A Discussion About Pitching Strategy

by JLProck on May 13, 2009 12:34 PM PDT

I'm unaware of anyone's coaching experience or ability, but one thing I've noticed about the people who inhabit this place is that they seem to do a lot of reading about baseball. With that said, I'd like to pose a question to you all:

where can I go (as far as websites) or what books would you suggest I read to better understand pitching strategy?

This is just a pursuit of knowledge on my part, as I find myself interested in trying to understand why a pitcher is throwing a certain pitch on a certain count. I have a basic understanding of pitching, things like mixing speeds/location, changing a batter's eye level, set up one pitch with another (batter expecting fastball, pitcher throw's changeup). But I want to dive deeper. Any help would be appreciated.

Let the discussion begin.

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"Establish the Fastball... Like a Fox!" by Mel Stottlemyre

pretty much the best book in the business.

"Even the stupidest of men, by some instinct of nature, is convinced on his own that with more observations his risk of failure is diminished."
-Jacques Bernoulli Ars conjectandi 1713

by Bearskin Rugburn on May 13, 2009 1:43 PM PDT reply actions

I know it's gauche...

But I have played an awful lot of baseball computer games, and I feel that these can give a pretty good indication of how to pitch. It’s by no means perfect, however when I first started to play the games many moons ago I would do stupid things like throw a circle change in the top of the zone, and leave a splitter in the lower half of the zone instead of breaking below the zone for a swinging K. You get the hang of things after a while and start to notice what works well/doesn’t work well.

I was at Shea for the Felix-Slam!
Personal M's record: 5-4.

by EnglishMariner on May 13, 2009 2:50 PM PDT reply actions

I will say that MLB The Show coincides very well with what I've learned about pitching from reading over the years.

Vary your pitches and speeds, work low to avoid too many flyballs, use the change against opposite-handed hitters, stick to your best pitches when you’re in a jam, make goddamn sure you keep that breaking ball low or outside, etc. Pitch like an idiot and you will be demolished.

by Teej on May 13, 2009 3:26 PM PDT up reply actions

What about burying a breaking ball inside to an opposite-handed hitter?

I’ve seen Bedard bust curveballs deep inside on right-handed hitters and be successful.

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Preserved In All His Greatness - R.I.P. The Reignman 1989 to 1997

by JLProck on May 13, 2009 3:45 PM PDT up reply actions

Bedard also has one of the best curves in the game

you miss with a curve out over the plate to an opposite handed batter, and it’s going to get hit a hell of a long ways. Assuming you’re not facing Rob Johnson.

by seattlebruin on May 13, 2009 3:56 PM PDT up reply actions

I shall try this.

I’ve pretty much abandoned the curveball in the game because it always gets crushed unless I throw it in the dirt. And like a real curveball, it’s hard to locate.

by Teej on May 13, 2009 11:39 PM PDT up reply actions

I don't know about The Show, but in MLB '05 showing a fastball up and in sets up the curve like gangbusters.

by Kermit. on May 15, 2009 10:29 PM PDT up reply actions

Pitching strategy differs from pitcher to pitcher.

One thing to do is to use deception as a weapon. Then add movement to your standard FB use a sinker/cutter and the 4 seamer when you need to throw a strike or blow a FB by a dude. Trust your stuff if it’s a 3-2 count don’t be afraid to use your out-pitch. Also try not to let bad innings get to you keep your mind clear and focused on what you need to do… kick ass!

You got slurved bitch.

by Slurvey on May 13, 2009 3:42 PM PDT reply actions

You pitch, right?

What grip do you use on your “slurve”?

by .Taylor on May 14, 2009 8:53 AM PDT up reply actions

Grip along the seams similar to a slider.

Thrown similarly to a curve but for me I do the throwing motion of the slider and the hard/quick rotation near release but follow through my delivery like I threw a curve.

You got slurved bitch.

by Slurvey on May 14, 2009 3:20 PM PDT up reply actions

Pure Baseball, by Keith Hernandez

This book goes through an AL game and an NL game, by pitch. Though not a pitching book per se, it contains many sophisticated passages about pitching tactics.

by two_hands on May 13, 2009 4:52 PM PDT reply actions