Taking a look at the numbers from last year, in particular BB/IP (walks per inning pitched), I was curious to see what they were. Our Winter travel team had struggled with walks in Kamloops. Not one team in AA was in double digits for walks (all in triple digits!) and a couple teams had more BB’s than IP! You just aren’t going to win many ball games with those stats...period. 144IP 204 BB’s! That can’t happen. AAA was little better, two teams were in double digits walk wise, 150 IP-78BB, 157IP-83BB, which are respectable numbers. 

 

I’m not sure if it’s pitchers being scared to get hit and would rather walk a batter but I would rather give up a solo HR or a double than give up free bases. Once one walk happens they seem to multiply to 3-4 then before you know it, you’ve given up 5 runs on one hit. I would personally rather give up 5 runs on 6 hits, knowing I left it out there on the mound and they hit me, it’s part of being a pitcher. You are going to have games like that. 

 

Hitting a baseball isn’t easy! Especially with a wood bat. During batting practice coaches are throwing it right down the middle for hitters to crush it. Does that happen everytime? Definitely not, hitters will find a way to get themselves out. Watch batting practice next time and then remember that when pitching. Hitters will find a way to get themselves out! Don’t give them that much credit as a pitcher. Be aggressive go right after them, challenge them! Getting ahead early in the count will keep your pitch count down. Rather than always battling back from behind and always being in a full count. Pitch to contact not trying to miss bats. Your arm will thank you and you will become a more efficient pitcher. Plus your defence will thank you for not putting them to sleep!

 

The sooner a pitcher realizes this the better, especially starters. When you get pulled from a game don’t ever be mad at your coach. You should know exactly why you got pulled from the game. Take some responsibility for your actions. Here are 2 things that are on the pitcher why you got taken out of the game:

 

1- Pitch count- You're the one that chose to fall behind in counts and throw too many pitches. You’re the one that chose to not pitch to contact and try to strike every one out. This isn’t just in a game but it’s in an inning. Anytime a pitcher starts to reach 30+ pitches in an inning, expect someone else to get ready to come in. Your arm is labouring after that many pitches in an inning. 

2- Pitch location- It happens, you are getting lit up, leaving balls up in the zone. Off-speed just isn’t working. It’s time for a change, new pitcher to mix it up. Guarantee a lot of it at this age is falling behind too much in the count, trying to be too fancy with your pitches. 

What’s on the manager as far pitching change and applies more at the college/pro level is match-ups. Bringing in the closer or lefty-lefty matchups etc. 

 

     For those that do want to play at the next level in college, walking batters is an easy way to get lost in the depth charts. Coaches will just stop having confidence in you and keep sliding you down, eventually you will only pitch in games that mean absolutely nothing 20-1 etc. Especially at the college level the better defence you will have behind you so trust your defence. 

 

    One of the best things you can do to work on accuracy and repeating your delivery is flat grounds. I’m a big believer in them. Grab a partner about 50ft away. Not going 100% but really forcing you to repeat everything and hit your spots. A lot of times pitchers will just hop on the mound and mechanics go out the window. The beauty about flat grounds is you can do them everyday 20-25 pitches. It’s actually the elevated mound that creates stress on your arm, so pitching flat ground from a shorter distance is a lot less stress on your arm. Then when you get on the mound have a purpose with your bullpen sessions. It’s not just about throwing the ball as hard as you can. 

 

Have confidence on the mound! Even if you are 5’10, when you get on that mound pretend you are 6’8 and unhittable. Never show the hitter otherwise, even if you are struggling. Challenge the hitter. If struggling with the strike zone, talk to your catcher and get him to set up right down the middle. Even if everyone knows it’s just fastballs right down the middle, I don’t care. Don’t try and be too fine and hitting the glove perfectly, open it up. Think catchers mask to the knees of his shinguards. 

 

Make your goal this season to have less BB’s per IP. A solid number is 1/3 of your IP’s. 30IP-10BB and you’ll be successful.