- Feb 7, 2013
- 3,188
- 48
I think we forget how much new and/or young pitchers need to learn and do to be skilled at their position. No wonder most give up the position after a few shorts years. Below is a partial list:
- they have to learn how to throw the ball underhand;
- they have to windmill their throwing arm;
- they have to swing one or both their arms behind them to start the pitch;
- they have to time their leap and drag their back foot along the ground;
- they have to be able to find their grip on the seams (by feel) when the ball is in their glove;
- they have to have both feet on the pitching plate;
- they have to have their hands separated when they place their feet on the pitching plate;
- they have to simulate taking a sign from the catcher/pitching coach;
- they can only pitch within 1 - 10 seconds;
- they have to learn signs for different pitches and different locations;
- they have to learn how to throw accurately;
- they have to avoid hitting batters;
- they have to learn to handle being the center of attention;
- they have to learn how to handle their emotions and the pressure of the game;
- they have to know who is on base and what to do if the ball is hit to them;
- they have to deal with the other teams negative chants;
- they have to have to learn how to field the bunt/slap;
- they have to learn how to cover home plate on a passed ball and make a proper tag;
- they have to deal with line-drives hit back at them;
- they have to understand the pitching circle, the look-back rule, and circle violation rules;
- they have to practice pitching weekly and often;
- they need to know and learn all the other areas of the game when they are not pitching such as hitting; fielding when playing other positions, baserunning, etc.
We need to give these new and young pitchers a lot of credit for taking the circle, it's the most difficult position in softball to learn and be proficient at it.
- they have to learn how to throw the ball underhand;
- they have to windmill their throwing arm;
- they have to swing one or both their arms behind them to start the pitch;
- they have to time their leap and drag their back foot along the ground;
- they have to be able to find their grip on the seams (by feel) when the ball is in their glove;
- they have to have both feet on the pitching plate;
- they have to have their hands separated when they place their feet on the pitching plate;
- they have to simulate taking a sign from the catcher/pitching coach;
- they can only pitch within 1 - 10 seconds;
- they have to learn signs for different pitches and different locations;
- they have to learn how to throw accurately;
- they have to avoid hitting batters;
- they have to learn to handle being the center of attention;
- they have to learn how to handle their emotions and the pressure of the game;
- they have to know who is on base and what to do if the ball is hit to them;
- they have to deal with the other teams negative chants;
- they have to have to learn how to field the bunt/slap;
- they have to learn how to cover home plate on a passed ball and make a proper tag;
- they have to deal with line-drives hit back at them;
- they have to understand the pitching circle, the look-back rule, and circle violation rules;
- they have to practice pitching weekly and often;
- they need to know and learn all the other areas of the game when they are not pitching such as hitting; fielding when playing other positions, baserunning, etc.
We need to give these new and young pitchers a lot of credit for taking the circle, it's the most difficult position in softball to learn and be proficient at it.