Taking the Mound

As a pitcher, you have a 10-inch height advantage on the mound over batters and a 2-foot lateral advantage because of the width of the pitching rubber. Make the most of these advantages by stepping to your dominant side of the rubber before starting your delivery.

 

"Right-handed pitchers should stand near the right edge of the rubber; left-handers should stand toward the left edge."

Step 1  

  • Hands apart 

  • Ball in either your glove or your hand 
  • Walk up to the pitching rubber from behind 

 

Step 2 

  • Stand squarely on the rubber 

  • Face the hitter 
  • Toes hanging over the front of the rubber 
  • Weight evenly balanced 
  • Remain relaxed  

 

 

 

Step 3  

  • Bring your hands together in the glove 

  • Take your pitching grip 
  • The fingers of your glove should be up 
  • Ball buried high in the web 
  • Hide the ball and cover the wrist 

 

 

 

Skills Drills

 

Before-the-pitch drill 

Practice going through the entire before-the-pitch routine on a mound like you would during a game. Start off the mound, get the ball, walk to the mound, take position on the rubber, accept a sign and begin your delivery. This helps you to get acquainted with the rhythm of the game. Doing it exactly the same way each time also prevents the opposing team from getting tipped off.

 

Troubleshooting Tips

 

Weight Distribution 

 

 

If your feet are uncomfortable, you might be standing too far forward on the rubber. Your weight should be distributed on, and behind the rubber, not in front of it.

 

 

Check Out the Mound 

 

 

No two mounds are the same. Take a few moments before each game to see if the mound is flatter or softer than you're used to. Perhaps the pitching rubber is warped or loose. It may take some adjustments to find your comfort zone.

  

READ   "Pitching intangibles"

 

                        


Click the button above to go back to the web page or web site you were at before comming to this page

Click Here to go back to The Home Page of Brookside Little League

 

Copyright © 2000 Brookside Little League, Inc. All rights reserved

This site is awarded the

In recognition of creativity, integrity and excellence on the Web.
The term "Little League" and the Little League logo are trademarks of Little League Baseball, Inc., Williamsport, Pa., extended only to local chartered leagues for purposes of  identification and publicity

Copyright © 2000 Brookside Little League, Inc. All rights reserved

Brookside Little League, Inc.

 
 

Thank you ,  for visiting  Brookside's Little Legue Web Site


by
Jon Anderson
jontanderson@juno.com