•Pitching is the most strenuous of motions in sports.
•Pitchers must be properly warmed up before taking themound in practice or in games.
•Location, Location, Location
•The most effective pitch is a well located fastball.
•The second most effective pitch is a change up.
•Don’t start kids throwing curveballs too early.
Pitcher’s will feel better whenproperly warmed beforethrowing on the mound.
•Younger Kids: make surethat they warm up beforethe game.
•If they can get somethrowing to a catcher onthe side, use that time toloosen up more.
•2 to 4 poles (sweaty beforethrow off mound)
•Cal: loosen up back andlegs, stretch arm
•On Field: warm up catch withcatcher.
–Most work to 75’
–Slight Long Toss to ~120’
•Form throw in BP frontmound
•Throw from mound
–Should be ready to go whenleaving the bullpen
•Feet about shoulder widthapart
•Begin with arms together andhand on ball
•GS leg kicks up: Make sureeyes on target
–Doesn’t have to be a “balance”point
•At top of leg kick, TS footbegins to push body towardshome plate
•When leg begins downward,start to break the hands
GS: Glove Side
TS: Throwing Side
•Keep pushing GS to platewith front foot closed
•GS leg should come downthen towards the plate
•Throwing hand should loopbehind TS hip to preventbatter from seeing the ball
•When getting close toplanting the GS foot, rotatethe foot to directly at thetarget.
–This movement opens the hips
•Continuing down the mound,arm stays hidden behind theTS hip
•Plant GS foot and bring TS armabove shoulder.
–Try to have players arm less than90 deg.
–Show the ball to 3B (RH) or 1B(LH)
•Rotate the hips before rotatingthe shoulder
•Concentrate on keeping yourchest over your knee
•Don’t lock the front knee, butkeep it firm
•Relaxed position with both feetperpendicular to the rubber
• initial step with the GH foot.
•Rotate TH foot to parallel with rubber
•GH Leg rises and hands still together
•The rest of the motion is like the Stretch
Short
GS: Glove Side
TS: Throwing Side
•Leg Kick out of Stretch is Easy to Run On
•Vary a leg kick with a Slide Step
•Raise the foot only a couple inches andcontinue with same motion to plate.
•Use both the Slide Step and the Leg Kick
•Also, make sure that pitchers do not usethe same timing every time they go to theplate
Right Handers
•Step Off (C)
–Disengage Rubberw/Right foot
•Slow Move (B)
–Step Off and Turn toThrow to 1st Base
•Jump Turn (A)
–Jump Pivot to SnapBall to 1st Base
–Best Move
•3rd/1st: Man on 1 & 3
Left Handers
•Step Back
–Disengage Rubberand Quick Flip to 1st
•Balance then Read
–Leg lift and when atBalance decide to stepto 1st or to home
•“Balk” move
–45 deg. Line
–STEP TO 1st AFTERTHROWING
•Don’t Have to Throw the Ball
–Must Disengage from Rubber
•Inside Move:
–When at balance, bring GS leg across body towardssecond base
•Spin:
–GS leads the turn to second
•Daylight:
–SS/2B flashes glove on the break, use SPIN
•Timing:
–Called before taking the sign
–When SET, pitcher and fielder count “One-one-thousand” and then use a SPIN to throw to 2nd
–Fielder should be arriving JUST BEFORE the ball
•Cover First
–On any grounder to first basemen
–“To the line, up the line”
•Backing up Bases
–When a play is made to 3rd, back up third atthe FENCE
–When a play is made to Home, back up homeat the BACKSTOP
–Don’t Stand in Middle of Diamond
