Pitching Intangibles

Pitching intangibles
Joe McFarland

Coaching Pitchers

Work ahead in the count, just like El Duque.

Strategy intangibles include getting ahead, upsetting hitter rhythms, reducing walks, pitch location and the consequences, and working fast. All of these intangibles are important to the winning pitchers because they can use in their favor not only their pitching but also statistics and psychology.

Working fast

Working fast (taking very little time between pitches) can be very effective and may help pitchers in a number of ways.

Hitters tend to get upset and often are not ready to hit when the pitch is delivered. (Hitters are instructed to repeatedly step out when a pitcher is working fast, to upset the pitcher's pace.)

Pitchers who work fast usually have a better defense behind them. Pitchers who work slowly make their fielders relax, losing their mental or physical readiness to make a play. Fielders are alert and on their toes when playing behind a fastworking pitcher.

Umpires like to call strikes when a fast-working pitcher is throwing. (This reason alone is enough to make a pitcher work fast.)

The faster a pitcher can get his or her team off the field, the sooner they can start scoring runs.

Often a successful pitcher who is working fast has a hypnotic effect on the opposing team. Before they figure out what is going on, it is the eighth or ninth inning.

With a fast-working pitcher, a game can be played in a shorter time.This helps out everyone on the team.

Upsetting a hitter's rhythm

Working fast is very important, but there are times when it is necessary to play games with the batter. When an aggressive hitter steps into the batter's box and it appears as though he or she can't wait to hit, it may be appropriate to step back off the rubber and rub up the ball or talk to the catcher. Many times these "mind games" will make the hitter impatient, angry or both. Of course, an impatient hitter is easier to get out. Hitters will try to shake the pitcher using the same tactics, so learn to ignore these types of "mind games" and concentrate on getting the hitter out.

Getting ahead of the hitter

It is not uncommon to hear a coach holler at a pitcher to "get ahead of the hitter." Obviously this means to throw strikes early in the count so the hitter will have to hit the pitcher's pitch instead of the hitter's pitch. Good hitters generally look for a pitch in a particular zone. Getting ahead of the hitter takes away this option—he or she now has to hit what is given. Hitters basically become defensive when behind in the count.

Conversely, many pitchers are so obsessed with getting ahead in the count that they continually throw fastballs for the first pitch.

Pitchers must not become predictable

Pitchers who repeatedly throw fastballs on the first pitch eventually get hit very hard. Hitters will anticipate the fastball and be prepared to hit it. Of course, a fastball for a strike is better than a breaking ball for a ball.

Pitchers must learn to mix in a breaking ball on the first pitch to keep the hitter honest. Good hitters often take a breaking ball for a strike simply because they are waiting for a fastball. This is a great opportunity to get ahead of the hitter.

A change-up is not a good pitch to throw on the first pitch in most situations, particularly the first time around the order. However, there are times later in the game when it is effective.

Pitch location and hard-hit balls

Pitch location or control is the most important aspect of pitching. The more control a pitcher has, the more easily he or she can exploit hitter weaknesses. All hitters have specific locations that give them trouble, and a pitcher with good control can pinpoint those spots and exploit the hitter. Right-handed hitters generally have more trouble with the low, inside pitch than do left-handers. The opposite is true for outside pitches—right-handers seem to hit the outside pitch harder than lefthanders

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