What’s the difference between command and control in baseball pitching?

Command and control are two more examples of pitching vocabulary that can cause confusion. At the NPA, we have unique definitions for each. Command is used to describe the ability to consistently execute a certain pitch type, or as a 'command pitch' that a pitcher can trust to locate whenever necessary. Most developing pitchers start without a command pitch, until they can consistently harness a fastball. But by the time a player reaches the majors, he usually needs to have command of three different pitches to keep hitters off balance. Control is what we use to describe a pitcher’s ability to locate a pitch at any given time, as stuff will vary throughout the season or during a game. A pitcher might have exceptional control of his curveball today, but when he is faced with a jam and runners on the corners, he might go to his command-pitch fastball that he knows he can locate low in the zone. Kevin Goldstein has offered other definitions of command and control, with control representing the ability to avoid walks, and command defined as locating pitches within the zone, and hitting specific targets. I think that Kevin’s definitions are outstanding, and like the NPA versions, they describe two unique aspects of pitch execution. Ideally, we can use Kevin’s definitions in conjunction with the NPA’s to better describe the ability to locate a baseball.

Nolan Ryan was famous for pitching a baseball at speeds that exceeded 100 miles per hour. How long would a ba

Nolan Ryan was famous for pitching a baseball at speeds that exceeded 100 miles per hour. How long would a baseball take to travel 60 feet 6 inches--the distance from the pitcher's rubber to home plate--at a speed of 100 miles per hour?

It would take 0.413182 second for the trip, and be traveling at 146.66666667 feet per second.
.

Why do i get a strange forearm pain after pitching in baseball?

Its not inflammation ive taken medicine in for that nothing has worked.
Its not a curve ball problem because I hardly throw curves.
Its a strange pain that runs threw a vein into my ring finger on the posterior side of my arm after pitching in baseball. it only hurts if i don't throw on rest. And it hurts after pitching or throwing really hard not during. Whats the problem?

bad muscle problems, rest for a week with ice onn it every now and then and maybe a painkiller or two, depends how you feel. if not better after this ask your Doctor.

How do you improve your baseball pitching control?

I'm 14, can pitch about 75 MPH on my fastball, but my control is horrible. I can get it into the strike zone but my pitches are off center. If I try to pitch in the bottom right corner, it'll probably end up belt high on the right corner.

First of all, control is the key to success!!!! I don't know what kind of form you have but that has a lot to do with control. now if you watch most major league pitchers, everyone has a little bit of a difference, IE delivery, leg kick but all get to the same spot when throwing the ball. When you watch a major league throw a bullpen, they hit their spots all the time because they have practiced their delivery and have a consistent release point. When I have someone that is struggling with control--it really results from a couple of things.
1. They are not staying strong on back foot---either off-balance, leaning toward plate, on heel or toe.
2. Not concentrating on target. i used to practice picking up a piece of dirt and lineing it up with the catchers target--kind of like bowling--so guys look at third base in wind-up and wonder why they can't throw strikes--Concentrate!!!
3. Release point--not releasing ball in front of front foot--arm is dragging.
4. Aiming the ball and not throwing through target.

There are more but the big thing is you need to practice your mechanics. I will give you the basics of pitching mechanics you need to take this and make it your own. Practice this year, even in the off-season and you should see better results by your freshman season. God bless

Instructor: Chad Sadowski
Pitching

1.Balance position-straight up and down with no bend in back leg and front leg at its highest position. Make sure front leg is crossing over back leg. No leaning, all weight over back leg. Head is directly over back foot--Balance on ball of foot not on heel or toe. (Practice by holding position for intervals of 30 seconds.)

2.Hand separation before momentum- Take the ball with thumb down, it should only be about 6inchesout of glove before you start going forward. Glove hand starts to move up--elbow pointed toward target. Pick up target and then onto step three. I like to use reference points. I try to look at a piece of dirt or something and line it up to my catcher’s target, (like bowling lines on lane). Practice step one then right into step two. Make sure no momentum toward plate at this point.

3.Rotation with arm at its highest but strongest position- First lead with front leg keeping torso back and closed onto target. Front foot should land comfortably right in the middle (not on ball or front) at 45 degree angle. Also front knee at a great bend. Front glove hand should be up pointing to plate with no shoulder turn. Back leg is straight with foot still in contact w/ ground not on toe. Fingers are on top of ball and arm is parallel with ground at highest but strongest position. Make sure you have a good arm arc--you started with the slight separation then continue back with thumb always down and fingers pointing toward second base. When landed arm should be strong not completely straight and fingers toward third base on top of ball.

4.Finish explosive/transfer of weight- glove hand is thrusted down, fingers still on top of ball releasing the ball over the front foot. Key to velocity is the transfer of back leg weight to front foot. Front knee was bent on land but now should be straight with front foot flat (never on toe!) Finish through the front foot flat! Don’t collapse back leg. Then pitching arm should finish to the ground and touch your back lat. Your back is parallel with ground. Back leg should not drag but should be thrust into air. End with back leg parallel with front foot in a ready field position. Important that you don't follow-through by thinking finger toward target but rather down and through your target, don’t aim the ball. Make sure you use your entire body to decelerate your arm--For instance--watch major leaguers on their follow through. They aren't off-balance and rarely falling off-either way.

Little keys-

·In Practice, pitch with a purpose- 6 out, 6 in, 2 doubles (same side), 2 hard in- soft away (fb in, ch away or sl away). Follow a routine to get results.
·Always practice slide step. Make sure you use your lower half.
·Practice picking up spot on dirt then target. (Step two)
·Sometimes with two strikes set up next pitch, hard in then soft away or hard in and hard away, soft away hard in. etc.
·Throw with a purpose, 20 pitches at a 100% is better than 50 pitches at 75%

baseball Tip & Clip #24

Coach Marty Schupak & www.BaseballCoachOne.com present another important youth baseball tip for coaches, parents, and players. Visit www.BaseballCoachOne.com for more youth sports tips and to browse through a wide collection of sports instructional DVDs.

Duration : 2 min

»Read full story

Technorati Tags: baseball

Whats the difference between pitching a softball and a baseball?

Baseball players pitch like sideways (i dont know how to explain it) and softball players pitch some weird way i dont get.

A softball player pitches the ball almost underhand but they have the windmill added into it. It is also is faster than a baseball. Then baseball is overhand and is basically like throwing the ball.

How much Is former Baseball pitching Ace and Texas Rangers General Manager’s estimated financial worth?

Nolan played 26 years of big league ball, he was always one of the higher paid player's, then he started a food company that produced "Nolan Ryan Beef," a company that has done very well in some spots. Later he bought a Minor League Baseball Team that sells out most of the time, and no telling what else Nolan has done with his money.

Somewhere between $1 and a billion. Other than that none of your biz. Why don't you call him and ask.

Baseball Tip & Clip #13

Coach Marty Schupak & www.BaseballCoachOne.com present another important youth baseball tip for coaches, parents, and players. Visit www.BaseballCoachOne.com for more youth sports tips and to browse through a wide collection of sports instructional DVDs.

Duration : 2 min 25 sec

»Read full story

Technorati Tags: baseball

Outthinking the Batter When Pitching In Baseball

A boy may have a strong arm and know all the mechanics of pitching, but if he doesn't think about the hitter's weaknesses and strengths, he'll become nothing more than a "thrower" and will not help his team much.

A pitcher, even more than a catcher or manager, will know which of his deliveries the batter can or cannot hit. That is, if he studies the hitter constantly. This is just as true in Little League ball as it is in the Major Leagues. As a matter of fact, the younger the hitters are, the more faults they have. Thus, the young pitcher has a great advantage if he thinks about the hitters. Here are some general principles to follow.

Try to get "ahead" of the batter with the first pitch. That doesn't mean to groove the ball waist high and over the center of the dish. That means get the ball in the strike zone where you think the batter is weakest. If the batter stands so far away from the plate that his bat will not reach the outside corner, there is only one thing to do - pour that fast ball over the outside! If the hitter crowds the plate, fire it over his fists! Now then, if he looks strong at the plate and you know nothing about him, your best pitch is always low and outside or high and inside. Once around the league, the average pitcher should know something about the hitters. Don't worry about not learning all there is to know about every hitter. If you find one or two with weaknesses and can get them out consistently, you've made a good start.

The "situation" (as covered in Chapter 16) tells the pitcher a great deal about what to throw. If he expects a sacrifice, for example, he should pitch high, which will increase the possibility of a pop-up.

If a runner on 3rd streaks for home on a "suicide squeeze" play, he has to keep the ball away from the batter and put it where the catcher can make the tag. (Throwing at the feet of a right-handed batter is recommended; pitch-out if a lefty is at the plate.)

If the pitcher suspects a steal, he shouldn't throw a slow curve but stick to the fast ball.

When a pitcher has a 3-ball 2-strike count on a hitter, he should go to his best pitch. If his "best" is the curve, use the curve. It it's the fast ball, use the fast ball. Remember, though, that the "best pitch" may vary from game to game.

Try not to throw the same pitch twice in a row. Change speeds. Move the ball around the strike zone, always shooting at the corners. In doing this, your objective is to upset the hitter's timing. This is especially important when the pitcher faces the league's best hitters. The long foul, remember, is just another strike.

The pitcher who gets two quick strikes on the hitter should "waste" the next one by putting it where the batter can't possibly hit it.

Don't curve ball a weak hitter! Don't let up on a weak hitter! If the hitter is really weak, the fast ball can overpower him usually. If you throw the curve, you're throwing a slow speed pitch and it may be the only one this hitter can get his bat on.

If you're getting a hitter out regularly with one pitch, don't start experimenting with another.

If you're striking a lot of batters out and the game is going well for you, keep that pitching foot on the rubber and pitch as fast as the umpire will let you. On the other hand, if things are going bad, stall all you can to "cool off" the opposition.

Jimmy Cox
http://www.articlesbase.com/baseball-articles/outthinking-the-batter-when-pitching-in-baseball-134111.html

Baseball Training for Pitching – The Designated Hitter

Baseball Training for Pitching - The Designated Hitter (DH) is a life-like, heavy-duty polyethylene silhouette figure of a batter who stands in at the plate in place of a real batter. This product and more available at http://baseballtips.com/dh.html

Duration : 2 min 38 sec

»Read full story

Technorati Tags: baseball