There are 2 Essentials of Pitching: Being Mentally Tough and Mechanically sound
Pitching Philosophy
Location, movement, and velocity (in that order) are the essentials of pitching. It is where you throw, not how hard you fast
Never give up – Be mentally tough at all times; the most important pitch is the next one. Never lose focus because one pitch could determine the outcome of a game
You have to want to pitch – Do you want the ball in a tight spot?
Take control on the mound – Always exude confidence
You are always one pitch from getting out of any jam
Make other teams beat you, don’t beat yourself – Limit your walks
The best pitch in baseball is strike one – Throw the 1st pitch for a strike to each batter, never underestimate the importance of getting ahead in the count.
Get the leadoff batter out each inning – 1st man up, 1st man out
Don’t complain about ball and strike calls by the umpire – Adjust to his strike zone, Pitchers have to continually make adjustments on the mound
Change speeds with your pitches
Establish the fastball – Don’t be afraid to throw inside
Keep the change-up down, down, down
When struggling with control, throw for the heart of the plate
Pitchers must field your position
Mechanics
Get body lined up with target and get body moving towards target
Right handers throw from right side of pitching rubber (Lefties from left side)
Position feet at 45 degree angle on rubber – Makes it easier to pivot
Ball in glove with glove at center of chest and slightly away from body
Rock step
Very short step (2-4 inches)
Keep head over pivot foot – Quiet head (Weight does not shift)
Pivot the foot in front and flush with the pitching rubber
Lift leg to balance point
Back leg is slightly bent at the knee for balance and power
Leg is parallel with ground
Toe pointed down (relaxed) and foot is directly under knee
Hands stay quiet
Front shoulder should be pointed at catcher’s glove (Keeps front side closed)
Once to balance point, take “foot to the hole” with leg going down (not out) and separate the hands to Power Position
Glove foot lands on straight line to plate on ball of foot (Foot to the hole)
Front foot remains partially closed
Front leg should be bent – Do not land on a straight leg
Separate hands down, out, and up to Power position as foot goes to the hole
Ball facing away from you (Towards second base)
Elbow even or above shoulder (High five to Randy Johnson)
As pitcher begins to rotate, head and chest move towards target
Glove ends up in arm pit
Get as much extension through the catcher as possible
Release point should be in front of the head
Follow through with throwing hand to glove side (Hand in opposite back pocket)
Back should be flat
Back leg and foot comes up and over so that foot is higher than hip
End with feet parallel facing home plate in good fielding position
Drills – Non Throwing
Mirror Drill
Break delivery down in parts – go step by step
Big Purpose is to check mechanics to develop muscle memory
Balance Drill
Against fence or wall, get to balance point and freeze
You must get to balance point before moving to plate
Purpose is to avoid rushing to the plate DRILLS
Down, Out, and Up Drill
Up against wall or fence, separate hands down, out, and up to Power Position
Purpose is to make sure you get to Power Position EVERY time
Makes sure you don’t get rotational as you separate your hands
Hands will hit fence if you get rotational
Drills – Throwing
Rotation Drill
Face partner and spread feet out wider than shoulders
Rotate upper body and separate to Power Position
Front elbow, front shoulder, back elbow, and ball should be in straight line
Purpose is to get to good Power Position and feel rotation with upper body
Stand Up Drill
Start with hands in center of body and feet already spread out (foot to the hole)
Rock forward, rock back and separate hands to Power Position (Feet do not move)
Follow through to glove side but backside does not come through
Back foot rolls over working on releasing hips
Back should finish flat
Purpose is to stay on balance and to not rush to the plate
Power Position Drill
Start in Power Position and follow through to glove side and get backside through
Purpose is to reinforce the Power Position and get the entire backside through
Focuses on the finish
Balance Point Drill
Lift leg to balance point and hold for 3 seconds
Deliver pitch as normal
Purpose is to get to balance point and not rush to the plate
