The Washington Report
Washington Report: Page 6 “The Art of Pitching!”
THE ART OF PITCHING
By
Antonio White
If one were to sit down and try to figure out what it takes to be an effective pitcher at any level, they would probably think it would take a while to figure out. But in actuality, it’s not that difficult. In my opinion, what ever level you are, whether it’s little league or major leagues, there are two main components to an effective pitcher. The first is being able to change speeds with your pitches. A lot of people think that if you throw 90mphs plus, you will be ok. Think about it, everybody in baseball is able to hit a fastball at some point. So if all you have is a 90mph fastball, you will not last long at any level. If you are able to change speeds on that fastball, it will make it a lot more difficult for a batter to time your pitch, thus making you a more effective pitcher.
In my eyes, this component is the most important part in being a dominant pitcher on any level. What is it, you may ask yourself. Well, I’ll tell you-Location, Location, Location. It doesn’t matter if you throw 75mph or 102mph, if you can locate your pitch on any point of the plate, you are basically untouchable. When I say locate, I mean being able to place the pitch exactly where the catcher sets up for the pitch to go or where he/she calls for it to go. Home plate is 17 inches wide. If you are able to use all 17 inches, maybe 19 inches if you are good, you will write your ticket to Cooperstown.
These are two factors I think that make an effective pitcher. If you have any other factors, feel free to elaborate on them. I would love to hear what you have to say about it. For all you coaches out there, when working with pitchers, don’t get caught up trying to increase the pitcher’s velocity, concentrate on getting that player to hit his/her spots with pinpoint accuracy and watch how far they will go. I have spoken and I’m out.
If you have any other factors, feel free to elaborate on them. I would love to hear what you have to say about it. Kutwashington@yahoo.com
OPEN PAGE:
Antonio
That's a cool take but how do you explain to a kid at 9 years old how to hit a spot? Location is key but speed is going to play the deciding factor at the end of the day on whether a batter gets out or not, just my thought.
Signed -Frank Marshall-
Great article from Face-off. I know that's how he controlled the rubber when he was given the rock back in the day. Keep the people hitting up with your knowledge and letting them know how to do it big.
Signed -Bus W-
Good stuff Young Bruh…
I would have to pitch in (pun intended) a third component to being an effective pitcher and this is pitch variety. It is true that being able to efficiently place the ball at various points in the strike zone is important. Also, I agree with you in that change of speed is also important. But when you throw in another factor of uncertainty it intensifies the advantageous situation that the pitcher has over the batter. The batter is faced with making several quick decisions as the ball travels toward him/her. 1. Is the ball likely to end up somewhere in the strike zone. 2. How fast is the ball traveling and how soon must I have to initiate my swing. 3. What type of pitch is it as I anticipate ball movement? So on and so forth….
Having pitch variety adds even more complexity to the batter’s swing decision and makes the pitcher that much more effective.
God Bless…
signed - Wayne W-
Reply to: Frank Marshall
Frank,
You explain and teach that 9 year old or any player the same way you train a dog how to sit, stay or lie down, not that I'm comparing the child to an animal, REPETITION. One of the ways that you can do that is divide the plate into 3 sections: outside corner, down the middle, inside corner. Place a bucket on one of these 3 spots and have the player hit that target ten straight times with whatever pitch desired. This will teach muscle memory so when you call that location in a game, he/she will remember how it looks and feels to pitch to that spot. After a while, this becomes second nature to the player. Besides, speed as it pertains to how one throws is overrated in my book. Not every pitcher is going to throw mid to upper 90s regardless of how much long toss and rubber band work you do. What do you do then? Ask Greg Maddox...
And I'm out...
signed - "Da Auther" Antonio
With the speed, variety and foremost as explained by YO-YO (Antonio) Location-Location-Location; you can reserve your seat in Cooperstown, Ohio.
Just to enhance this article, please never forget that you MUST be capable of "thinking" and out-thinking your opponent.Simply put, baseball is a thinking-man's game. So, all you youngsters that's reading and consuming this article, please don't forget to go to class, sit on the front row with your necessary tools and get what is being offered by the instructors.The colleges/universities and of course MLB don't want any DUMMIES.
signed - Pops-
Being able to hit different spots is the key, but the biggest Key of all is "Attitude" or Balls! When a pitcher has the confidence to throw any pitch at any time in the count you have a fearless Pitcher! On top of that dont have a pitcher second guess a sign that was given by his catcher. Being on the same page keeps the pitcher from thinking so much and lets him relax and focus on the plate.
Signed - "The Beast" Reeder
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