Newport Baseball

Greyhound Pitching Manuel

Pitcher Progression Program

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Phase I (ground 50%)

Step 1 25 throws @ 60 Feet
Step 2 25 throws @ 60 Feet

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Phase II (ground/mound 75%)

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Phase III (mound 80-90%, off speed every 5th pitch, 10 from stretch)

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Step 1 35 throws @ 60 feet

Step 1 35 throws @ 60 feet

Step 1 45 throws @ 60 feet

Step 1 45 throws @ 60 feet

Phase IV (mound 90-100%. Off speed every 5th pitch, 20 from stretch)
Step 1 55 throws @ 60 Feet
Step 1 55 throws @ 60 Feet

Phase V (mound 100%, off speed every 3rd pitch, 25 from stretch)
Step 1 65 throws @ 60 Feet
Step 1 65 throws @ 60 Feet

Phase VI (mound 100%, off speed every 3rd pitch, 30 from stretch)
Step 1 75 throws @ 60 Feet
Step 1 75 throws @ 60 Feet

5 Pitching Zone Areas

2
5

Zone
1
2
3
4
5

RHH
Up Outer 1/2
Up & In
Low & Away
Down & In
Meat = Stay Away!

LHH
Up & In
Up Outer 1/2
Down & In
Low & Away
Meat = Stay Away!

Pitch Sequencing

1
2

Pitch Sequencing:
Slants
High & In
Low & Out
High & Out
Low & In

Challenge and Fade

Fastball Inside
Fastball Inside
Fastball High In
Curveball Outer part

Week Week Week Week Week Week

1
2
3
4
5
6
Mechanics
Bullpens
Pickoffs / 3 Point
Picks
Fielding Position
Secondary Pitch
Power Pitch
0-2 Count
5 Zone Areas
Backing Up Bases
Rundowns

Pitching Master Plan Checklist

Give Your Team a chance to win every ball game! Pitchers motto

Physical Keys to Success

1.
2.
3.
4.

Locate fastball on both sides of the plate.

Develop a changeup that can be thrown behind in the count.
Develop a breaking ball that can be thrown behind in the count.
Control the running game
- Stretch delivery
- Pick mechanics
- Pick schemes (1-Sign taking 2-Hands together 3- Hands set @ belt)
- LHP (looks), RHP (set times)
5. Fielding your position
- Fielding plays, Zones
- Pop up responsibilities
- Backing up bases (3B, Home)
3 Basic Pitching Mechanics
1. Balance Lift & Load (Lead Leg)
2. Fingers on Top Show ball to CF
3. Pitch Downhill Lead Arm (Where is it and where is it going?)
Pitching Goals
-

5 innings every outing

Allow 3 runs or less every outing
No leadoff walks to start a inning
No errors coming off mound
Pickoff 1 runner a game
Get a pitch off every 13-15 seconds
More Ks than BBs every outing
4 Pitches or less a batter

4 Pitches every Greyhound should have:

1.
2.
3.
4.

4 Seam FB (that can be thrown inside)

2 Seam FB (that can be thrown outside)
Breaking ball (Fish Hook grip Must be thrown in the zone to in the zone
Changeup (EGG SHELL grip Practiced at long toss distance)

Pitching Cardinal Sins

1. 0-2 Base hit (Waste One)
2. 0-2 to 3-2 progression on hitter

3. 2 walks in one inning

4. 2 out walk
5. 3-0 count to any hitter (Stay Ahead)
6.

Positive Checklist
Concentration
Mind Power (Positive thinking)
Confidence
Relaxation
Aggressiveness
Tempo (Comfortably quick)
Competition
Dream of a no hitter (VICTORY)
Stay within ability (What kind of Pitcher are you?)

Mechanics

Stance
-Athletic position with slight knee flexion (GunSlinger)
-Weight evenly distributed
-Glove = Fingers up/Pocket near face
Transfer

-45 degree step / No rocker straight back

-Weight should remain on ball of foot/ heel off ground to reduce head movement
-When pivoting, pivot foot parallel to rubber and locked before going forward.
Balance Position
-Lift & Load instead of kicking it (Post Position)
- As you lift your leg you knees should scrape each other (Keeps you narrow)
-Toe pointed downward
-Shoulders should be level and your eyes fixed on target
-Glove tuck /Arm Bar (Keep from opening up)
Break / Approach
A. Lead Arm
-Glove need to stay inside of your body
B. Arm Swing
-Should be straight down and back Show ball to CF)
-Elbow must be above shoulder when stride foot lands
C. Stride
-Should go down toward rubber before going to plate (Prevents LAG)
-Hand break should occur as soon as stride foot starts down
-Stride foot should land closed or at 45 Degree angle
-70% of weight should be on your back leg after stride foot lands (Power)
D. Delivery / Follow Through
-Two different Methods (Glove tuck or Arm Bar)
- Stride leg will firm up as you deliver
-Back heel should go to the sky and chest should be bent over you lead leg on release
-Finished balanced and square to the plate with your hand outside your front knee

There are two basic aspects involved in controlling the running game:
1. Physical - Picks (3 Points), Stretch deliveries (Slide step), Variant Tempo
2. Mental Running Counts (Breaking ball counts), who runs, why they run; when to pick
when to pitch. (first threat runners, count runners, non-runners)

P.F.P.
1. Comebackers
2. Hurry Plays (ball moving, ball stopped)
3. Double play starts (1-6-3, 1-4-3, 1-2-3)
4. Flip plays
5. Pitcher / 1st Base communication (Any ball that will make 1B move right or on grass=P has
base)
6. Covering home plate on wild pitches/passed balls (Pre-pitch understanding)
7. Backing up bases (Pre-pitch understanding) 3B/Home
8. Pop-up responsibilities (Who has Priority?)

Classifying Hitters:
Body Type-Strong or weak
Stance-not as important unless outrageous setup
*Stride-where does his stride foot go (out, straight, in) where are his hands and body (body drift)
Approach- Swing plane (short, loop, long)
-

Regardless of hitters weaknesses, you always want to pitch t your strengths first.

Get batters to swing at first pitch; 63% of ball put into play are outs. (Use the
Defense) (Expands zone for breaking balls) (Keeps pitch count down)
Remember: Longer Abs = More comfortable hitters!

The Role of Pitchers

Create Swing & Miss

Order
of
Progres
sion

Create Soft Contact

Create Contact