Where to pitch a riseball

Our PC says to throw it over the plate, shoulder height. But team coach wants it on either side of the zone. PC’s reason is that an over the plate rise will start off looking like something to swing at, versus a pitch that may look like a ball vs strike.. I hear some say the trajectory should start at the height of the hitters hands and come in at the shoulders.
I know this could be dangerous especially if there isn’t enough spin.
Looking for views on what should be the optimal location.

An "optimal location" for a pitch doesn't exist. The best location for a specific pitch depends upon the batter, the count, the score, the outs, the runners on base, the inning, the umpire, etc.

*GENERALLY*...you don't want to put any pitch over the middle of the plate. When you make a mistake over the middle of the plate, bad things happen.

Suppose you are facing a skilled batter. She will know that you throw a riseball. She also knows that most riseball pitchers throw riseballs high. So, the batter will not swing at any pitch that is up. It doesn't matter if it is inside, outside or down the middle...she won't chase it.

Therefore, you will need to "start" your riseball lower in the zone. If you are starting the ball lower in the zone, there is a greater risk the batter will hit it over the fence. Therefore, you have to throw it to a corner rather than down the middle.

Good collegiate pitchers can throw the riseball at different vertical locations and at different horizontal (left-right) locations. Good riseball pitchers can throw it for a strike..

Findlay, Sluggers said it best "no pitch should be over the middle of the plate". And he's absolutely right to add all the variables, count, score, situation, etc.

But whether you're talking a riseball, dropball, change up, curveball, etc. the key to pitching excellence is to be MARGINAL. You want to be around the zone, not in it whenever possible. The more a pitcher can nibble, the more she's likely to get pitches called strikes that are actually balls. Greg Maddox and Tom Glavine were masters of this. Always around the plate, rarely over the plate. If every riseball is at the shoulders, even mediocre hitters are going to learn it's not a strike. And the umpire will never be inclined to give it a strike. But if you can nibble, it will make the hitters have to swing at YOUR pitch and the umpires will have to be focused on every pitch instead of knowing that certain ones will never be thrown for strikes. Now for the bad news, this ability and reputation of keeping the ball marginal takes years to develop. It also takes a catcher willing to talk the umpire into certain pitches with comments, etc. Having a catcher that can plant a seed in the umpire's head that "my pitcher stays at the knees and on the corners" will grow fruit if she can back it up.

Having said that... if you're throwing riseball's over the hitter's heads and they swing, you KEEP throwing it over their heads. If the swing at balls in the dirt, then you bowl it in and let them swing at that!!!!! But you can't always count on undisciplined hitters. So, my advise for what it's worth, keep it marginal.

Bill

But whether you're talking a riseball, dropball, change up, curveball, etc. the key to pitching excellence is to be MARGINAL. You want to be around the zone, not in it whenever possible. The more a pitcher can nibble, the more she's likely to get pitches called strikes that are actually balls.

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Great explanation!

sluggers said:

Great explanation!

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It's not often but, I have my moments.