Quite Simply - For the best pitching in baseball - Throw Strikes! The correct baseball pitching mechanics will heil you achieve that goal. It is well documented in pitching that pitchers who stay consistently ahead in the count like 1-2, 0-2, 0-1 even 2-2 will help their teams win a lot of baseball games. Conversely if a pitcher frequently achieves a 2-0, 3-1 count during a game (often called a hitter's count) the outcome of the game favors the opposing team. If the pitcher walks a batter it is 100% guaranteed the hitter will reach first base. If the ball is hit there is a chance the hitter will make an out. If the pitcher walks a lot of hitters, not only do a multitude of runners reach first base but it effects the defense negatively, especially the infielders to make more errors if the ball is hit to them. Walks disrupt the flow of the game.
A common term in baseball & softball when pitchers begin to walk batters is, infielders begin to "play on their heels". As a former Chicago Cub org. middle infielder, playing on your heels leads to errors. It should also be mentioned, if a hitter is walked their first time at bat it is likely that the batter saw at least 5 or 6 pitches.
Provided the pitcher is still in the game when the hitter returns for their second at bat they have a frame of reference as to the type of pitches, movement and location of the ball since they saw 5 or 6 pitches their first at bat. A hitter having a frame of reference does not bode well for the pitcher. Here is a tip for a pitcher when he or she has 2-0 or 3-1 count on the hitter. More than likely if the pitcher's best pitch for a strike is a fastball, the pitcher will want to throw this pitch. The hitter knows this also and will be expecting the fastball. The pitcher should now implement the "shake - off pitch." The catcher holds his index and baby finger out to the pitcher. This sign, tells the pitcher to shake their head 2 or 3 times. Hopefully the hitter will start questioning to themselves, maybe I am not getting a fastball! As soon as the pitcher puts doubt in the hitter's mind it is a win for the pitcher. Remember hitting is stimulus - response. The ball thrown is the stimulus the hitter responds. See the ball - hit the ball! As soon as you put thoughts into a hitter's mind the pitcher can gain the advantage. So after the catcher gives the shake - off pitch what now? The catcher gives the sign for the fastball and the pitcher throws it. Remember the pitcher needs to throw a strike!
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Bobby Woods
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