Non-Traditional Ways to Upset a Hitter's Timing

I learned a few more weapons for us as pitchers that I very rarely see used in Games. These are not to be used all the time. However, when you feel like the hitter is on your stuff or it is a big moment in the game where you really need an out these are tools you can and should use to your advantage that are all within the rules or close enough that they will not get called by the umpire.

1. Quick Pitch
- Usually this is done out of the stretch position and the pitchers uses a slide step. This is most effective on hitters that you recognize as having a big leg kick or a double tap during their load. The pitcher has to remember to come to a stop in the set. Then immediately after the stop the pitcher delivers the ball to home plate. If you pick your spots to use this weapon you will make it very difficult on the hitter.

2. Slow wind up
- Most hitters spend the majority of the time on deck timing up your normal delivery. Now once you start you windup at its normal tempo, slow it down as much as possible, this should help change the hitters timing as he is anticipating your normal delivery to home plate.

3.  Do not look in for the sign.
-this is done with a guy on first base. Get your sign from your catcher and then make a pick to first base. Talk to your catcher before the game and tell him that after a pick the same pitch will be on. Now get back on the rubber and come to a set and begin your delivery to home looking at either first or third depending on whether you are right handed or left handed. The hitter should be thrown by the fact that you never looked in for the sign.

4. Slide step from the windup
-If you are a guy that uses a slide step in the game when in the set just use it once in a while with two strikes out of the windup. What I mean is do your normal delivery out of the windup but when it comes time to lift your leg just don't and deliver the ball to the plate with a slide step.

5. change from the windup to the stretch with two strikes and no one on base and slide step.

There is no rule against changing from the windup to the stretch in the middle of an AB. Just come to the set position and deliver the ball with a slide step. The hitter will not be ready for it

6. Step 6 inch in front of the rubber.

Out of the windup instead of having contact with the rubber start six inches (or as much as isn't noticeable) in front of the rubber. If you do not overuse this technique it will not be called as the umpires do not pay attention to this.

Now as you incorporate these into your arsenal you will have hitters get mad and say it's unfair and you are cheating or trying to trick them. Just say cheating is when the runner at second relays the pitch or the location to the hitter.

Controlling the Running game part 1

You can find plenty of articles, books and videos on the mechanics of pitching. I still have not addressed any mechanical aspect of pitching  because I really do not believe it is even close to a priority in the pitching game. We will go into some mechanics in later posts but here is my take on mechanics: be athletic and keep your  direction and momentum of your body directed at home plate during the entire delivery. BOOM done (for now). Now onto more important stuff. I preach in this blog the importance of controlling what you can control because as I have said once the ball leaves your hand you have little control of the outcome.

The  Running Game
In this post we will discuss the basics, in the next post I will talk about specific mechanical techniques you can use to improve your pick off move.

I have heard pitchers tell me countless times, "I just don't hold base runners well." That's an excuse, we can CONTROL this! Here is a list of things you can improve on as a pitcher to limit the running game:

1. Practice a motion from the stretch that is quick to home plate without losing the velocity or location of your pitches.
2. mix up your looks and timing
3. Have a good pick off move (to first, second and third)
4. Know the other teams runners (study them when you are not pitching)
5.Work on a slide step ( if you try this in your bullpen work and your stuff is not as good then you can't use a slide step in the game)
6. Recognize the fine line between paying attention to base runners and letting the base runner effect your ability to get hitters out.

Work on this stuff everyday. I have to be honest there are plenty of days of neglected this stuff because it can be boring and doesn't seem important until you need to pick someone off in the game. Guys that are good at holding runners have another tool to separate themselves from other pitchers. Controlling the running game will help you in big spots during your outing and may even bail you out of jams if you have the ability to pick off a runner. When you are playing catch you should go through all your pick off moves right before your flat. During your bullpens and flats you should practice your slide step and varying your looks.

Ricky Henderson is on first what do I do?
There will be times during your career where there is a guy on first base that is an excellent base runner and there is little you can do to stop him from running. In these situations a lot of pitchers become overly occupied with the base runner. Keep it simple and never let a runner effect your effectiveness as a pitcher. One thing you can do is hold the ball on the mound. The longer you hold the ball the harder it is for the runner to stay in rhythm and get a good jump. Then the next pitch after you held, you can quick pitch. This means once you come to the set immediately deliver the ball to home plate. Also, if you feel that the base runner is trying to steal you can repeatedly try to pick him off. Even if you are not successful it still makes the runner dive back into first and should make him winded. The one thing you do not want to do is rush to home plate. Remember the most important thing is that we make a quality pitch. My advice is to be conscious of the runners on base at all times but never let them affect your ability to be effective as a pitcher.

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of taking pride in your ability to hold base runners and your pick off move. With runners on base pitchers have a tendency to let the game speed up on them and forget about the runners. If you feel this happening step off the mound and slow the game down. Make sure you have addressed the running game with your infielders. Make sure you are on the same page with them about back pics, flash plays etc. If you do not do this prior to the game there will be situations where you recognize that you could pick someone off and you won't be able to. Take care of this. It is important and like I said before, picking a runner off can bail you out of a key situation during your outing.
In the next post I will show you how to develop a great pick off move.