Monday, December 28, 2015

Pitching Strategies to Set Up Hitters


STRATEGIES TO SET UP HITTERS 
by Steve Ellis former Major League Pitcher


In fact, there are a lot of different factors that need to be considered in order to effectively create doubt in a hitter's mind.
For example:
  • If you have a good secondary pitch like a slider or curveball, you can start good hitters off with it.
  • Or if a team is taking fastballs early in the count, get a strike on them right away.
  • Or if you fall behind in the count 1-0 or 2-0, throw an off-speed pitch and try get a strike or ground ball.
The most important thing is this:
Don't be predictable.
If you always start every hitter off with a fastball or throw two knuckle curves in a row when ahead in the count, you're just asking for trouble...
Good hitters will notice the sequencing of pitches and adjust.
That's why it's so important to mix up speeds, mix up location and pitch smart so you're not too predictable...
...every pitch counts!
Every pitch counts image

Developing a plan based on a pitcher's strengths

Every pitcher should go into a game with a solid plan for how he will pitch based on the strengths of his arsenal coupled with information about the other team.
Too often in high school and little league, a pitcher will try to beat his opponent by relying solely on exposing the hitter's weakness, even if that goes against the strength of his arsenal.
"This plan may have short-term value for the first time through the batting order or perhaps the second, but in the long term, this strategy does not usually yield consistent results," says Derek Johnson, minor league pitching coordinator for the Chicago Cubs.
"A pitcher who stays true to what makes him effective in the first place—whether it be throwing a fastball to a certain side of the plate or using off-speed pitches that he owns rather than rents—will have more success," Johnson added.
A pitcher must also remember that at the beginning of the game, hitters are rarely truly ready to hit, so this is another good reason why a pitcher should use his strengths the first time through the batting order.
Let's take a closer look at other baseball strategies for pitching.
Here are 18 of my favorite baseball pitching strategies for setting up hitters and developing a game plan that you can put in your back pocket to become a more effective pitcher:
  1. When ahead in the count pitch inside.

    The batter is more protective and probably will wait longer with an inside-out swing.
  2. When behind in the count, pitch on the outside 1/3 of the plate.

    The hitter will usually try to muscle up and pull the ball more.
  3. On an 0-2 count to a good hitter, pitch him on the low-outside corner.
  4. If you don't throw hard, don’t pitch inside often for strikes.
  5. After throwing a strike, don’t repeat the same pitch in the same location. The hitter has just seen that one.
  6. After a ball, it’s OK to repeat the same general location for a strike.
  7. Change speeds on the best hitters - big swingers.
  8. Don’t change up on weak hitters, do them no favors!
  9. Except for the big swingers, don’t change up with 2 strikes on a hitter.
  10. Know the game situation and the importance of each runner on base.
  11. Know your best pitch and use it when you’re in trouble.
  12. Win the 1-1 count. No other count is as big of a game changer as the difference between 2-1 and 1-2.
  13. Stretch the strike zone or pitch to pressure zones. Pressure zones refer to the areas just outside the strike zone.
  14. Pressure zones image
    Image source: Human Kinetics
  15. Stay on the black.

    Even though the pitches that the Braves pitchers were throwing on the corner were not over the plate, they had earned those strikes. They did this by consistently putting their pitches around the area on the corner, and over time, umpires began to call this for a strike. This idea of stretching the strike zone can't work if a pitcher is erratic with his location.
  16. Work your way off.

    Once a pitcher establishes that he can show good location on the outer edge of the plate, it allows him to begin working his pitches further and further off of the plate. Too help his pitchers do this, long time Braves catcher Javy Lopez would often set up 2-3 inches off the plate, and have his pitchers hit his glove until he felt an umpire wouldn't give him that strike.
  17. Know the location of the umpire.

    Umpires can set up before pitches in two locations: 1) Behind the catcher on whatever side of the plate he sets up, and 2) In one stationary position regardless of where the catcher sets up. The second choice can turn into a advantage for pitchers. This is because umpires can sometimes have a poor view of pitches that are throw to the opposite location of where they set up. Pitchers need to be aware of this and see if a trend forms, so that they can take advantage of it.
  18. Note the hitter's position in the order.

    The spot in the order that a batter hits in has long been established to have certain roles. The 1-2 hitters are usually speedy hitters looking to put the ball in play, the 3-5 hitters are typically the strongest hitters in the line-up, and the rest tend to be lesser hitters. A manager is forced to give this information about his players to the opposing team when he turns in his line-up card – use this information to your advantage. For instance, when the pitcher is facing the 7-9 hitters, the pitcher should go right after them and challenge them with strikes. After all, even the opposing manager is telling you they're his worst hitters.
  19. Watch batting practice.

    Showing up to watch batting practice is the best way to see a hitter's natural swing. Once the game starts, you might only see several swings out of a hitter, so seeing batting practice is crucial. Some examples of points to watch are if the hitter's swing is long, are they strictly trying to pull pitches, and are they landing in a balanced position. This information can later be translated into what types of pitches to throw them and where.
  20. Look at a hitter's statistics.

    Hitter's stats are usually available at the high school level, so it's important to take advantage of this. Three immediate stats to look at are who has power (HR's), who is fast (SB's), and who is patient at the plate (BB's). A point of caution, however, is not to get tied up in the percentage based statistics such as AVG and OBP. While these stats are usually very useful at the major league level, they can be deceptive in the lower levels because of how the sample sizes are considerably smaller. This can create the perception that a hitter is doing very well, when in fact they are only a few hits away from having a bad year percentage wise.
  21. Watch at-bats.

    Once you've looked at a hitter's stats, batting practice, and where they are in the line-up, it's time to actually watch the game.
  22. Baseball field dimensions image
  23. How deep are the outfield walls?

    If there's a short porch to any field, you may not challenge hitters to hit it to that part of the field. Challenge hitters to go to the deepest parts of the park if they can. Most of the time they can't and your outfielders will catch their fly balls.
  24. How much foul ground territory is there?

    The more foul territory there is the more room for fielders to catch foul fly balls.
  25. How far is the backstop from the plate?

    If the backstop is not far from the catcher and the plate, you can be more aggressive with your pitches. If the ball gets past the catcher he doesn't have far to go to retrieve it. Runners are less likely to be aggressive on pass balls and wild pitches if there is room for the ball to get away. If the backstop is a long way, you will be more careful not to lose control of breaking pitches. You'll also communicate with your catcher about making sure he blocks everything in the dirt.
  26. Which way is the wind blowing?

    Always check the wind. If it's blowing out, you know to be extra careful in keeping the ball down. If it's blowing in, you can be more aggressive in challenging weaker hitters with fastballs.
  27. What's the slope of the mound?

    If you can hardly tell there is a pitching mound because it's so low, be prepared for a flatter trajectory of your fastball. If the mound looks like it angles straight down, be prepared to increase the tempo of your hands during the delivery and be aware of the need to stay back a little longer.
  28. How does the bullpen mound compare to the game mound?

    If the bullpen mound is steep and the game mound is flat, you need to be prepared for that before the game starts. You don't want to be surprised when you go out for the first pitch and let that affect your mental state.
  29. What's the playing surface like?

    Check out the infield and outfield grass. If the infield grass is really short, then you know ground balls will get to the outfield quicker and balls hit in the gaps will probably get to the fence. If the infield grass is really high, then you know it will slow the ball down considerably. This means infielders will have to get rid of the ball quicker when fielding ground balls hit by faster runners. But it also means the more ground balls you throw the better chance your fielders have of fielding them and getting outs.
  30. Does the hitter stand in the front or back of the batter's box?

    Look and see where the hitter's batting stance is in the box. The chances are that he stands in the back of the box generally to have more time to see the fastball. If he's in the back of the box, a good curveball will be tough for him to hit. If he sets up in the front of the batters box, consider using your fastball. The closer he is to you, the less time he has to react to your fastball. Also remember hitters that struggle with breaking pitches tend to scoot closer to the pitcher to hit the pitch before it has time to fully break. So you can also use the breaking pitch effectively to this hitter as well.
  31. Does the hitter setup his batting stance a considerable distance away from the plate?

    Stay away from hitters who setup away from the plate and who don't dive in to the outside pitch. These hitters want to get their hands extended and they typically can't get around on inside fastballs, which is why they setup off the plate.
  32. Does the hitter crowd the plate?

    This hitter can be one of two things: a weak hitter who wants to get hit and get on base; or he can be a good fastball hitter who wants you to challenge him. Either way, you must develop the skill of pitching inside. Also, breaking balls and located fastballs are in order for the good hitter who crowds the plate.
  33. Does the hitter have an open stance?

    This indicates the hitter probably wants the ball inside. He has a better chance of getting to this pitch if his hips are already pre-set to be open. Pitch this batter away until he proves he can hit the ball to the opposite field. His swing path is not setup to take the ball the other way which will cause him to miss hit and roll-over pitches for weak ground balls and easy outs.
  34. Does the hitter have a closed stance?

    This type of hitter generally likes to go the other way and overall wants to make contact. A closed stance is a great opportunity to establish the inside part of the plate. Closing the stance creates a significant hole in the swing and makes it very difficult to hit the inside pitch. A moving two-seam fastball would be an excellent for this hitter until he proves he can handle it.
  35. Does the hitter crouch down or have a low stance?

    This type of hitter is typically not a power guy and is most interested in a short swing that produces contact. This hitter still has two options: He can try to pull the ball, like most hitters do. Or he can try to go the other way predominantly. Most hitters now are training themselves to go the opposite way and therefore will gear their swings only to go that way. Bust those hitters in. If a hitter stays low in his stance and still tries to pull the ball, keep your pitches away from him and up in the zone.
  36. Does the hitter have a straight up normal stance?

    The hitters who have normal stance without much excessive movement typically are your better hitters. They don't give away clues as to what pitches they struggle with. Although these hitters may be harder to read in the box by their stance there are other ways to get an idea of their abilities. For instance: Where does he hit in the lineup? What are his stats? Where did other pitchers on my team pitch him in the past? What body type does he have? If he's short and stocky, he can probably handle the low pitch. If he's left handed and strong, I might not start him off with pitches low and inside. When all else fails, start the hitter off with either a fastball away or a fastball in and see how he handles it. Then gather as much info from that swing as you can.
  37. Does the pitcher have a long, slow swing?

    Most hitters will struggle keeping their hands inside the baseball when hitting. That means that the hitter's hands go away from his body during his swing. This provides a great opportunity to throw fastballs inside and establish your presence there. Even if a hitter has quick hands, if the path of his bat ends up going around the ball, he cannot handle the inside fastball well. If contact is made, it will likely result in a foul ball.
  38. Only throw a set-up pitch with two strikes

    The set-up pitch is meant to set the hitter up for the knockout pitch. At one strike, you've still got some more work to do.
  39. Never throw a set-up pitch with 2 balls

    0-2 or 1-2 are OK counts to use the set-up pitch. If you do a set-up pitch with 2 balls and the hitter doesn't bite, you're stuck with a full count and the pressure on a hitter is put back on the pitcher.
  40. Waste pitches image
    Image source: Blake Murphy
  41. And lastly... Don't waste pitches.

    I am not a believer in wasting any pitches. I am a believer in making the hitter swing at bad pitches because the pitcher is ahead in the count. And that's obviously the key to successful pitching. Stay ahead in the count and get the first hitter in each inning. If you can do those two things you will be successful.

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Million Dollar Player

Want to become a multi-millionaire? Be a professional baseball player, particularly a pitcher! Obviously not an easy thing to do. It not only takes talent, desire, determination but more effort and sacrifice than most players are willing to apply! However, check this Contract that David Price just signed with the Boston Redsox: $217,000,0000 for 7 years - yes million; $31,000,000 per year - yes million; $968,750 per start; $142,857 per inning; $9,204 per pitch; $59.00 per minute; $0.98 per second! Not a bad pay check!

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Pitch Calling

Breaking down hitters for pitch calling 16 February 2011 By Derek Johnson Chicago Cubs Minor League Pitching Coordinator Former Associate Head Coach, Vanderbilt University Pitch calling is definitely an art more than science. It is based on many factors which I will attempt to get to in a minute, but first and foremost calling the right pitch is about feel of the umpire, pitcher, situation of the game, who is hitting, and who might be hitting behind the current hitter. It is about the rhythm of the game, taking chances, guts, guile, and the right mentality. The first place to start is knowing the pitcher and what his strengths and weaknesses may be. From here, a basic plan is implemented on how the pitcher will attack a left-handed hitter and a right-handed hitter. This can include the basic pitches that the pitcher will throw, and possibly the type of count he may throw them in. For example, the right-handed pitcher might backdoor his breaking ball when he is behind in the count to a left-handed hitter, while he may sweep and expand the breaking ball when ahead – important that these nuances are distinguished for catcher, pitcher and coach. It is important to know that this plan can and will change during the course of the year or perhaps game to game. It is up to the pitcher, catcher, and coach to decide what part of the plan is working during an outing and then have the wherewithal to make adjustments. Once the plan is established, efforts toward the hitter can be addressed. Breaking down the hitter, in my opinion, is based upon three factors: Where he hits in the order, what type of swing/hitter he might be, and what swing mechanics will give clues as to how to get him out. Where the hitter hits in the order is an early indication of what is expected of him to generate team offense. Hitters 1-2 are generally speed guys who make contact, 3-4-5-6 are run producers, and 7-9 hitters are generally defensive players or bat handlers that may or may not be able to run. From here, general observation from batting practice, film, or even the first time through the order in the game will indicate what type of hitter we are dealing with. Pull contact, spray contact, pull with pop, spray with pop might be a way to classify hitters. Use whatever system you think fits with your everyday language. If the pitcher and catcher know this hitter is classified as a pull hitter, it should become obvious that expanding the ball away and in can either make the hitter jam himself or “run out of bat” I’d say that a majority of college and high school hitters fall into this category as many have ‘around the ball” or hook/pull swings. So if the hitter is a pull hitter, I know that I can most likely get the hitter out with a ball that is outside and occasionally inside(jam). A spray type hitter generally is able to handle both sides of the plate fairly well. In this case, it becomes the pitcher’s job to use both sides of the plate AND change speeds so that rhythm is disrupted. From here, mechanical parts of the swing can be addressed. First order for us is to check the stride. Many hitters now use an open stance (furthering the notion of becoming pull oriented) and many stride open instead of even. If that is the case, the outside pitch can be beneficial. If the hitter is ultra aggressive, he may “double tap” and dive into the plate, which will expose the hitter to being jammed. I also know that the ultra aggressive hitter has a tendency to drift to the front side, using momentum to hit into the baseball. This type of hitter is a “speed up, slow down” type of hitter where we want to further help draw the hitter forward and backwards with speed changes. A barred front arm upon launch of the swing usually means a long, around the ball swing in which if our guy on the mound has decent velocity, we can usually jam this type of hitter. If a hitter crouches, he generally has to stand up to hit, which puts him in a position where he works against the ball going down (especially curveball and slider) and will chase the up ball. A tall hitter will have to tilt his barrel substantially to get to the low pitch, so sink and speed changes down are favorable. A hitter that fires his front hip early or pulls the front shoulder is an “out” away. In game adjustments can be as simple or as complex you want to make it, but when defining what pitch to throw the question of is the hitter “on” the pitch or not is crucial. If he hitter is on the last pitch, we have three options: 1. Same pitch, different side of the plate 2. Same pitch, different speed 3. Different pitch. Determining whether the hitter is “on” is not easy. Body language of a take or a swing and a miss, the way they swung, direction of the batted ball, timing of the swing, and the count must all be calculated. For example, the hitter takes and then argues a borderline but obvious strike – I’m guessing he didn’t really see it, and I’m throwing it again. Ball fouled straight back – I’m going with one of our three choices. Putting all of these factors together is not easy, but it can be trained and becomes easier in time. Always remember – the “wrong” pitch thrown with heart is much better than the “right” pitch without heart!

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Complete Guide To Pitching

There is more to becoming a great pitcher than sound mechanics, a blazing fastball, and a live arm. A pitcher must know how to pitch—what to throw, when to throw it, and where to locate it. He must have a me-versus-you mind-set, that unique blend of confidence and determination that fuels a passion to set the tone of the game, own the mound, and shut down the opponent. The Complete Guide to Pitching is the most comprehensive pitching resource available. Derek Johnson, one of the game’s premier pitching coaches, takes you inside the art and science of pitching. You’ll discover these strategies: • Upper- and lower-body pitching mechanics • Most effective arm and shoulder strengthening workouts

Pitching - The Sinker

Pitching - The Sinker By: Derek Johnson Originally Published by - Human Kinetics - The Complete Guide to Pitching The sinking fastball is becoming one of the more prevalent pitches in the game. The function of the sinker is generally to run or tail and sink toward the arm side of the pitcher. Like the cutter, the sinking fastball will promote weaker contact and more swings and misses by the hitter because of the late action on the pitch. The sinker is usually a bit easier to master than the cutter because the pitcher uses the natural pronation of his arm to create the spin on the ball. With the cutter, the pitcher applies force to the area just outside the middle of the ball to create sidespin. In the case of the sinker, however, the pitcher will apply the force to just inside the middle of the ball, creating the opposite spin. Some pitchers, because of arm slot and timing of the delivery, naturally create run and sink on the ball, as evidenced in many throwers with low three-quarter slots. Also note that a two-seam fastball will often create the desired effect of a sinker without any further effort by the pitcher. Figure 5.8 Sinker grip: first two fingers closer together. For our purposes, the sinker will be thrown with one of the three two-seam grips that were discussed earlier. The pitcher should first experiment with the grip he finds comfortable to see if sinking action occurs by simply throwing the ball normally. If the ball does not sink, the pitcher should try placing his middle finger just inside the middle of the ball. The first two fingers may be moved closer together, and the thumb will again start in the middle of the ball (see figure 5.8). As coach and pitcher observe the shape of this pitch, they can determine any further adjustments that the pitcher needs to make. Again, the determining factor for any pitch in the pitcher's arsenal is what the hitter sees or does not see. If late-breaking action occurs on the sinker, interrupted or mistimed swings are bound to occur.

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Weight Baseball Workout

Boost Your Fastball With This Weighted Baseball Workout By: Bill Bethea Some of you may have heard about the underload/overload concept for baseball pitcher velocity training. The idea is to use overload baseballs (6 ounces, 7 ounces, etc.) in combination with underload baseballs (4 ounces, 3 ounces, etc.) to improve your pitching velocity. Overload balls build strength and underload balls increase speed. In 1997, I incorporated 4-ounce balls into my throwing program. I threw them a lot, but I had no real rhyme or reason or program. I personally felt they worked, but that was just my opinion. I did gain velocity, but I wasn't sure if the underload training was directly responsible, or my results were a product of the whole workout regimen I was doing. In 2003, theories began popping up that using the underload and overload concept might have some practicality. But there was still a lack of knowledge about how to program this style of training to maximize results and limit stress to the shoulder and elbow. Since then, we have done extensive research with our athletes and found a system that produces great outcomes. We assessed a protocol of throwing 12-, 9-, 5-, 4- and 2-ounce balls, 5 to 10 times each. This order worked well, but it seemed to be effective only for pitchers who lacked strength. Weaker athletes gained velocity, while those who had a base of strength seemed to actually lose velocity. However, the athletes who lost velocity gained it back when lighter balls were introduced to the program. We know that heavier balls recruit more muscle (but with slower arm speeds), and that lighter balls recruit less muscle, making them more dangerous to throw. To gain the benefits of both, it's best to take a hybrid, conservative approach such as detailed in the program below. Weighted Baseball Workout • Throw 4-, 5- and 6-ounce balls 10 times each, twice per week for two weeks. Throw the balls into a screen 15 feet away so the balls don't affect your release point. • Make your throws nice and easy to simply get your arm in shape. • For another two weeks, repeat this program but add more effort to your throws. • For a final week or two, reverse the order, moving from heaviest to the lightest. • At this point, you should measure your results with a radar gun to determine how much effort you're putting into your throws. You will not gain velocity by lobbing a baseball. • Repeat this sequence for 10 to 12 weeks, then switch back to your regular throwing program. If you are new to throwing weighted balls, proceed with caution. Gradually easing into it will ensure results without damaging your shoulder. Do this type of program only in the off-season so you don't fatigue your arm. Once you have experience with this type of training, you can determine if you respond better to lighter heavier balls. Velocity training for pitchers is not easy, and it is very individualized. There is some trial and error involved.

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Monday, October 26, 2015

The Complete Guide To Pitching


There is more to becoming a great pitcher than sound mechanics, a blazing fastball, and a live arm. A pitcher must know how to pitch—what to throw, when to throw it, and where to locate it. He must have a me-versus-you mind-set, that unique blend of confidence and determination that fuels a passion to set the tone of the game, own the mound, and shut down the opponent.
The Complete Guide to Pitching is the most comprehensive pitching resource available. Derek Johnson, one of the game’s premier pitching coaches, takes you inside the art and science of pitching. You’ll discover these strategies:
• Upper- and lower-body pitching mechanics
• Most effective arm and shoulder strengthening workouts

Winning Baseball





Veteran coach Trent Mongero's Winning Baseball for Intermediate to College Level covers everything from advanced mechanics for infield, outfield, pitcher, and catcher play to hitting mechanics and mental toughness strategies. Complete with insider tips for college and MLB prospects, over 100 photographs, and a four-hour instructional DVD, this is the ultimate, one-stop baseball reference.

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Complete Guide to Pitching

There is more to becoming a great pitcher than sound mechanics, a blazing fastball, and a live arm. A pitcher must know how to pitch—what to throw, when to throw it, and where to locate it. He must have a me-versus-you mind-set, that unique blend of confidence and determination that fuels a passion to set the tone of the game, own the mound, and shut down the opponent. The Complete Guide to Pitching is the most comprehensive pitching resource available. Derek Johnson, one of the game’s premier pitching coaches, takes you inside the art and science of pitching. You’ll discover these strategies:





Pitch Calling

Breaking down hitters for pitch calling 16 February 2011 By Derek Johnson Chicago Cubs Minor League Pitching Coordinator Former Associate Head Coach, Vanderbilt University

 Pitch calling is definitely an art more than science.  It is based on many factors which I will attempt to get to in a minute, but first and foremost calling the right pitch is about feel of the umpire, pitcher, situation of the game, who is hitting, and who might be hitting behind the current hitter.  It is about the rhythm of the game, taking chances, guts, guile, and the right mentality.

The first place to start is knowing the pitcher and what his strengths and weaknesses may be.  From here, a basic plan is implemented on how the pitcher will attack a left-handed hitter and a right-handed hitter.  This can include the basic pitches that the pitcher will throw, and possibly the type of count he may throw them in. For example, the right-handed pitcher might backdoor his breaking ball when he is behind in the count to a left-handed hitter, while he may sweep and expand the breaking ball when ahead – important that these nuances are distinguished for catcher, pitcher and coach.  It is important to know that this plan can and will change during the course of the year or perhaps game to game.  It is up to the pitcher, catcher, and coach to decide what part of the plan is working during an outing and then have the wherewithal to make adjustments.

 Once the plan is established, efforts toward the hitter can be addressed. Breaking down the hitter, in my opinion, is based upon three factors: Where he hits in the order, what type of swing/hitter he might be, and what swing mechanics will give clues as to how to get him out. Where the hitter hits in the order is an early indication of what is expected of him to generate team offense.  Hitters 1-2 are generally speed guys who make contact, 3-4-5-6 are run producers, and 7-9 hitters are generally defensive players or bat handlers that may or may not be able to run.  From here, general observation from batting practice, film, or even the first time through the order in the game will indicate what type of hitter we are dealing with.  Pull contact, spray contact, pull with pop, spray with pop might be a way to classify hitters.

 Use whatever system you think fits with your everyday language. If the pitcher and catcher know this hitter is classified as a pull hitter, it should become obvious that expanding the ball away and in can either make the hitter jam himself or “run out of bat” I’d say that a majority of college and high school hitters fall into this category as many have ‘around the ball” or hook/pull swings.  So if the hitter is a pull hitter, I know that I can most likely get the hitter out with a ball that is outside and occasionally inside(jam).  A spray type hitter generally is able to handle both sides of the plate fairly well.  In this case, it becomes the pitcher’s job to use both sides of the plate AND change speeds so that rhythm is disrupted. From here, mechanical parts of the swing can be addressed.  First order for us is to check the stride.  Many hitters now use an open stance (furthering the notion of becoming pull oriented) and many stride open instead of even.  If that is the case, the outside pitch can be beneficial.  If the hitter is ultra aggressive, he may “double tap” and dive into the plate, which will expose the hitter to being jammed.  I also know that the ultra aggressive hitter has a tendency to drift to the front side, using momentum to hit into the baseball.  This type of hitter is a “speed up, slow down” type of hitter where we want to further help draw the hitter forward and backwards with speed changes. A barred front arm upon launch of the swing usually means a long, around the ball swing in which if our guy on the mound has decent velocity, we can usually jam this type of hitter.  If a hitter crouches, he generally has to stand up to hit, which puts him in a position where he works against the ball going down (especially curveball and slider) and will chase the up ball.  A tall hitter will have to tilt his barrel substantially to get to the low pitch, so sink and speed changes down are favorable.  A hitter that fires his front hip early or pulls the front shoulder is an “out” away. In game adjustments can be as simple or as complex you want to make it, but when defining what pitch to throw the question of is the hitter “on” the pitch or not is crucial.  If he hitter is on the last pitch, we have three options:  Same pitch, different side of the plate Same pitch, different speed Different pitch.

Determining whether the hitter is “on” is not easy.  Body language of a take or a swing and a miss, the way they swung, direction of the batted ball, timing of the swing, and the count must all be calculated.  For example, the hitter takes and then argues a borderline but obvious strike – I’m guessing he didn’t really see it, and I’m throwing it again.  Ball fouled straight back – I’m going with one of our three choices. Putting all of these factors together is not easy, but it can be trained and becomes easier in time.  Always remember – the “wrong” pitch thrown with heart is much better than the “right” pitch without heart!

Medicine Ball Exercise Tutorial - Throw Faster, Farther and Injury Free





An awesome arm strengthening & throwing drill!drill

Throwing the Ball Harder



 Two more drills to build scaps.

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Resistance Bands

The Bodylastics Max Tension Resistance Bands Set is a great mid level system. This stackable kit provides up to 96 lbs of resistance, which will challenge most individuals in the most demanding fitness programs.










Baseball Arm Exercises

Shoulder Strengthening Exercises for Pitchers : Exercises for Athletes

Monday, September 7, 2015

Fast Ball Fitness

Fastball Fitness presents an in-depth but easy-to-apply look at velocity and how it can be safely developed. Details how to condition the total body to maximize a pitcher's genetic potential. Topics covered include rotational and directional momentum, timing, and fastball velocity, the biomechanical derivation of real velocity, how the legs, hips & shoulders, and spine & torso contribute to the mechanics of real velocity,

Kluber strikes out 18 Cardinals

Friday, August 28, 2015

Pitching - 7 Exercises

Teaching vs Coaching

Teaching vs Coaching By: Marty Berson Is there a difference between a teacher and a coach? The differentiation between the two is that the teacher not only instructs how to execute a play or technique but explains the methodology that is the basis for the instruction. The coach instructs how he wants a play or a technique executed without an explanation of the whys or wherefores. Teachers want their athletes to be conceptual, instinctive and reactive; coaches want their athletes to be responsive to commands. Coaches demand respect whereas teachers strive to gain respect on a daily basis. Teachers are far less controlling in allowing their athletes to make decisions based on acquired repetitive instruction. Coaches demand control of everything. How does a pitcher ever learn how to pitch or a catcher learn how to call a game if the coach calls every pitch? A teacher instructs his pitchers and catchers how to attack the various hitting types with pitches or location best suited for getting them out. Once learned the teacher allows the battery mates to call the game. Giving up control is very difficult for coaches. Whereas teachers are constantly striving for their athletes to take control and not be so dependent on them. Coaches are fearful of second guessing. Teachers understand that second guessing comes with the territory of allowing their athletes to make decisions. Coaches are conservative in nature allowing games to be won or lost by the team's ability to hit or not hit. If a team loses they have a built in excuse, the team just didn't hit. Again this stems from fearing being second guessed. Teachers knowing how hard the game is do not rely on hits to win games. Good teachers know when and how to manufacturing runs when the team is not hitting. Coaches win when they have the horses, teachers win with or without the horses. Teachers believe strongly in their philosophy and methodology that has been result tested. They only change to improve or strengthen an established skill or concept. Coaches change philosophies of their beliefs at the drop of a hat. A teacher knows how to motivate his athletes individually and as a team. Teachers are approachable and have an open communication to and with their athletes. Coaches want a buffer zone. Teachers are constantly striving to positively motivate their athletes. Coaches are less approachable and although an effective motivating factor at times, fear is their prime motivator. Teachers understand the impact and influence that their words and actions can have both positively and negatively long term on their athletes. Coaches are only result oriented by their obsession with wins and losses. Teachers are about building relationships. Coaches are about building resumes. Teachers know that the team belongs to the players. They also understand that it is a privilege to teach. Coaches think that it's their team and their right to coach. Our whole approach to teaching is centered on making each member of the team better than he was yesterday. We constantly work to upgrade the performance levels of each of our athletes. Success is based on our ability to communicate; to get our athletes to accept our concepts, techniques and designs and perform them in a consistent manner as taught. These are the teaching principles, techniques and methodology used to motivate and inspire our athletes. First a good teacher must believe that every individual is equally important to the program and have the ability to sincerely make them feel that way. Otherwise why even have these individuals on the team? Everyone must be made aware of the importance of accountability in respect to every team member's responsibilities to the team. Everyone must know how to bunt, run the bases, defensive and offensive schemes, signs and all other nuances that they may be called upon to execute in the heat of battle. Also, without a strong bench the starters have no one to push them to reach their full potential. Teachers come to the field with a daily goal of gaining more and more respect and confidence from their players. Their mode of operation is inspiration and praise over tearing down or berating. Mutual respect between a teacher and his athletes is the real key to discipline. Teachers are not disciplinarians rather the purveyors of self-discipline in their athletes. All the rules in the world will not work without it nor will fear or punishment. Mutual respect is the byproduct of hard work and meaningful communication. In matters of discipline when needed, teachers must always be firm, fair and above all consistent. Discipline and morale are interdependent and without the establishment of a consistent disciplinary policy there will be no morale. Developing the aforementioned respect toward teachers, teammates and the opponent will foster the establishment of a disciplined individual far more than fear or punishment. The human being is a very complex entity and no one yet has come up with a standard by which all humans may be judged. It is essential that a teacher inspire learning in every athlete. He works very hard to create within his athletes the desire to perform as they have been instructed and at times take it to another level. The best teachers are those that come to work every day with unbridled enthusiasm. That enthusiasm is infectious and permeates a conducive environment for learning that is both fun and productive. In conclusion as one can see there are many differences between teaching and coaching and that there are too few teachers and far too many coaches.

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Complete Guide To Pitching



The Complete Guide to Pitching is the most comprehensive pitching resource available. Derek Johnson, one of the game’s premier pitching coaches, takes you inside the art and science of pitching. You’ll discover these strategies:
• Upper- and lower-body pitching mechanics
• Most effective arm and shoulder strengthening workouts