Pitching

Hi Jake,

Let's see if I can give you a few ideas. First, and foremost, THROW STRIKES & WORK FAST! Nothing hurts a defense more than a pitcher that nibbles at the corners, continually goes to full counts, walks people, works slowly, it puts the defenders on their heels and they lose their mental edge. The most important pitch you can throw is not a curve, or a change-up or even a fastball, it's "Strike One". Develop your fastball above all pitches, throw a 2 seam & a four seam, the four seam being your best pitch (it's the easiest to control, and you'll need it the most when you have to have a strike). Change the positioning of your fingers to offcenter, one way or the other, to make your 2 seam cut or slide. General rule of thumb for a pitcher even in the big leagues is "make your living on the outside corner" Get a hitter to expand his hitting area to 3-6" off the outside corner then late in the count you can catch him leaning and pound a fastball in on his hands for strike three.

In tough situations, TRUST YOUR STUFF, in other words, believe in your ability and use your defense to get the outs, you don't have to strike everybody out, you have help.

There's lots more to learn as you get older if you want to advance, so keep your ears open, and absorb everything you can, and remember YOU'RE NEVER TO OLD TO LEARN.

Good Luck Jake