How to Become a Better Pitcher
Athletes who consider playing baseball and have strong arms often become pitchers. Arm strength, which is difficult to teach, is typically a prerequisite for this position. But a player can improve himself in other aspects of pitching. By paying attention to them and realizing their importance, you can make yourself a better pitcher.
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Instructions
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Change the eye-level on your pitches. Throw down in the strike zone as well as up. This keeps hitters from being able to focus on one portion of the strike zone. Use both sides of the plate, with fastballs inside and off-speed pitches away.
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2
Learn how to hold runners on base. Know how to keep runners close by holding the ball a bit longer before releasing it. Make pickoff throws to first to an area between the chest and knees of the first baseman to give you a larger target area and avoid bad throws. Practice your pickoff move until it is an asset.
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3
Field your position. Work on being in a good fielding posture after you release the baseball, with your glove up and your body facing the batter. Realize that this also greatly decreases your chances of injury from a batted ball as well.
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4
Avoid letting down after you get those first two batters out. Bear down even more to close out the inning rather than suffer a lapse of concentration.
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5
Study the hitters when you are on the mound and in the dugout. At lower levels of baseball, where videotape is not available, it is up to the pitchers to watch closely to see what gives certain hitters trouble. Remember what hitters swing and miss at when you are pitching and talk to the other pitchers on your team for their input.
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Establish a rapport with your catcher. Go over the various hitters if you have any previous knowledge of them. Tell the catcher to be honest with you and let you know what is working and what is not.
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Absorb the input from your coaches. Be open to coaching suggestions and eager to ask questions.
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8
Watch the professionals. Sit and watch a Major League Baseball game and see how pitchers are trying to get the best batters in the world out. Take notes on anything these pitchers do at their level that you feel you can try at yours.
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