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This article emphasizes the mental aspect of baseball pitching, highlighting that being a successful pitcher involves more than just physical skills. Even with great physical abilities, a pitcher’s performance can vary, making mental strategy crucial.
Owning the Plate: A Mental Approach to Baseball Pitching
Key Takeaways for Pitchers:
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Understand Pitcher’s Property: Concede the middle 5 inches of the plate to the batter but dominate the two 6-inch sections on either side.
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Avoid the Power Zone: Be aware of a left-handed hitter’s power zone (down and inside) and avoid throwing pitches there, or exploit it by throwing pitches just off the plate to entice swings at balls.
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Exploit Batter Positioning: If a batter stands far off the plate, avoid pitching to the outside corner; instead, locate pitches just off the plate to induce weak contact.
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Utilize Fastball Strategy: When ahead in the count, especially with an overmatched batter, use high fastballs to generate foul balls or flyouts.
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Mix Pitches Effectively: Set up hitters by using fastballs to get ahead in the count, then surprise them with a curveball in the dirt to induce a swing.
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Get Ahead in the Count: Consistently pitching ahead in the count gives you a significant advantage over the hitter.
Developing a pitching strategy and implementing it through consistent practice is essential for becoming a good pitcher. Visualizing scenarios and practicing specific situations, such as a 3-2 count, can improve performance in real game situations.
For more tips on improving your baseball skills, visit BaseballSkillsHub.com.
