Baseball Pitching Tips - How to Expand the Strike Zone Properly!

Baseball Pitching Strategy

By Guest Author: Larry Cicchiello

Whenever you are ahead in the count, you should "expand the strike zone." No, let's rephrase that. You must expand the strike zone! That simply means throwing a pitch off the plate, that's actually a ball. Or throwing a pitch too high or too low that is out of the strike zone. Let's be clear on one thing. I think it is a total waste if you throw the pitch too far off the plate. If ahead of the batter and the count is 0-2, it makes no sense to throw a pitch over the batter's head or two feet off the plate. The objective is to get the batter to swing at a pitch that's not a strike. If you throw the ball way off the plate or over the batter's head the batter will not swing. The only thing that does is that it adds to your pitch count. That makes no sense.

It is estimated that at least 70% of swinging strike threes are on pitches that are NOT strikes. Please read the previous sentence again!

You don't have to take my word for it. You can see it for yourself. Occasionally, when a pitcher strikes out a lot of hitters in a baseball game, the following morning on television, they sometimes show the replays of all the strikeouts. Keep a tally for yourself. (Trust me on this one, you can do it.) I have done it several times.

If the hitter took strike three, you DON'T tally it. You are ONLY checking the SWINGING strike threes. Simply count the pitches swung at that were strikes and pitches swung at that were balls. Your tally will go like this: 1 out of 1, 1 out of 2, 2 out of 3, 2 out of 4, 3 out of 5, etc.

I really suggest you try this. You will get very good at it and in no time at all and may find it very interesting as well as surprising. The batters swing at more strike threes that are balls than are strikes! That is a very powerful statement. It is because the batter can no longer be fussy about what he swings at and must protect against being called out on strikes.

There is an expression that has been around for decades and still holds true and will NEVER become obsolete. "You get ahead of them with strikes but you get them out with balls." I know it's been around for decades because my father taught it to me about 50 years ago, when I was 9 years old. Boy am I old!

Make very good use of expanding the strike zone because very often, if ahead in the count, you will get batters out with balls.

One of the better baseball pitching tips you should always remember is that there is simply no reason on earth to give a hitter a strike to hit if he's going to swing at a ball! Baseball pitching is plenty tough enough.

Why not make your life easier?

Larry is the successful author of several very user friendly eBooks and CD's covering 320 topics on playing or coaching excellent baseball. ANY player, coach or parent who wants to help their child will be fully equipped! Check out some FREE baseball tips on hitting and FREE baseball pitching tips at LarryBaseball.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Larry_Cicchiello

==========================

Tanks to our sponsors:
Baseball2u.com
Hit2win.com
AdvancedSkillsTee.com

Baseball Pitching Drills - Improving Accuracy

Baseball Pitching Drills - Improving Accuracy
By Kenny Buford

Some of the most important baseball pitching drills focus on accuracy and placing the ball where you want it to be. The following drills work athletes to continually improve their ability to get the ball where it's intended to go. Drills can be adjusted depending on the age and playing level of different teams and players.

Bullseye

In the bullseye drill, players throw the ball into an ever-decreasing bullseye. Coaches should tape off a square bullseye, either into a padded wall or a throwing or batting cage.

Inside each square, there is a smaller square, with a total of 5 squares. The size of the bullseye depends on the age and playing ability of the team you are working with, but it should be challenging.

Players must throw 3-5 balls back-to-back inside the bullseye before the coach removes the outer-most piece of tape, thus decreasing the size of the bullseye. The number of back-to-back balls thrown into the bullseye is also a decision the coach makes, depending on the age and playing level of the team.

Kneeling Partner Pitches

Each player needs a partner. Both partners kneel on the ground, both with gloves, but with only one ball. The distance between the players is up to the coach, and can be extended periodically during the drill to make things more difficult.

Each pair pitches back and forth. The pitch is considered "good" if the catcher does not have to extend his arms out to his sides in order to catch the ball.

If the catchers extend their arms, the pitcher gets a point. If the catchers lift a knee to reach for the pitch, the pitcher gets two points. If the catcher falls in an effort to get the pitch, the pitcher gets three points.

Pitchers must keep their point total under 5 to stay in the game. The catcher counts the number of pitches the pitcher completes before reaching 5 points, and then the catcher becomes the pitcher and vice versa.

To make the drill more exciting or competitive for the players, pitchers can be ranked against each other to find the pitcher who completed the most pitchers before reaching 5 points.

Increasing Difficulty

Each of these drills can be made more difficult with just a few small tweaks. As already mentioned, coaches can increase the distance between players or between the pitcher and the bullseye. Coaches can focus on pitching speed, or measuring accuracy against each other pitchers to create some friendly competition.

And if you'd like to see more free baseball drills and coaching tips, go here to watch a free video:

http://www.baseball-tutorials.com/vid/

Kenny Buford is a youth baseball coach, and the owner and publisher of Baseball-Tutorials.com, the web's #1 resource for baseball drills, tips, and practice ideas for youth and high school coaches.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kenny_Buford

===================

Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine Demo Video


Check out the Hurricane Hitting Machine: Derek Jeter Series:
Hurricane Hitting Machine - Homepage
15 Reasons To Buy a Hurricane Trainer
6 Questions Often Asked By Customers
Message to Parents From Coach Nick
Examples of Hurricane Hitting Drills
The Highly Acclaimed 20-Minute Hurricane Batting Practice Workout
Hurricane Batting Machine Video Clips
Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine

Baseball Pitching Tips - How to Get to Know a Hitter's Tendencies Very Quickly!

AdvancedSkillsTee.com

Baseball Coaching and Pitching Tips
By Larry Cicchiello

It is mandatory for baseball pitchers to find out the strengths and weaknesses of the baseball hitters they face. There are certain very clever things a pitcher can do. If the hitter takes a practice swing before facing you, pay attention to his practice swing! If he appears to be hitting an inside pitch with it, he is probably a pull hitter. If he appears to be hitting the ball the opposite way with his practice swing, chances are he likes to go the opposite way. If he appears to be hitting a high pitch, he probably likes the ball up. If he appears to be hitting a low pitch, you guessed it, he's probably a good low ball hitter. One of the best baseball pitching tips to remember is that professional baseball hitters, all the way down to very young players like to practice what they do well and not what they do NOT do well.This very often includes their practice swings.

Some Guidelines To Use BEFORE You Actually See The Hitter Swing:

Batter Has A Closed Stance. He probably likes the ball away from him and out over the plate. Find out if he can handle a pitch inside.

Batter Has An Open Stance. He probably likes the ball inside. Find out if he can handle the low and away strike.

Batter Stands Deep In The Box. I would be thinking primarily breaking balls.

Batter Stands Shallow In The Box. Well, if the batter wants to give me an extra couple of feet on my fastball, I'll take the extra foot or two he's giving me to see if he can catch up to my heater.

Batter Has His Hands Held High. Almost always likes the ball LOW, with very few exceptions! You can check it out for yourself right now. Put your hands up high right now, by your back ear and pretend you are holding a bat. Move your hands like you are swinging at a chest high fastball. It doesn't feel right, does it? Pitch him primarily up in the zone until he proves you to be wrong.

Batter Has The Bat Curled Around His Neck. Find out if he can handle a pitch that is up and in. His bat has to travel extremely far to hit that pitch well.

Some Thought Processes To Use AFTER You Have Seen The Hitter Swing:

Your first pitch is a real good fastball and he pulls it and hits a seed that's a foul about 350 feet from home plate. You now know there is a very good chance he loves the fast ball. You should strongly consider going off speed on your next pitch. The only risk is that if he's a good hitter, he might be thinking along with you after what he just did to your fast ball. (This is part of the chess match that takes place between a good pitcher and a good hitter.)

Good hitters are good hitters for a reason and that's because they are always thinking. OK, he has clobbered your first pitch fastball. I'm not saying that you should not go off speed but you do have another option, considering this guy appears to love the fastball. The thought process goes like this...OK, you love the fastball, well I'll give you another fastball. But this time it's going to be six inches or so off the outside corner. Remember, if he loves to hit the fastball, he may chase one out of the strike zone because he doesn't know if he'll get another one from you. After two fastballs, he may start to think that you are going to stay with your heater. You might then go off speed, on your third pitch. If this sounds like a chess match to you, it is because it IS a chess match that should be going on between a good pitcher and a good batter!

What If You Start The Batter Off With A Curve Ball?

You may start a hitter off with a curve ball and he may act like he's never seen a curve ball before. I experienced this first hand when I was pitching at the age of 15. I had a very successful outing in our championship game. A player on the other team was a feared and OUTSTANDING HITTER! I knew very little about him other than that EVERYBODY knew he was a tremendous hitter. Now please keep in mind the purpose of this article...I want to get to know him as quickly as possible. He had smoke coming out of his ears when he came up to the plate and I thought, "Oh boy, here we go." My first pitch to him was a slow curve ball. He swung down at the ball with the very unusual appearance that he was hammering a spike into the ground. I had him "chopping the wood," as it's referred too. I remember his timing was disrupted and literally saw the look of bewilderment on his face after the pitch. After this peculiar swing, I actually saw his eyes squint as he was shaking his head from left to right and right to left as if saying "no." Well, the only thing I knew about him was that he batted something ridiculous like 600. I now also knew, after only one pitch that he does NOT like my curve ball.

In two subsequent at bats, he hesitated and decided to swing at the last fraction of a second. He was 0-3 against me and did not come close to getting a hit off me. Please...I am not making fun of Danny nor am I bragging. I have always and still have total respect for everyone on the baseball field. The ONLY point I'm making here is for your benefit and NOT mine. The point is that I was able to learn a lot about this hitter after throwing one pitch!

He saw fastballs off the plate and medium speed or slow curve balls the entire game. I still had to show him the fast ball because he's a good hitter for a reason and he will make adjustments. If I threw him only curve balls, probably about the fifth one would go over the fence. He would progressively go from looking terrible to looking very good and that's why he's a very good hitter.

I have to be honest and level with you here. I told you I had a very successful outing and that's totally true. We lost the game 2-1 in extra innings. I had a two hit shutout going into the last inning. We led 1-0 in the last inning and I was starting to get tired. With one out, I walked a batter. I struck out the next batter on a fastball. So there is a runner on first base and two outs. No problem. The next batter hits a fairly easy grounder to second base. Our second baseman runs over about three steps to his left, is in front of the ball and it goes through his legs. (OUCH!) I should be celebrating a 1-0 victory with a 2 hit shutout! But instead, there are now runners on first and second and still two outs.

I still need one out and they have their second best hitter up. I threw him a "mistake," a high curve ball and he singled to left center to tie the game up. The next batter popped up to end the inning and I was done for the game, as the league rules required me to leave after six innings.

They scored in the first extra inning on a walk and then a double and beat us 2-1. It's amazing how I can remember the details from over forty years ago but I was heart broken and that's probably why I can remember it so well. I was very upset and emotional after the game and my father, God rest his soul, had a very nice chat with me. We lived less than a mile from the park but my father and I drove around for about twenty minutes before returning home to break the bad news to my mother and sisters. He kept dwelling on my solid performance and told me, "you pitched your heart out and that's all you can do." My father was great and made me feel a LITTLE better but this one hurt and my tears reflected just that. (Thanks for letting me share my heartbreaking story with you.)

OK, let's get back to knowing a batter quickly. Let's make sure we are clear on something. Remember that even if I see that a hitter does NOT like a pitch in a certain location, it does NOT mean that I can throw that same pitch over and over and over again and expect to be successful. Good hitters will make adjustments at the plate. I still have to show him other pitches and other locations also.

Be cautious that a batter doesn't start out one way and then when he is actually swinging, he changes. For example, a batter may have his bat curled around his head but when he's actually ready to hit, he changes and it's NOT curled any longer.

Another example is if a batter has an open stance. He may possibly close his stance just before getting ready to swing. You have to pay attention, just like a batter who takes your pitch and follows it all the way into the catcher's mitt to see how your pitch is moving.

Baseball pitching tips require clever use of the mind as well as the body and pitching is NOT simply getting the ball and throwing the pitch. Please make sure you learn a hitter's tendencies as quickly as possible!

Larry Cicchiello is the successful author of several very user friendly eBooks covering 320 topics on playing or coaching excellent baseball. ANY player, coach or parent who wants to help their child will be fully equipped! Check out some FREE baseball tips on hitting and FREE baseball pitching tips at LarryBaseball.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Larry_Cicchiello

Thanks to our sponsors:

===Advertisement from our sponsor:=====

Baseball2u.com and CoachesBest.com is your online super store for baseball batting cages, pitching machines and protective screens and nets. This fully licensed company has a full time staff to help you from 8:00 to 5:00 CST. You may order securely online or by phone, toll free, at 1-877-431-4487.
Check out these categories that are featured at Baseball2u.com.
Jugs Complete Packages
Batting Cages
60' Portable Batting Cage
55' Portable Batting Cage
70' Portable Batting Cage
Extender Batting Cage 30'
Jugs Pitching Machines
Iron Mike Pitching Machines
BATA Pitching Machines
Heater Pitching Machines
Granada Pitching Machines
Phantom Pitching Machines
…and if you are looking for Youth Training Equipment, Advanced Baseball Training Equipment, Training Bats, and Pitching & Throwing Trainers, or Portable Mounds, they have those too!
Plus, they have one the internet's largest selections of Baseball Training and Coaching DVDs and Books. Make sure to chweck our their CLEARANCE DEPARTMENT for rock bottom prices on top quality equipment.

Baseball Pitching Tips - How to Hide Your Grip is Critical!

By Larry Cicchiello

For something that's very important, I'm quite surprised hiding your grip isn't talked about or taught more. How many things can be more detrimental for a pitcher than tipping off his pitches to opposing players and their coaches? Trust me, players, coaches and managers will look for opposing pitchers that tip off their pitches!

For decades, I have heard several times of a pitcher who has been very successful and all of a sudden he is hit very hard for four or five straight outings. Then he gets back on the right track and you hear he was tipping off his pitches and that's why he was getting hit hard. And some of these pitchers were outstanding professional pitchers so that shows what a common problem it is.

He can be tipping the pitches off in several ways and quite often it's because he is not hiding his grip on the ball for his different pitches. If you are using the full windup, make sure that even when you are raising your hands and pivoting on the rubber, you keep the inside of your glove facing your chest! If you are pitching from the stretch position, make sure that when you come set, you keep the inside of your glove facing your chest.

It's when raising the hands and pivoting on the rubber that alot of pitchers have a tendency to open up the glove and that is advertising your grip.

Some pitchers start with a fancy grip before every pitch and then sometimes switch to another grip at the last moment. An example would be starting with a circle changeup grip every single pitch and then changing the grip at the last second to the one you really want to use.

You can play some "mind games" with the batter also. If the batter knows that you have a very good changeup, you can move your hand around on the ball for a second or two, and lead him to believe that you might be going to your circle change grip. Then you can surprise him with a good, old fashioned four-seamer in on his hands.

One pitch later, you can move your hand on the ball again and this time you do throw the changeup. I'm not saying to do this on every pitch, but on occasion, it will work well for you and annoy the batter. Why not give the batter a little more to think about? He may start over thinking, outthink himself and become annoyed.

As a pitcher, I most certainly want to annoy a batter in any way I can.

Larry Cicchiello is the successful author of several very user friendly eBooks covering 320 topics on playing or coaching excellent baseball. ANY player, coach or parent who wants to help their child will be fully equipped! Check out some FREE baseball tips on hitting and FREE baseball pitching tips at LarryBaseball.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Larry_Cicchiello


Check out our sponsors:

===Advertisement from our sponsor:=====
Baseball2u.com/CoachesBest.com is the ultimate online baseball training and coaching store. With over 1400 products organized into categories Baseball2u.com makes finding that baseball training product easy and simple. Order securely online or by phone. Baseball2u.com is a fully licensed company and has a full time staff available from 8:00 to 5:00 CST. Their toll free customer service number is 1-877-431-4487.

The Categories they have are: BatAction Hitting Machines, Hurricane Hitting Machines, Batting Cages, Pitching Machines, Jugs Equipment, Game and Practice Baseballs, Protective Practice Screens and Nets, Portable Pitching Mounds, Baseball DVDs & Books, Clearance Items on Sales, NEDCO Bataction Replacement Parts, Baseball Training Equipment, Youth Baseball Training Equipment, Training Bats, Pitching & Throwing Trainers, Defensive Trainers, SKLZ Hurricane Replacement Parts and Much Much More! Visit Baseball2U.com today!

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Check us out on Twitter:

Blog4Coaches
Blogs4Coaches.com

Baseball Pitching Tips - How to Find the Right Grip For Your Changeup!

AST - AdvancedSkillsTee.com

By Larry Cicchiello

There are hundreds of different grips that pitchers use on many different pitches. You really have to experiment and find out what is the most comfortable for you. This definitely applies to throwing the changeup.

I would venture that 95% of all pitchers, at any level of play, use one of the following three grips for the changeup.

"Circle Change"

One of the very consistent things on the circle change is to remove index finger to the inside of the ball. The index finger is one of your two "power fingers" and you're not looking for power when throwing the changeup. The other "power finger" is the middle finger. The index finger and thumb form a circle or an okay sign on the side of the baseball and that's why it called what it is. A very common grip used by several professionals is with the middle and ring fingers on the seams like a 2-seamer. The index finger is curled on the side and rests either against the thumb or if you prefer, just next to it. Some pitchers prefer to put the index finger against the thumb nail. You can grip it like a two-seamer with the middle and ring fingers going along the seams. One of the advantages of the circle change is that quite often it has movement down and away. One drawback is the circle change is tough to master and must be practiced often. Another drawback is that youngster's sometimes struggle throwing it because their fingers are not long enough. It can also be gripped across the seams. Like I said, find out what's more comfortable in your hand.

The circle change can also be gripped similar to a four-seamer, having the fingers cross over the seams instead of the fingers riding the seams, forming a tic-tac-toe appearance with your fingers and the baseball. Some pitchers grip the ball a little deeper in their hand to slow it down a little. Many pitchers release it with their wrist fairly stiff and like they are pulling down a window shade.

"Choke Change"

As the name implies, the ball is "choked" back further in the hand.

Generally, the more the ball is "choked" back in the hand, the slower the speed because the ball will not leave your hand as freely. There are many different grips used but the important part is the choking. Sometimes the choke change can be a little tough to control. The pressure points are on the first joints of the fingers and the thumb. Instead of having the loose, relaxed wrist like on the fastball, hold your wrist stiffer and straighter. A big advantage with the "choke change" is that many pitchers find it very comfortable. Let's face it, it's the normal grip like their fastball but it's simply pushed back deeper in the hand. For some, it's easy to learn.

The only real disadvantage to the choke change is that sometimes, before you learn it and get command of it, it may be high in the strike zone and that's not where you want to be. Do you know what happens to high changeups? They never make it to the catcher. They usually make it over the left center or right center field fence. Don't worry if you are bouncing some of them in the dirt but never miss high with your changeup!

"Pitch Fork"

This is my personal favorite! Why is it my favorite? First of all, it feels very comfortable in my hand. I find it very easy to throw over the plate, even though I'm an old bag at age 56. I played around with it while playing catch with my son and in no time it all, I was able to throw it pretty well. If I were still pitching, I would have to perfect the height as sometimes I am up in the zone.

I figure half the battle is over already because I can throw it over the plate, and now I just need to work on my height. This is the one I would teach to a youngster! If the youngster feels it is NOT comfortable, then I would experiment with some of the other grips instead. Like I said, one size does not fit all and YOU have to find the grip that is most comfortable for YOU!

The grip with the pitch fork change is like a four-seamer with the horse shoe either facing inside or to the outside. Keep the ball choked back in the hand and don't break your wrist when throwing it and keep the wrist straight. Follow through with your hand going straight down.

Once again, always remember that catchers don't catch high changeups. Spectators in the outfield seats catch them.

Larry Cicchiello is the successful author of several very user friendly eBooks covering 320 topics on playing or coaching excellent baseball. ANY player, coach or parent who wants to help their child will be fully equipped! Check out some FREE baseball tips on hitting and FREE baseball pitching tips at LarryBaseball.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Larry_Cicchiello


==================================


Thanks to our Sponsor: Advanced Skills Tee

AdvancedSkillsTee.com
Advanced Skills Tee at Baseball2u.com
Advanced Skills Tee Reviews
Advanced Skills Tee Product Description
Used By Over 1,200 High Schools and Colleges!

How to Crush Opponents With a 79mph Fastball

By Nate Barnett

Watching the 47 year old Jamie Moyer throw 79mph fastballs to MLB hitters and make them look silly is one of the most fun things to witness in all of sports. Early in the 2010 season Moyer tossed a gem of a game against the Atlanta Braves. Complete game, two-hit shutout. Jamie Moyer has become the oldest player in history to throw a shutout in a Big League game.

After the game, Moyer didn't talk about much; he never does. It's all part of the job. He goes about his business calm and composed outing after outing. But, towards the end of the post-game interview, Moyer offered a gem that I have to pass on to you.

He said, "I feel like there's plenty of time when I retire to reflect on things. I'm sure at home we'll talk about it tonight. It'll be a topic of conversation. As far as sitting back, tomorrow I'll probably sit and not necessarily think about what happened, but kind of rehearse the game in mind, go through the game again and be able to see pitches, and thoughts will come back.

"A lot of times at night that happens for me. I usually go sleepless when I pitch - win, lose or draw. It's usually a long night for me, but it can be fun, because it's nice to reenact things and see things. Maybe a thought that went through your head comes back. Something may come to mind.

You don't throw two plus decades in the Bigs without a solid mental game. Moyer reveals his usage of visualization through his mental replay system. The key is that Moyer plays some of the game over in his mind win or lose. Many young guys finish a game and never revisit the feelings and experiences in a game. The reason these experiences can be so valuable is that you will constantly stay in touch with what you need to change or what you need to remember for next time. Combine that and a 79mph fastball and you're golden.

Nate Barnett is co-owner of The Pitching Academy.

You can find The Pitching Academy's articles, blog, and videos on baseball pitching workouts, and pitching grips when you visit the website.

The Pitching Academy's pitching mechanics DVD.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nate_Barnett

==============================

Baseball2u.com and CoachesBest.com is your online super store for baseball batting cages, pitching machines and protective screens and nets. This fully licensed company has a full time staff to help you from 8:00 to 5:00 CST. You may order securely online or by phone, toll free, at 1-877-431-4487.
Check out these categories that are featured at Baseball2u.com.
Jugs Complete Packages
Batting Cages
60' Portable Batting Cage
55' Portable Batting Cage
70' Portable Batting Cage
Extender Batting Cage 30'
Jugs Pitching Machines
Iron Mike Pitching Machines
BATA Pitching Machines
Heater Pitching Machines
Granada Pitching Machines
Phantom Pitching Machines
…and if you are looking for Youth Training Equipment, Advanced Baseball Training Equipment, Training Bats, and Pitching & Throwing Trainers, or Portable Mounds, they have those too!
Plus, they have one the internet's largest selections of Baseball Training and Coaching DVDs and Books. Make sure to chweck our their CLEARANCE DEPARTMENT for rock bottom prices on top quality equipment.

Sports Psychology and Baseball Pitching - How to Be a Better Pitcher - Fifteen Simple, Proven Tips

AdvancedSkillsTee.com
By Jay Granat

Over the years, I have counseled a number of outstanding pitchers who have wanted to take their game to the next level. These pitchers have been professionals, high school players, minor league players, college players and little league players.

They all want to get better and they want to learn how to pitch in the zone more often.

Here are some of the tips that I have communicated to them.

1. Get some training in self-hypnosis, visualization and meditation. These skills will make you a better pitcher. Know what you need to do to ease yourself into the zone.
2. Use a pre-pitch routine which builds confidence, focus and relaxation into your mind and your body. Similarly, know how to use time in the dugout and the bullpen to stay mentally ready and mentally tough.
3. Study hitters carefully and keep accurate records on what works and what does not work. Too many pitchers and coaches fail to do this. Use and analyze video and relevant statistics frequently.
4. If you can learn to deliver the ball from different positions. Being able to throw overhand, side and three quarters can make you a more deceptive pitcher.
5. Know your strengths and build up your weaknesses.
6. Speed is important, but having movement, break and variety or pitches are also essential skills for a great pitcher.
7. Decide if you are a strike out pitcher, a fly out pitcher or a ground out pitcher.
8. Practice throwing balls as often as you practice throwing strikes. You need to be able to waste pitches and entice hitters into swinging at bad pitches.
9. Work with different coaches, so you can master different aspects of pitching.
10. Determine if you are better as a starter or as a relief pitcher as early in your career as possible.
11. Develop a great rapport and working relationship with your catcher, coaches and and teammates.
12. Erase mistakes from your mind.
13. Believe it or not, you can learn something from every pitch.
14. Every pitch has to have a mission or a purpose.
15. The most important pitch you will throw is the next pitch.

Jay P. Granat, Ph.D. is a psychotherapist and the founder of http://www.stayinthezone.com. He is also the author of How To Get Into The Zone With Sport Psychology And Self-Hypnosis http://www.stayinthezone.com/shop-stay-in-the-zone.html?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=55
He can be reached at 888 580-ZONE.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jay_Granat

Sponsors:

Shop CoachesBest.com for your baseball coaching needs including baseball training aids, training videos, and other coaching supplies. Check out the Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting machine by SKLZ at HurricaneTrainer.com.

See the “Original” Rotational Hitting Machine at BatAction.com. Are you looking for the perfect trainer to teach proper timing and swing mechanics? You can stop looking and go to BatAction.com.