The Complete Pitcher

The complete pitcher
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A good pitcher is constantly learning.

A good pitcher must:

Have good control and pitch strikes.

Know how to field his position.

Analyze the hitter's strength and weaknesses.

Have confidence.

Keep his body active, especially the legs.

Form good pitching habits.

Concentrate: pick out a spot and throw to it.

Communicate with his catcher. They must understand each other.

Pitch a ball game. Don't just be a thrower.

Above all have command, of pitches and of himself.

Have a clear mind and pitch strikes.

Position on rubber

A right-handed pitcher pitches from the right corner of the rubber, his foot angled slightly to take the sign.

A left-handed pitcher pitches from the left corner of the rubber, his foot angled slightly to take the sign. This is done to allow the pitcher to deliver the ball from behind the hitter and to be more effective with correct balance.

When a right-handed pitcher faces a left-handed hitter, he may want to move a little more toward the center. He should not stand directly in the center because this will cut down on the angle. A left-hander may do the same thing when throwing to a right-handed hitter.

Fielding position

When a pitcher releases the ball he is no longer a pitcher but another infielder and should be alert and ready to make all plays.

On all balls hit to the left of the pitcher, he immediately breaks for the first-base bag. If necessary, he covers first base. If not, he keeps out of play. The pitcher should take all possible bunts and listen to the catcher to determine what base to throw to.

When runners are advancing, make certain when a play is going to be made at either third base or home plate that the pitcher runs halfway between the two bases and then determines what base he must back up as the runners advance and the throw comes in.

Fielding bunts

Break hard going in (shove off back leg and bounce off mound.)

Make sure you see the ball go into your glove before looking at target.

Depending upon the chosen defense with a man on first and second, with a bunt in order:

the pitcher covers the third-base side and the third baseman stays back;

the pitcher covers first-base side and the first baseman covers bag.

Fielding balls bunted down first-base line and throwing to first base

A right-handed pitcher has time, as he does not have to turn as a left-hander does. Get to the ball quickly and make a good, firm throw to the first baseman on the inside of the bag.

A left-handed pitcher must pivot to his right and do a half turn. Be to have something on the throw and keep inside of the diamond so that sure the throw will not hit the runner in his back.

Fielding ball bunted straight at pitcher and throwing to first base

Field the ball, then bring the ball and glove together. Take a short crow hop and throw with something on it.

Fielding ball bunted down third base line and throwing to first base

A right-handed pitcher goes to his right side, plants his right foot and comes up throwing.

A left-handed pitcher fields the ball in his glove, pivots to his right on a half turn while fielding the ball and comes up throwing in two counts.

Fielding bunts and throwing to second base

Know who is covering and listen for the catcher to call the play.

Make sure your body is controlled. Don't throw off-balance.

A right-handed pitcher, on a ball bunted to his left: fields the ball, plants his right foot and makes a half pivot, directs his front shoulder to second and throws with something on it.

A right-handed pitcher on a ball bunted to his right: fields ball, does a complete pivot throwing off right leg and makes sure to have something on the throw.

A left-handed pitcher on a ball bunted to his left: fields the ball, does a half pivot, planting his left foot, then throws with something on it—all in one motion.

A left-handed pitcher, with a ball bunted to his right: fields the ball, plants his left leg, directs his front shoulder to second base and throws to second base with something on it.

Fielding bunts and throwing to third base

A right-handed pitcher when fielding ball to his right: fields ball and does a pivot to his left, directs his front shoulder to third base and throws to third base.

A right-handed pitcher when fielding ball to his left: does a complete turn, plants his back leg and throws in a hurry. (This is a difficult play and usually is made to first base.)

A left-handed pitcher on ball to his left: charges the line, fields the ball, does a half pivot, plants his foot and throws.

A left-handed pitcher on ball to his right: fields ball, directs his front shoulder to third and makes an accurate, firm throw to third.

Remember the third baseman has to catch the throw. Don't handcuff him.

Covering first base

Break hard for the bag, then slow down when approaching it. Take the throw about 5 feet from bag; staying inside and touching the bag with right foot, turn in so that you keep out of the runner's way.

After tagging the bag, turn in toward the diamond so that the runner won't step or run into you.

Also, should there be men on the other bases, turn in to prepare yourself for a throw to third or possibly home. Be alert.

A pitcher should not snatch at the ball. Don't fight it. Be relaxed when fielding this tossed ball. Put your glove up and out in front for a target.

When the first baseman boots a ground ball, go to the bag in the same fashion but when ball is kicked stay at the bag. Do not run by. Put one foot on bag then stretch out when necessary as a first baseman would.

Throwing to second base for double play

Always know who is covering the bag so, as a pitcher, you can lead correctly. Most times it will be the shortstop as he is correcting toward the bag; it's easier for pitcher to throw to him and for him to execute the double play.

The pitcher should lead throw to shortstop.

If the second baseman is covering bag, your throw should be a lead throw.

The pitcher's job is to catch theball, take his time, crow hop and make a good throw for the purpose of forcing the runner at second base. The short stop and second baseman's job is to complete the double play.

Pitchers must:

Try to stay ahead of the hitter.

Have the hitter hit his pitch.

Know his best pitch on given day and use this when in trouble.

Have confidence.

Know his own weaknesses and try to correct them.

Know the outs and score.

Know the importance of the outs and the runners on base; know the tying and winning run.

Know who is covering each base.

Know the speed of his own infielders.

Never show temper and fight umpires. They will only get even.

Keep control of himself when errors are made behind him.

Pick up the target before making a pitch.

Be the boss when on the mound. Be aggressive.

Things to look for when a pitcher is having problems

High with pitches: Pitcher's front shoulder is too high, or he is dropping his arm. He should reach up for higher delivery with his arm.

Low in dirt, later in game: tiredness.

All over/ wild: Lack of concentration. Failure to pick up target. Head flying. Just throwing without a purpose.

Main cause of pitching problems: Pitcher tries to throw too hard and, as a result, then loses composure and correct mechanics of delivering a pitch.

A nice, smooth, rhythmic windup, keeping eyes, head and front shoulder on target will allow any pitcher to have control and be able to throw strikes. Bringing the head to the knee rather than the knee to the head will allow a pitcher to be in the best delivery position. Bringing the knee to the head only causes a pitcher to get in a rared-back position, making him high with pitches; it also causes overthrowing. STRIKES are the name of the pitching game.

The fastball, curve ball and change-up are the only pitches needed to be successful. However, control of these is most important; all should be thrown for strikes.

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