PITCHING REMINDERS WORK AT IT!!!!!

BASEBALL HEMMINGFORD: LEARN IT; LOVE IT...BASEBALL HEMMINGFORD: LEARN IT; LOVE...BASEBALL HE

BASIC GRIPS (ages 6-12)

CHANGE-UP

Same idea as the fastball, but have the ball as far back in your hand as possible. The idea is to choke the ball, since the more skin surface there is on the ball, the slower it will travel when released.

FOUR-SEAM FASTBALL

TWO-SEAM FASTBALL

Hold the ball out towards the fingertips and across both sets of stitches, or seams (above). Make sure your index and middle fingers feel and gently press the outside seam.

Hold the ball out towards the fingertips and  have your index and middle fingers along the seams. Learn to vary the pressure of your fingers on the stitching.

(FRONT VIEW)

For better control and more movement, try to keep the ball cushioned on top of the thumb and ring finger, with the power fingers positioned directly on top of the ball.

DELIVERY POSITION ONE: The Ready

Position both feet on the pitching rubber. Your body should be well balanced in a vertical line and square to the target. Find the grip on the ball in your glove. Leave your plant foot (the one on the same side as you throw from) on the rubber and - with a slight rocking movement  but without bending - step slightly back with the stride foot. Remain well balanced and vertical.

COUNT "one"

DELIVERY POSITION ONE: The Ready (continued)

MENTALLY COUNTING "one", "two", "three" and "four" at the stages as shown in blue will eventually condition your delivery to be the same every time. This will lead to better control.

As the stride foot comes from the back and is raised, the plant foot turns to be parallel and in contact with the pitching rubber. The body - not the head - has now turned 90 degrees and the glove hand shoulder should be pointed at the target. The raised leg should be straight out from the body and not angled towards either second base  or catcher. Balance must be maintained, to the point where a pitcher could stop the motion at any point without teetering. The ball and grip should still be hidden from view.

COUNT "two"

POSITION TWO: The Stride

DELIVERY POSITION ONE: The Ready COMMON MISTAKES At left, the first pitcher's stride foot is not being raised high enough. It should be almost perpendicular to the waist for maximum power. The second and third pitchers are angling the stride foot.

As you break from The Ready and begin the long, powerful step directly towards the target, the pitching hand at the same time releases from the glove and comes back to the low, cocked throwing position. The plant leg should bend a bit for more thrust as the head and glove shoulder remain fixed and pointed to the target. Keep the glove tucked in as long as possible.

COUNT "three"

COUNT "four"

POSITION THREE: The Release

Keeping your eye on the target at all times, bring the thowing arm over the top towards the end of your stride. The stride should be about 2/3 the length of your body. Release the ball soon after completing the stride, but as late as possible in order to provide more arm speed. After release, FOLLOW THROUGH with the throwing arm. This saves wear and tear on your arm muscles. Bring your plant foot completely off the rubber and even with your stride foot. As soon as you release the ball, YOU MUST BE READY TO BE A FIELDER.