Pitching Strategies For Catchers & Pitchers

Pitching Strategies For Catchers & Pitchers Source: “Coaching Pitchers.” Joe McFarland, 1999

“A great catcher is a smart Catcher…” ~He knows the strengths and weaknesses of the pitcher through continuous workouts in the bullpen. ~He knows the strengths and weaknesses of the hitter through working with a coach and studying hitter charts between innings.

“A great catcher is a Team Leader…” ~He takes charge in the field, and is a student of the game always learning through each situation and hitter. ~He works with the pitcher and his coach to develop a successful game plan on how to pitch to each hitter.

“Strategy Intangibles” 1.) Where and When to Throw the Fastball. 2.) Where and When to Throw the Breaking Ball. 3.) Where and When to Throw the Change-up. 4.) Disrupting a Hitter’s Rhythm. 5.) Pitch Location. 6.) Pitching To A Hitter’s Weaknesses. 7.) Working Ahead of The Hitter. 8.) Walks will Haunt 9.) Knowing the Game Situation and The Pitcher.

The Fastball • Being able to throw the fastball with effectiveness is the foundation to becoming a successful pitcher. • The key to having a good fastball is mastering the control of the pitch, followed by movement of the pitch, and finally velocity. • Having movement of the fastball is a very effective way to get hitters out. One inch of movement is worth 3 miles per hour of velocity. • “Pitch in to WIN!!!” A 77 mph fastball thrown inside is essentially the same as an 80 mph fastball thrown down the center of the plate. • Using different grips to throw the fastball (2 seam vs 4 seam), and changing speeds of the fastball are effective ways to offset a hitters timing.

When to use the Breaking ball 1.) When the hitter pulls his head out 2.) Anytime the hitter is aggressively thinking fastball (1st pitch of an at bat, 2-0, 2-1, or 1-0 count) 3.) On a left handed hitter who hits the ball the opposite way 4.) Right after a breaking ball was thrown for a strike. Most hitters will guess fastball in that situation. When not to use the Breaking ball 1.) When the hitter is obviously overmatched by a fastball. 2.) When the hitter has a slow bat. 3.) In a running situation. A fastball will give the catcher the best chance a throwing a runner out. The Breaking Ball

When to use the Change-up 1.) When the hitter takes a big stride. 2.) When the batter aggressively pulls the ball. 3.) When the hitter’s front full pull out. 4.) As a first pitch when the hitter is an aggressive first pitch hitter. When not to use the Change-up 1.) When the hitter is overmatched by the pitchers fastball. 2.) When an opposite field hitter is up. 3.) In a running situation. The Change-up

Disrupting the Hitter’s rhythm • Get the Pitcher to Work FAST. 1.)Do not confuse working fast with rushing a pitch. 2.) Getting the Pitcher to work fast will usually get the defense to play better behind him. 3.) Umpires like to call strikes when a fast-working pitcher is throwing 4.) Working fast will generally frustrate a hitter and affect their rhythm. 5.) The faster a pitcher can get his defense off the field, the sooner they can hit and score runs. 6.) When a pitcher is working fast, a game can be played in a shorter time, helps out everyone on the team. • Freeze the hitter to offset their timing • Play “mind games” with the hitter to frustrate them. Have the pitcher shake you off, give different looks, etc. • Don’t allow a pitcher to become Predictable.

Pitch Location • Pitch location or control is the most important aspect of pitching!!! • All hitters have weaknesses. A pitcher with good control can throw to those spots and exploit a hitter. • A good pitcher learns to throw a ball out of the strike zone effectively. • “Get ahead of the count, and get the hitter to chase a ball out of the zone for an out.” (Example, bounce an offspeed pitch occasionally with 2 strikes.)

Pitch LocationHard-Hit Chart ***NOTE*** This chart is an average determined by grading each batted ball on the following 1-5 scale. Data was gathered from 5 years of Division 1 Baseball. 1- Slow-roller or pop-up to the IF 2- Weakly hit ball or pop-up to the OF 3- Solid hit ball or medium depth flyball 4- Well-hit ball or deep fly ball 5- Home-Run

Pitch To A Hitter’s Weakness • Study the hitter and check for flaws in their swing. • Consider several things when calling pitches ~Is the hitter a good fastball hitter? ~Does the hitter swing first pitch? ~Is the Hitter Aggressive? ~Will he swing at bad pitches?

Working Ahead • A good hitter will generally look for a certain pitch or force the pitcher to make a mistake. Getting ahead in the count takes away this option. • Getting ahead of the hitter will put the pitcher in control and force the hitter to hit what is given to him and become a defensive hitter. • A good pitcher will throw a first pitch strike at a minimum of 60% of the time. • The “Batting Averages on Specific Counts” chart at the right were gathered from 5 years of Division I Baseball.

“Walks Will Haunt” • The Percentage of Walks that will generally score is between 20-40% at the college level and higher at the high school level. • There are times when a walk can be effective. Example, runner on 2nd, 2 outs, and the team’s best hitter is up.

Pitch to the Situation • Understand each game situation and alter the pitch strategy towards that situation. • Need a groundball for a double play • Have a substantial lead, trade runs for outs • 1st and 3rd situation, expect them to run • Definite bunt situation • ETC. • Call pitches geared towards a certain pitcher’s strengths • What is the pitcher’s best pitch? • What pitch is working at this point in the game? • What pitches aren’t working at this point in the game? • Be flexible when calling pitches. If a pitcher feels a pitch, let him throw it!

ROCORI Pitching “PITCHING is hitting their bats with strikes, and letting them get themselves out…” ~Russ Huls

Pitching Strategies For Catchers & Pitchers