change. A pitcher must learn how to throw properely.
Throwing involves
-
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.
Handling
the pitching staff
You
plan the rotation and you make the decision when to take a pitcher
out of the game. More runs are scored in the first inning than
in any other. When a pitcher first crosses the line to warm
up, he is trying to concentrate and find his rhythm. It takes
some pitchers longer than others. Have patience in those early
innings. Don't be hasty in your decision to remove a pitcher,
try to go as far as you can with a pitcher. He must learn how
to pitch through adversity and know that you are behind him.
When you have to make a change have the pitcher on the mound
stay there and hand the ball to the incoming pitcher and offer
words of encouragement. The player may be leaving because he
is not pitching well, yet he is still there to offer words of
encouragement to his teammate. That's a team mind-set.
