Throw Strikes

Great advice for a pitcher, no matter what age.

Being involved with Youth Baseball, both Travel and Rec, I see a lot of boys going to the mound without the proper instruction and/or development. In the case of Rec, many coaches simply put any boy who can throw a baseball fairly hard on the mound. But pitching is more than just throwing hard. And while that attribute is always something you like to see, it doesn't pay if the ballplayer throws hard, but every pitch is in the dirt or two feet over the head of a kid who's 4-ft tall!

If you coach and you are like me, I'd rather see a boy get up against us and hit a ball over a fence for a grand slam than walk in the runs. When I see BB in the book, I cringe. That's why the simple advice is "Throw Strikes".

So how do you approach pitching? Keep in mind I'm sure others could explain this much better than I can. This is my simple plan.

Mechanics are important, even at a young age. You want your pitchers to be consistent in everything they do - whether it's a wind-up or from the stretch. My suggestion is to get boys winding up - it gives them more momentum towards home plate and instills the proper mechanics.

Next is the step. Every step should be towards home plate - not 1st or 3rd base. You see a lot of inexperienced boys dropping their foot in any position. This needs to be corrected. By placing the foot in the proper position and direction, you have a better chance of the ball going to the intended spot.

And now the throw. Arm back, palm down, bring arm up into throwing position and release - this should be the same everytime. Same spot, same release point. And the other arm should be extended towards the plate as the arm is back, so you maintain proper balance.

The grip - I deal with 9 and 10 year olds. Most have no idea about a grip. Teach a four-seam or two-seam fastball. Your more experienced boys can also be taught a simple change. Use a palmball-type change if their hands are small, or a circle change for bigger mitts. The change is sometimes a challenge since they are holding the ball a little tighter. They tend to hold onto it a split second too long and bounce a lot of them. Practice. One thing with all boys is get them to stop squeezing the ball like juice will come out of it. It should be held as hard as they would an egg. In fact, you could bring a couple of eggs to practice (hard-boiled - but don't tell them) and have them hold those as a reference. And a note about curves, etc. - If you teach this to any boy under the age of 15 - then you should be ashamed of yourself.

The follow-through - sometimes the hardest part to teach, whether it's throwing or batting. Try a bucket drill to help teach.

Now throw the ball over the plate. Do not worry if it is hit, that's why the boys behind you are scattered about and have gloves on (some of them may be day-dreaming though).

Most of all, show the kids some enthusiasm and confidence in their skills. In Rec I have a rule; I will try any boy out on the mound during a game (one inning the first go) if they can prove to me in practice they can get the ball over the plate consistently. After practice I let the boys who want to try throw me 10 pitches. If 6-7 are good pitches, they get 10 more. If they can't find the plate or reach the dish, they are told to practice on their own until the next time. And when they get that chance, and their parent is looking at you quizzically because they can't believe their son is pitching, and the kid gets his first out - it's what it's all about.

Last Note of the Day -
I see a lot of coaches 'hiding' boys in the outfield in Rec- Rec is about getting the boys involved and excited about playing baseball. Let them play an infield position a couple of innings. You will build their self-esteem and make them feel like more of the team. It's a game. Let the kids play it and have fun.