THE PITCHING PROCESS

BOB MORGAN BASEBALL

A. Self Analysis
1. Determine best out pitch
2. Determine type of pitcher
Predominately FB
Predominately CB
Control
Changing
Combination
3. Starting point for success is to know yourself

B. Pitching Plan
1. Find ways to get batter out.
2. Concentration, determination, and confidence are a must if you are to be a winner.
3. Warm up command pitches – third will come.
4. First five innings use them on outer third of plate, as game progresses then pitch inside –
Rough early; pull out all stops.
5. Always strikes – Only way you are the aggressor – Must get leadoff hitter, negative to
offense, positive to defense.
6. Days of poor stuff, the main thing getting you past fifth inning is being ahead in the
count.

C. Philosophy
1. Make living outside third of plate.
2. Pitch inside when ahead in the count not when behind.
3. Have a positive mental attitude.
4. Get hitter out best way you can. Pitch to pitcher’s strengths.
5. Play nine versus one.
6. Pitch to letter “L”.
7. First pitch ground ball strike.
8. Want two out of first three pitches in the box.
9. four things that make a winning pitcher – In order of importance:
A.Confidence
B.Control of self and pitches
C.Knowledge of pitching
D.Ability

B.General
1. Take mound with any doubt of outcome – I promise outcome will be negative.
2. Don’t give hitters too much respect – Best are three out of ten.
3. Don’t back away from challenge – The bigger the challenge the more aggressive you
become.
4. There are very few good two strike hitters.

26
 5. We can survive on occasional 1-2 run inning but not a 4+ inning, you will give up
hits, walks, errors but refer back to the now theory, “stay cool”.
6. Divorce yourself from hitters, scoring – Your responsibility is pitching – No matter
what, keep a solid mental involvement and stay aggressive and do your thing.
7. Pitch your own game.
8. run to and from mound.
9. Apologize for nothing – You aren’t there to make friends but to beat people.

C.Warming up.
1. Fine tune concentration.
2. Don’t let head fail you before arm has a chance (loosen arm up).
3. Save time by what you want to do rather than what you don’t want to do (Think about
what you’re doing right).
4. Get mad; make it short and sweet and get rid of it.

D.Across Lines Don’t:

1. Lose concentration.
2. Try to throw better than did in bullpen.
3. Don’t hope to do well or throw strikes – Be determines to.
4. Nibbler – Afraid of hitter – Give hitter too much credit.
5. Can’t be perfect = Unattainable.
6. 1st pitch hitters - .190 average.
7. Know how to set up and put away 0-2, 1-2, don’t delay.
8. Get out of jam – Then lose edge, focus and determination must be consistent. Deal
one pitch at a time – When things go poorly, think about solution not problem.

The “Top 5” Pitching Skills

1. Hitting the Target. The absolute number one goal of pitching is hitting the target. If you
think of it in very simple terms, pitching is really nothing more than target practice.
Everything else is secondary. But you truly have a fighting chance when you can throw
the ball where you want it to go. In fact, it’s one of the two things the pitcher has control
of – where to throw the ball. The other is how your react to the outcome of that pitch.

2. Changing speeds. The ability to change speeds is the second factor in refining the
pitching process. Changing speeds creates a timing problem for the hitter. Hitting is
timing, and pitching is destroying the hitter’s timing. If the pitcher can do that, he’s
another step on the way to success.

3. Creating Movement. The third facto is the ability to create some movement on the
baseball. The most desirable movement is a two plane type of movement where the ball
moves horizontally and vertically as in the fast ball, change-up, or breaking ball. The
ability to throw a ball with this kind of movement is advantageous for all pitches.

27
 4. Maximizing Velocity. The ability to generate velocity creates a situation in which the
hitter has less time to react to the pitch. A pitcher can become more effective by cutting
down the hitter’s reaction time. Mechanically, it’s the result of the whole body working
together at high speed in the right sequence.

5. Working Fast. A fast tempo adds to the pitcher’s edge. He should get the signal before
the hitter gets into the batter’s box. Change pitches and location with wipes rather than
going through all the pitches and wasting time. One of the things that really kills the
tempo of the game is a pitcher walking down off the rubber at the edge of the grass. Get
the ball back from the catcher near the rubber and get ready to make the nest pitch. Fast
tempo pitching takes the hitters out of their routine and disrupts their rhythm.

You should slow the tempo down only when you need to regain composure to pitch
effectively. Sometimes the hitters will slow you down, but if you’re ready, the umpire will
push the hitter to get into the box. Even if the umpires don’t force the tempo, you should be
ready to pitch immediately after the hitter gets ready, which makes the hitter feel rushed. If
you force the hitter back into the box quickly after a bad swing, many times the result is
another poor swing.
A quick tempo doesn’t mean quick pitching to the hitter. You should let the hitter get set
in the batter’s box, but put pressure on the hitter to get into the box rapidly.

Keep in mind that efficient mechanics give the pitcher a chance to have the most consistent
ability to hit the target because they lead to the repetitive delivery with a consistent arm slot
and release point. Good mechanics also give the best possible chance to maximize arm
strength and arm speed and to reduce the chance for injury. Pitchers with good mechanics
can maintain their stuff for a longer period, which allows them to pitch later in the game.

SELF COACHING SYSTEM

Solving Problems and Self Coaching

In order to efficiently solve mechanical problems you must:
A. Trace a problem to its roots (many just work on the symptoms)
B. Research the problem and come up with a plan of attack (you must develop a plan to
solve the problem)
C. Your plan must have both a short term solution (during a game) and a long term
solution involving drills to help prevent the problem from surfacing too often.

Self Coaching:
The best way to coach pitchers is by teaching them to be their own coaches. In order for this
to be effective you must:
1. Give them a very basic understanding of their mechanics
2. Make sure they feel these basic concepts in their delivery, and
2. Help them develop check points and drills to solve (fix) their individual problems. This
entire concept can take a long time to fully develop. It is very important that the pitching
coach spend as must time as necessary with each individual pitcher to make sure they

28
 have a complete understanding and feel of the same areas stated above. Once the pitcher
is comfortable with his knowledge and understanding of the basic mechanics, this system
will last an entire career.

Benefits of the Self Coaching Concept:

1.Some of the pitchers are able to solve problems during the course of a game before the
problem beats them.
2.Pitchers are included in the development process more, so communication is therefore
better between coach and pitcher.

Dangers of the Self Coaching Concept:

1. The mechanical material must be kept very basic or the pitcher becomes confused and can
become a “mechanical mess”.
2. Some pitchers may start to believe that the mechanics are the only thing that is important
and pretty soon it’s “I didn’t win but at least my mechanics were good…”
3. You look around and pitcher A is coaching pitcher B using his own mechanics as a guide.
They (pitcher A’s mechanics) may not apply to pitcher B, and may in fact do damage.
4. Pitcher over analyze mechanics during the game.

Self Coaching System

All pitchers overthrow and get in trouble. We want to train each pitcher to develop a
“self-coaching systems” in order to solve minor mechanical and mental problems during a game.
It is a fact that a pitcher who can coach himself can will games that he would normally lose, and
help prevent long periods of ineffectiveness (pitching slumps). It is the responsibility of the
pitching coach and pitcher to develop this system together for the long term of the pitcher.

Learn Basic Mechanics

A. Break your delivery into three parts – understand each part.
B. Understand the importance of overall balance and good direction.
C. Apply basic mechanics to your delivery.
D. Learn the difference between the symptoms and the roots of the problem and learn to find
the root and plot a solution.
E. Train yourself to develop both short term solutions (during the game) and long term
solutions (drills).

Mental Skills in Self Coaching

A. Keep your cool and think rationally
B. Focus on the solution and not the problem.
C. Talk nicely about yourself.
D. Use pictures not just words.
E. Remember what you learn and the solution you develop.
F. Don’t stop with one solution – always try to improve the system.

29
Situations that Promote Overthrowing:
1.When you are in trouble
2.after an error(s)
3.When the best hitter comes up
4.After a homerun
5.Anytime you lose your temper
6.After a cheap hit off you
7.When a scout comes to see you pitch
8.When you get tired
9.The 1st, 5th, and 9th innings
10.0-2 count and you think “strikeout”
11.Trying to get revenge against a team or an individual
12.When family or friends are in town
13.After a bad outing
14.When the game is on the line
15.The coach is about to take you out of the game
16.Large crowds
17.2 outs
18.TV games
19.You feel strong
20.Shut down inning
21.The team is on a losing streak
22.Long inning
23.When you don’t think you have your best stuff

DEVELOPING YOUR PITCHES

Developing Pitches:
The foundation for every pitcher is his fastball. Whether its use to overpower hitter
(which is very rarely the case) or to set up other pitches, the fastball is the key to successful
pitching. The keys to developing an effective fastball are control and movement. Young
pitchers think that velocity is the most important factor, and this line of thinking leads to
overthrowing. Overthrowing is a career long problem that can only be controlled, but never
eliminated. Even the best major league pitchers overthrow in some situations.
Velocity is just not that important. Either you have it or you don’t and by trying to throw
harder than you are capable of throwing, you destroy your mechanics.
If a pitcher does not have an above average fastball, then he must learn to change speeds,
pitch inside, and develop a better breaking ball. He should concentrate on throwing strikes, and
while some pitchers are trying to overthrow, he’ll be winning games for his team.

Pitching Inside:
Pitchers have to pitch inside to be effective. There are two basic inside pitches at the
college and professional levels. The first is thrown three to six inches off the plate in an effort to
jam, or tie up the hitter and get him out. The second, called the purpose pitch, is thrown just
under the hitters hands, and its message is simple, “move or get hit”. The purpose pitch should

30
never be higher than the letters or lower then the belt. A pitcher must protect the outside half of
the plate by discouraging the hitter from leaning out over the plate. This can be described as
“making the hitters uncomfortable”.
Pitching inside should be a regular part of a pitchers plan for success, not a display of
frustration or a malicious act.

Four-Seam Fastball:
Pitchers usually develop a four-seam (or across the seams) fastball at an early age. It is
the fastball that some will rely on throughout their pitching careers. It is the basic grip for all
young players at all positions and without a doubt is the first thing young pitchers should learn
about pitching. The basic grip, help dead center, provides for a straight flight and little
movement. The four-seam fastball can be used as a foundation grip for many other pitches. It is
also an essential tool for teaching pitchers how spin affects the flight of the ball.

Two-Seam Fastball and the Sinker:

The tow-seam fastball (or with the seams) provides for better movement. The ball will
sink and/or tail depending on how high it is thrown an dhow tight the spin is.
The sinker is usually a two-seam fastball that has been held off center, but many different
grips have been used successfully.

Sliders and Cutters:

Many pitchers have worked on developing a slider instead of the curve. Since the slider
is easier to learn, many pitchers take to the slider for a shorter developmental stage and quicker
results. The two most popular slider grips are the two-seam variety held off center, or a bigger
break version held further up on the ball. When throwing this pitch, you should think “cut the
ball” not “break the ball”. When the pitcher starts thinking and throwing it like a breaking ball it
gets too big. A true slider should have a short, quick break. Serious elbow damage can result if
you “twist” the ball at the release pint, causing the index and middle fingers to roll under the ball.
If you are getting a big flat break instead of a short 8-10 inch break, you are twisting the ball at
the end.
A “cutter” is a four-seam fastball held off center that is designed to be thrown belt high or
just out of the strike zone. This is nothing more than a fastball with movement which has two
major uses. If you are right-handed pitcher you use it up and away from a right-handed hitter
and to jam a left-handed hitter at the belt (inside on his hands). Obviously, left-handed pitchers
use it exactly the same way, to jam right-handed hitters or to make left-handed hitters chase it up
and away.

Curve:
In order to learn to throw a curve ball properly, you must first learn to spin the ball
correctly. The ball is held along the long seam in a manner to allow four seams to hit the wind
while the all is in flight. The ball is not held out in the fingertips, but “choked” or held back in
the hand. You should not try to make the ball break straight down. The break you get will
depend on your natural arm action among other things. The pitcher should try to keep his hand
on the side of the ball with the fingers on top as he reliance it. He should pull the fingers from

31
the top of the ball down the front of the ball as it is being released allowing the hand to promote,
or turn inward, during the follow-through phase. He should be careful not to twist the ball o the
side causing the fingers to go under the ball. This will cause serious elbow damage. He should
play catch at a short distance until he learns to spin the ball properly. Pointing the index fingers
at the target will help teach proper skin, but it will take several workouts before he learns to spin
the ball properly with any consistency.

Changing Speeds:
By far the most effective weapon that a pitcher has against the hitter is a change of speed
pitch. If he shows the hitter a fastball arm speed, the hitter will start to swing to hit a fastball. In
order to show the hitter the arm speed necessary to fool him, you must think, “I’m throwing a
fastball with a different grip”. The rip must do 100% of the job of slowing the ball down.
Several grips are used for the change, but all of the various grips start with the ball in the
palm of the hand. One variation is the “three finger change” with three fingers on top of the ball,
the thumb underneath, and the little finger along the side. The circle change is also very popular
and is named because the index finger and thumb touch or nearly touch.
A change-up is thrown right down the middle of the plate. If it is straight and has very
little movement at first, it doesn’t matter, for it is the hand speed (arm speed) that fools the hitter
and gets results.
The development of all changes-ups will take time and a coach, as well as the pitcher
must be patient, a pitcher should play catch with his change-up daily until he feels comfortable
with it. A coach should insist that a starting pitcher throws somewhere between 20-30% change-
ups during a typical game while learning to pitch. Pitchers will resist and they will start think “I
can’t throw my change for a strike so I don’t use it” or “I’m too inconsistent with it so I’ll throw
it next game”. Before long, the season is over and it’s “We’ll have to work on it next year”.
Pitchers must be FORCED to throw change-ups at all levels until they feel comfortable and
develop consistency with it.

PITCHING SITUATIONS

As we know, pitching is not something easily mastered and often never mastered. One of the
reasons pitchers never really seem to be able to master their craft is because of the lack of
understanding situation (which pitch to thro and where to throw it). Orel Hershiser or Greg
Maddox have mastered the essence of pitching. They control a game by controlling the strike
zone and know what type of pitch needs to be thrown. Remember, pitching is being able to
adjust to a batter and make him hit your pitch. You must learn to develop and manufacture your
outs. You must have enough options to show the hitter you can and will do it. Know your
surroundings. For example, here are some important situations that will come up:

1. Left-handed batter with a man on first base – he is trying to pull the ball. No change-ups
or slow breaking balls over the plate. Hard stuff away or in tight.
2. Man on 2nd and no outs – the batter is trying to hit the ball to the right side. Keep the ball
on in the right-handed batter and way from the left-handed batter.

32
 3. Man on 3rd, infield back with less than 2 outs – try to get him out with a good fastball up
and in or a pitch that will hit a short fly ball or a pop up in the infield. A change-up is OK in
this situation.
4. Man on 3rd with the infield in – we want the ball hit on the ground. No curves. A hard
slider on 2 seam fastball down is fine.
5. Squeeze play – catcher and pitcher must communicate that the pitch called for must be
thrown away from the hitter.
6. Bunt situations – fastball or a good hard curve (if the pitcher has one).
7. Close game with an open base – whatever base it is, don’t give into the batter when or if
you get behind in the count. Don’t just throw a fast ball down the middle. Work the hitter
hard.
8. Close game – know who to challenge and who to work off.
9. Lead of batter on base – pitch the next hitter into a right-handed batter, away to a left-
handed batter to prevent the runner on 1st from going to 2nd with less than 2 outs.
10. Man on 2nd or 3rd with les than 2 outs – use hard stuff don to prevent ball hit up in the air.
Fastball, slider or if the pitcher has hard curve or a controlled curve.
11. Man on 3rd with 1 out and a power hitter up – but are hard to prevent bad extension (no
sac flies). Can go to a back door curve or slider to power hitter because they have tendency
to give up on them. No back-door curves or sliders to power hitters.
12. Man on 2nd with 2 outs and a weak hitter on deck – can pitch around a little to get to the
weak hitter. If ahead in the count, go after him. This situation also depends on the strengths
and/or weakness of the hitter at the plate.
13. Base stealer on 1st – vary hold times to disrupt runner’s timing/rhythm.
14. After getting 2 quick outs – a change-up middle/down works well.
15. In obvious fastball counts – a head shake can be effective (mandatory with a 3-2 count)
16.0-2 counts – fastball up and in and hard in. Make him move his feet or stand him straight
up. This is a purpose pitch, not a waste pitch.

PITCHING OBJECTIVES

What’s In our Heads as pitchers:

1.Play winning Baseball
-We can’t always win but we can and must always PREPARE to win.
2. Stay aggressive and Challenge the Hitter
-Don’t give the hitter too much credit
-1st pitch strikes (winners work ahead)
-Run on and off the mound
-When in doubt, have the guts to go after him
-Pitch inside effectively
-Pitcher shows the attitude of the team
3. Lean to Command Your Off-Speed Pitches
4. Maintain Self-Control and Confidence – Avoid Frustration
-Make one pitch at a time – get one out at a time – take on inning at a time, the “Now
Theory”
5. Strive for Excellence – Set Goals for Yourself

33
 -Work toward goals
-Concentrate and consistent effort during work
-Study the hitters
-Constantly improve – never be content
-Work on the secondary aspect of your position
Hold runners on
Fielding your position
Be fundamentally sound
6. Be a Team Player
-Develop catcher relationships
-Wait for outfielders after play
-Compliment teammates
-Criticize maturely
7. Be Prepared to Work Hard
8. YOU ARE A COMPETITOR– EXPECT TO WIN!!!!!!!!!!!

PITCHING – THE MENTAL ASPECT

Arm strength or velocity of a thrown baseball is an indication of possible pitching success. While
the above is important, it is by no means the total element of success in pitching. The
effectiveness of a pitcher is based on his mental and emotional make-up.
The mental and emotional make-up of a winning pitcher is a many-faceted thing.
Effective pitching means that the pitcher believes deeply in himself who enables him to
concentrate thus enabling him to choose pitches and execute with those pitches to the best of his
ability. A pitcher that pitches so that his game is “together” is a pitcher that is positive about
himself in accordance with success.
Successful pitchers have a tremendous desire to compete. This desire to compete is
primarily brought about by the pitcher’s feeling of strong self-confidence. People want to do
things that they do successfully. The stronger the pitcher’s confidence, the more the pitcher
wants a challenge. A confident pitcher will be at his best while confronting a challenge (good
pitch selection, good control, basic mechanics are good). If the pitcher has good confidence he
will be more able to relax during the execution of his pitched and achieve to the level of his
physical ability.
It must be realized that in baseball, pitching is the only constant in the game. The pitcher
initiates the action and all play usually revolves around what the pitchers do. Successful pitching
is a multi-encompassing thing. It involves good mechanics, which make for the best in the use
of the arm, which make for the best in control. It also involves the knowledge of pitching
fundamentals. This is a part of pitching that involves pitch selection, and the pitcher as a fielder.
The pitcher must also have good self-control and be capable of handling adversity. If the pitcher
believes in his ability he generally will handle things well like pressure, being hit, and umpires’
calls going against him.
When a pitcher arrives at the level of success he can obtain he has completed a circle of
items that are dependent on each other for his success. He must believe that the mechanics he is
using (or making change to as is often the case) will improve him. He must also have success as
that his confidence and self-concept will become stronger. The delivery and self-concept are

34
interrelated. Sometimes with physical changes in delivery there is a regression phase that is a
difficult period for a pitcher and the key to riding this phase out is that the pitcher believes that
the changes made will eventually make for success above what was previously achieved.
Often a pitcher having success at a given level of competition is reluctant to any change
even though it may be a minor change and will change and will enhance his opportunity for
greater success at an elevated level. Not making adjustments necessary to reach advancement
and thus getting cuffed around can shatter a pitcher’s belief in himself. He then gropes and
grasps for anything.
Physical talent is one thing. It is obvious to the eye and is a major determining factor in
how high a pitcher can go in the levels of baseball competition. But without the mental and
emotional make-up of a positive nature the best physical tools in the world will be limited to an
up and down performance level and a pitcher “never quite getting there.”

35