Pitching Strategies

For
Catchers & Pitchers

Source: “Coaching Pitchers.” Joe McFarland, 1999

“A great catcher is a smart Catcher…”
~He knows the strengths and weaknesses of the pitcher
through continuous workouts in the bullpen.

~He knows the strengths and weaknesses of the hitter

through working with a coach and studying hitter charts
between innings.
“A great catcher is a Team Leader…”

~He takes charge in the field, and is a student of the

game always learning through each situation and
hitter.

~He works with the pitcher and his coach to develop a

successful game plan on how to pitch to each hitter.
 “Strategy Intangibles”
1.) Where and When to Throw the Fastball.
2.) Where and When to Throw the Breaking Ball.
3.) Where and When to Throw the Change-up.
4.) Disrupting a Hitter’s Rhythm.
5.) Pitch Location.
6.) Pitching To A Hitter’s Weaknesses.
7.) Working Ahead of The Hitter.
8.) Walks will Haunt
9.) Knowing the Game Situation and The Pitcher.
 The Fastball
• Being able to throw the fastball with effectiveness is the foundation to
becoming a successful pitcher.

• The key to having a good fastball is mastering the control of the pitch,
followed by movement of the pitch, and finally velocity.

• Having movement of the fastball is a very effective way to get hitters out.
One inch of movement is worth 3 miles per hour of velocity.

• “Pitch in to WIN!!!” A 77 mph fastball thrown inside is essentially the

same as an 80 mph fastball thrown down the center of the plate.

• Using different grips to throw the fastball (2 seam vs 4 seam), and

changing speeds of the fastball are effective ways to offset a hitters timing.
 The Breaking Ball
When to use the Breaking ball
1.) When the hitter pulls his head out
2.) Anytime the hitter is aggressively
thinking fastball (1st pitch of an at
bat, 2-0, 2-1, or 1-0 count)
3.) On a left handed hitter who hits
the ball the opposite way
When not to use the Breaking ball
1.) When the hitter is obviously
overmatched by a fastball.
2.) When the hitter has a slow bat.
3.) In a running situation. A fastball
will give the catcher the best
chance a throwing a runner out.

4.) Right after a breaking ball was

thrown for a strike. Most hitters
will guess fastball in that
situation.
 The Change-up
When to use the Change-up
1.) When the hitter takes a big stride.
2.) When the batter aggressively
pulls the ball.
3.) When the hitter’s front full pull
out.
4.) As a first pitch when the hitter is
an aggressive first pitch hitter.
When not to use the Change-up
1.) When the hitter is overmatched
by the pitchers fastball.
2.) When an opposite field hitter is
up.
3.) In a running situation.
 Disrupting the Hitter’s rhythm
• Get the Pitcher to Work FAST.
1.) Do not confuse working fast with rushing a pitch.
2.) Getting the Pitcher to work fast will usually get the defense to play better
behind him.
3.) Umpires like to call strikes when a fast-working pitcher is throwing
4.) Working fast will generally frustrate a hitter and affect their rhythm.
5.) The faster a pitcher can get his defense off the field, the sooner they can
hit and score runs.
6.) When a pitcher is working fast, a game can be played in a shorter time,
helps out everyone on the team.

• Freeze the hitter to offset their timing

• Play “mind games” with the hitter to frustrate them.
Have the pitcher shake you off, give different looks,
etc.
• Don’t allow a pitcher to become Predictable.
 Pitch Location
• Pitch location or control is the most important aspect of
pitching!!!

• All hitters have weaknesses. A pitcher with good control

can throw to those spots and exploit a hitter.

• A good pitcher learns to throw a ball out of the strike zone

effectively.

• “Get ahead of the count, and get the hitter to chase a ball
out of the zone for an out.” (Example, bounce an offspeed
pitch occasionally with 2 strikes.)
 Pitch Location
Hard-Hit Chart

***NOTE***
This chart is an average determined by grading each batted ball on the following 1-5 scale. Data was gathered from 5
years of Division 1 Baseball.
1- Slow-roller or pop-up to the IF 2- Weakly hit ball or pop-up to the OF
3- Solid hit ball or medium depth flyball 4- Well-hit ball or deep fly ball
5- Home-Run
 Pitch To A Hitter’s Weakness
Hitter Habits Out Pitch
• Study the hitter and check for flaws in Sweeping bat FB In
their swing. Loop in Swing FB In
Slow Bat FB In
Hitch in Swing FB Up
• Consider several things when calling
Step in bucket Breaking Ball Away
pitches
Steps to ball FB In
~Is the hitter a good fastball Lunges Ball Up in the Zone
hitter? 1-2 count, on heels Away
~Does the hitter swing first Very Aggressive Change Speeds

pitch? Good FB Hitter CB, Change-up

Good CB Hitter FB
~Is the Hitter Aggressive?
Hits Oppo FB In
~Will he swing at bad pitches? Pull Hitter Outside Corner
Guess Hitter Mix up pitches
Stands far from plate Outside Corner
Stands close to plate Pitch Inside
Golf Swing FB Up
Hits off front foot CB or FB Up
 Working Ahead
• A good hitter will generally look for a COUNT Batting Average
certain pitch or force the pitcher to make a
0-2 .118
mistake. Getting ahead in the count takes
away this option. 1-2 .151
2-2 .169
• Getting ahead of the hitter will put the First Pitch .186
pitcher in control and force the hitter to hit
what is given to him and become a 3-2 .192
defensive hitter. 0-1 .199
3-0 .267
• A good pitcher will throw a first pitch
strike at a minimum of 60% of the time. 1-1 .269
2-1 .291
• The “Batting Averages on Specific 3-1 .329
Counts” chart at the right were gathered
1-0 .342
from 5 years of Division I Baseball.
2-0 .386
 “Walks Will Haunt”
• The Percentage of Walks
% Of Walks That Score
that will generally score is
between 20-40% at the
college level and higher Total Walks 1129
at the high school level. Walks That Scored 310 (27%)

   

• There are times when a Leadoff Walks(any Inning) 243

walk can be effective. Leadoff Walks that scored 95 (39%)

Example, runner on 2nd, 2  

9th - Hitter Walks 87

outs, and the team’s best
9th - Hitter Walks that Scored 36 (41%)
hitter is up.
Data gathered from 5 years of Division 1 College Baseball
 Pitch to the Situation
• Understand each game situation and alter the pitch strategy towards that
situation.
– Need a groundball for a double play
– Have a substantial lead, trade runs for outs
– 1st and 3rd situation, expect them to run
– Definite bunt situation
– ETC.
• Call pitches geared towards a certain pitcher’s strengths
– What is the pitcher’s best pitch?
– What pitch is working at this point in the game?
– What pitches aren’t working at this point in the game?

• Be flexible when calling pitches. If a pitcher feels a pitch, let him throw it!
 ROCORI Pitching

“PITCHING is hitting their bats with

strikes, and letting them get
themselves out…”
~Russ Huls