PITCHING

Pitchers- Pitching is all about; location, movement and velocity, in that order. Pitchers need to remain balanced and finish strong off of their ‘push’ leg. Simple pitching drills will allow your pitchers to learn to hit spots. While working with a pitcher on the side, don’t have them just pitch and throw strikes. Have the pitchers work on hitting outside, inside, up, down, etc. With thirty pitches to throw at each practice they can work 12 inside, 12 outside and 6 change-up/off speed pitches.

Pitching Release Mechanics- The pitcher’s release point should be the same to incorporate proper location on pitches. Upon release of the ball the pitcher’s belly button should be pointed at the target while the ‘push’ foot should be rotating onto the ball of the foot allowing maximum leg drive from the pitching rubber. When stride foot lands, the ‘push’ foot which supplies the power of the pitch, should only then rotate allowing the bellybutton to turn toward the catcher.   

Towel Drill- At the above phase a simple towel drill can be used. Holding a small towel, have the pitcher extend his ‘lead’ foot out toes pointing at his/her target, while rotating onto the ball of his/her ‘push’ foot as the pitcher’s belly button turns toward target have the pitcher snap the towel out in front of him/her onto a chair/bucket/Etc and follow through. The chair/bucket/Etc should be about waist height to the pitcher.

Pitching Momentum- To help pitchers learn to develop the proper momentum toward home plate, have the pitcher stand on the rubber with their feet crossed. Allow the ‘lead’ foot to be crossed in front of the ‘push’ foot. Ask the pitcher to start to fall toward the catcher. As this happens the pitcher can feel their momentum go toward their intended target and can now stride and throw the baseball.

Pitching Balance Drill- While going through their pitching motion upon the ‘lead’ knee going up, have the pitcher pause for a few seconds and then finish his/her pitch. A variation of the drill is to have the pitcher bring leg up three times pausing at the top of his leg lift. On the third leg lift the pitcher will then drop the leg and drive the plant foot forward pitching the ball to the target.

Pitcher Stride Drill- The stride of a pitcher should be approximately 80% of their body length. In this drill draw a straight line from the pitching rubber straight toward home plate about 5 feet in length. Have the pitcher stand with his back foot (push foot) in the center of the line, extended the front foot the 80% with the toe pointed directly at the catcher on the line. From there the pitcher will hold his glove to his chest and ball in hand, follow the "thumb-to-thigh-take-it-to-the-sky" rule and have the pitcher pitch the ball to the catcher using his back leg for leverage. The pitcher should finish in a fielding ready position.

Pitchers Bucket Drill #1-Start by placing bucket next to the pitcher’s ‘lead’ foot while in the stretch position. Raise the ‘lead’ foot on the front edge of the bucket, allow the ‘lead’ foot to “scrape” the down the side of the bucket and then extend toward the throwing target (stride should be 80% of body length), once the ball is released the ‘push’ leg should drive off of the pitching rubber and extend up and over the bucket. ‘Push’ leg should land evenly on the ground allowing the pitcher to now be vertical to the throwing target. The throwing elbow should extend directly over and next to the ‘lead’ knee.

Pitcher’s Bucket Drill #2- This can be done standing or from a bent ‘push’ leg touching the knee to the ground. Place the top of the ‘push’ foot directly on top of the bucket and extend the ‘lead’ foot 80% of the throwers body length with the toe pointed directly at the catcher. From this position pitcher should have his hands at the chest, ball removed from the glove. Start by allowing the pitcher to throw in a circular motion (thumb to thigh-take it to the sky) toward the catcher. The ‘push’ leg should pop up and over just like Pitcher’s Bucket Drill #1. Again throwing elbow should extend directly over and next to the ‘lead’ knee. Finish should always be the same.

Hit-Backs- Pitcher goes through his proper delivery motion without a ball. Coach stands at the plate and hits ground balls or pop-ups back toward pitcher. Pitcher will then make the proper play to base.

Pitchers Cover First- Simple drill to incorporate the routine that when ever a ball is hit to the right side the pitcher must break toward first base. Using a rotation of fielders and pitchers have players set-up at 2^nd, 1^st and on the mound. Hit ground balls to the right side, allow the pitcher to “swing” toward first. The 1^st baseman must make judgment on if he can and should get to the ball. When covering first the pitcher should use the interior part of the bag and run up the line while staying in fair territory at all times to avoid a collision with the runner. Use cones to give the pitcher a path to stay on. Other variations include having the 1^st baseman play up and slow hits or drag bunt are hit just past the pitcher. When the 1^st baseman flips to the pitcher he/she must follow their flip toward their target. This will give a more crisp and accurate flip or throw when necessary.