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.