pitching suggestions
Question
QUESTION: Hey I am a 14 year old pitcher, 5' 10" and a power pitcher and i was wondering if you had a suggestion on new pitches. I throw a moving four seamer around 70, a 12-6 splitter and a 2-7/3-6 slider. I was thinking a slow curveball or a cutter.
Any ideas?
ANSWER: Thruthfully Eric, I don't think you need anymore pitches until you can throw your current pitches to both sides of the plate and for a strike no matter what the count.
Pitching is about locating the ball to the side of the plate you want and even throwing pitches for a ball when need be (think two strikes).
I would learn to locate you fastball down in the zone, and then use your other two pitches to keep hitter's off balance.
If you've mastered that then I would go with the curveball because all of your pitches are "hard". Adding something slow like the curveball would be your best bet.
Good Luck Jon
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: ok well any ideas on how to devlop better location because I have gotten away with some people casing a little and generous calls. Right now I throw on flat ground about 70/80% and hit spots.
Thanks for your first answer.
Answer
Eric-
Mastering the location of all your pitches is simply a matter of commitment. It can be very boring at times to practice throwing the same pitch to the same spot over and over again. That's what it takes, patience and repetition.
Continue throwing the flat ground and challenge yourself to throw 10 in a row for strikes. Do that with all your pitches and the sky's the limit.
sorry for not getting back to you sooner
-Jon
8y/o 1st base mitt
Younger brothers pitching.