How to Pitch From the Stretch

When you're a baseball pitcher and there are runners on base, it's advantageous to pitch from the stretch, as it shortens your time to the plate and makes it harder for the runner to get a good jump to steal a base. Practice pitching from the stretch so that you can pitch form the stretch as effectively as you can from the windup.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Stand with your back foot on the rubber and with your feet about shoulder length apart. Shift your weight to your back leg.

2. Come into a set position by bringing your glove and your throwing hand together in the middle of your body. If you're a right handed pitcher and the runner is on first, check the runner by turning your head and looking over your left shoulder.

3. Kick your leg up to the position in which you kick it in your windup. Make sure your knee on your back leg if flexed a bit and not locked as you'll need to kick off from this leg when you pitch.

4. Continue throwing your pitch in your normal motion. Once you get to this point, don't worry about the runner and let him affect your pitches. By pitching from the stretch, you've done what you can do to keep him from stealing a base.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are an experienced right handed pitcher, try to develop a slide step in your delivery when pitching from the stretch. With a slide step, you don't kick your outside leg up like you do in a normal windup and it makes for quicker time to the plate and a better potential pickoff move.

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