Pitching Strategy

By Steven Ellis, former pitcher in the Chicago Cubs organization

1.

Pitching Strategy
“Keeping Hitters Uncomfortable at the Plate”
Here are some basic keys to remember when you are on the mound. Implementing these
keys into your normal routine will allow you to develop a solid philosophy on how to
pitcher to hitters.
1. Make the inside half of the plate yours. Always attack inside and see if the hitter
can handle your fastball.
2. Show your off-speed stuff early in the game (change up, curve, etc)
3. Be able to throw a change up on any count
4. Double up (throw 2 in a row) on curveballs on 0-2, 1-2, or 2-2 counts
5. With runners in scoring position don’t let hitters be able to sit on your fastball.
Be able to throw a 2-seamer for movement to get a ground ball.
6. Be able to change the eye level of all your pitches. Example: Curveball down
followed by fastball up
7. On fastball counts or on the first pitch (1-0, 2-0, 2-2, or 3-2) be able to throw a 2-
seamer for movement.
8. DON’T BE PREDICTABLE!!! Keep changing eye level, working different
halves of the plate, and changing speeds.
9. If you get ahead with the first pitch then attack aggressively inside.
10. Re-focus with 2 outs, close out the innning
11. Attack aggressively in the first inning and after your team scores. “Throw up a
zero”
12. Re-focus and bare down the second time through the heart of the opposing team’s
lineup