II. INDIVIDUAL DEFENSE

The value of the pitcher cannot be overestimated. He is not only the most important cog in the defense of any baseball team, he is also the life and spirit of the ball club. A strong, competent, confident pitcher can carry a weak team a long way-especially in the lower age groups. Weak pitching, on the other hand, will often keep an otherwise sound team in last place. If a boy has the potential, gets the proper pitching instruction and works hard, the results can be mighty rewarding.

The pitcher should have the strongest throwing arm on the team. He also needs a sturdy body because, with the exception of the catcher, he works harder than any other player.

Above all else, however, a pitcher must be able to throw accurately. If a boy can't get the ball over the plate, in the strike zone, he had better give up pitching. With beginners, accuracy is almost as important as power. Here's why:

On a pitched ball, the batter can (a) swing and miss; (b) ground out to the infield; (c) hit a fly ball for an out; (d) foul out, or (e) get a base hit.

The odds are heavily in favor of the pitcher-IF he can keep the ball in the strike zone!

Thus, the manager of a team of youngsters might take this view:

"If I have a pitcher with superior control and a better than average arm-enough power to keep the batters from digging in and hitting at will-I have a boy who's definitely a member of the pitching staff."

H-H-A

As indicated earlier, the pitcher needs something more than physical ability. He needs to be calmly aggressive, coolly efficient and possessed of good judgement. Most of all, he needs a fighting heart!

The pitcher must learn that no matter what his mates do, no matter what the score, or the inning, he's to always give his best. He ought to learn, too, that it's wise to keep his thoughts to himself-about the errors his teammates have made, about the walks he's given up, or the taunts of the fans or players on the opposing team. He should constantly say to himself:

"I've got three things to do-throw the ball over the plate, field my position, back up the bases."

In selecting a pitcher, the manager should look for "Head, Heart and Arm!"

PITCHING SKILLS INVOLVED

Pitchers employ four different deliveries-underhand, sidearm, three-quarter and overhand. If a pitcher uses the underhand delivery, his throwing hand releases the ball below the belt line; if sidearm, from shoulder height; if overhand, above the head, and if three-quarter, halfway between the sidearm and overhand deliveries.

The pitcher should choose the delivery that is most natural-the one that gives him the greatest power and accuracy. Once he's made the choice, he should stick to it for a reasonable length of time and not try to throw underhand one day, overhand the next. Unnecessary experiments can injure the pitching arm permanently!

Regardless of whether a pitcher uses a sidearm or overhand delivery, there are a number of fundamentals to be learned. Let's start with the wrist pitching action. Good wrist action does a lot for a pitcher-it gives that extra "zing" to his fast ball and it gives him the good curve.

To get some idea of how to use the wrist, raise the pitching elbow to the level of the shoulder. Raise the pitching hand so it is directly above the elbow. Bend the wrist back as far as possible. Snap it forward. Repeat three or four times. Can you feel the muscles in the wrist and forearm area pull?

Fig. 13	Fig. 14
As pitcher brings hands overhead during full windup (left), back of glove and palm of throwing hand faces batter. When delivering ball, pitcher has 4 spots to pitch to (right), whether throwing fast ball or curve.

With the body erect and facing the target, put your arm and hand again in throwing position. Lay the wrist back as far as you can. Move the elbow back as far as you can-until you feel muscle pulls all across the chest.

Now, start the arm forward, elbow leading. As the elbow conies opposite the shoulder, move the forearm forward and down; then snap the wrist down. Repeat several times without the ball. Then, put a ball in the pitching hand and without moving the feet see how far you can throw it.

The Grip and Hand Action

Until a boy gets out of high school, he doesn't need to develop more than two basic pitches-the curve and the fast ball. In the first place, he'll get four pitches with the fast ball alone-low inside, low outside, high inside, high outside. Ditto the curve. If he then learns to change the speed of each pitch, he can double his assortment.

The overall grip is the same for the curve and fast ball; forefinger and middle finger spread in a comfortable V on top of the ball, thumb underneath.

Fig. 15	Fig. 16
Pitchers usually run top fingers across figure 8 pattern when throwing fast ball and along stitches when throwing curve.

For the fast ball from the overhand or three-quarter delivery, the hand should be directly behind the ball. When the ball leaves the hand it should rotate upward, or toward the pitcher. To make this spin more effective, pitchers usually grip the ball across the stitches-some across the fat part of the figure 8 pattern, some at the narrow part.

To throw the curve, the pitcher makes the ball spin, or rotate, away from the hitter at an angle. He wants the ball to go out and down; not on a horizontal plane or "flat."

To accomplish this, run the top fingers along the stitches. Go slowly through the delivery as with the fast ball. At the forward snap of the wrist, twist the hand outward and bear down on the outside finger. Beginners should first learn to twirl the ball at the proper angle. (It's a good idea to paint a large black spot on one side of the ball to help get the correct angle to the spin.)

To improve a pitcher's control, managers might consider erecting a set of "strings". Here's how it's done: Stretch a string between two poles, or trees at average shoulder height. Stretch out another one at knee height. Then tie two pieces of twine, 12" apart, to the top string and loop both around the bottom string. The rectangle forms the strike zone. To complete the job, build a pitching mound in front of the strings at the proper distance.

THE WINDUP

Let's switch to the body movements now, using the three-quarter delivery as our example since it is the most popular.

Two basic pitching positions are employed-the full windup and the "stretch". The full windup is used mostly when the bases are unoccupied. In professional ball, it is used when runners are on 3rd, on 2nd and 3rd, or on 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Pitchers usually "stretch" with runners on 1st, or 1st and 2nd, and also 1st and 3rd. The eight-year-old probably should first be taught to throw from the stretch position and then gradually be introduced to the full windup.

Sketch at left shows proper position for right-hand pitcher's feet at start of windup. Second sketch shows position at start of "stretch".
	Fig. 17	Fig. 18

Before starting any pitching move, the pitcher must learn how and where to stand on the mound. The rules say he must have one foot in contact with the pitching rubber until the ball is delivered. This means his pitching foot-the right foot for a right hander, the left for a southpaw-is to be an the plate at the start of windup and remain in contact until the body is in the final part of the delivery pitching cycle. (The pitcher cannot step forward to the pitching plate and make that part of the windup.) The toe of the pitching foot ought to extend over the forward edge of the rubber with the heel on top. The weight should be on the back foot, located comfortably behind the rubber. The pitching hand holds the ball out of the batter's sight behind the pitching leg. As soon as the pitcher gets his eyes on the target, with the catcher in proper receiving position, he can start his move.

Here's a step-by-step explanation of how it's done by a right hander:

Shift the weight forward to the right foot and bend the body forward slightly, at the same time extend the hands backward. Straighten the trunk, swing the hands forward and bring them together in front of the chest.

Shift the weight to the back foot and at the same time carry the hands up until they are just above the peak of the cap.

At this point arch the back as much as possible.

Twist the pitching foot to the right, but keep contact with the plate.

Pivot the body right, swing the left leg forward, start the hands down.

As the hands reach a point just below the right shoulder, separate them, drawing the throwing arm back, moving the glove hand forward. As the hands part, start the big stride toward the plate, "kicking" away from the pitching rubber.

When the front foot strikes the ground, throw.

Sweep the right hand down and across the body.

Bring the right foot up so it's even with the left.

To drill several pitchers, the manager can line them up side by side facing an imaginary catcher. Each move can then be taught simultaneously.

Once the pitcher has mastered the windup, he can start thinking about pointers like these:

1. As the hands come together in front of the chest, the palm of the throwing hand should face the batter. The full back of the glove hand should face the batter. This way, the ball cannot be seen. If the back of the glove faces 1st and the back of the throwing hand 3rd, enough of the ball and throwing hand can be seen to tell the batter whether a fast ball or curve is coming.

2. Fix the grip as the hands reach the top of their upward swing.

3. Imagine there is a line from the toe of the pitching foot to the plate. If the pitcher is a right hander, his left foot should come down to the left of that line; to the right if he's left-handed. If he doesn't do this, the pitcher will be throwing across the body, or against the natural movement of the body.

4. Always pitch from the same spot on the rubber if control is good. If the ball is going to batter at right height, but off the plate, move the pitching foot to a different spot on the rubber.

All movements, by the way, should be natural and rhythmic.

The Stretch Move

The so-called "stretch" move is used with runners on base. It enables the pitcher to hold runners close to the base before the pitch and also gives him a chance to pick off runners who1 take too long a lead.

A right-hander should stand with his left foot in front of the rubber, his right foot on it and his life side facing the plate. (Opposite for left-handers.) The feet should be about shoulder-width apart with the weight distributed evenly and comfortably. The toe of the left foot is usually in line with the heel of the right foot.

At the start of the pitching move, the hands are lifted above the head, brought together as they start downward to a spot in front of the chest. The arms are kept away from the body and not brought to rest against it.

Just before the pitch, the hands must be brought to a complete stop, (usually at chest level) otherwise the pitcher can be charged with a balk.

To throw to the plate, the pitcher momentarily shifts his weight to the rear foot, quickly lifts the front foot and strides toward the plate. The right foot is brought up even with the left after the ball is released.

Pick-Off Moves

Some of the leagues for the youngest boys-Little League for example-do not permit leading away from the bases, so attempts to catch a runner off base by a throw from the pitching plate are not necessary. Once a boy reaches the age of 11 or 12, however, it's time he learned this important pitching requirement.

Here's how to begin:

Take the "stretch" position, holding the hands in front of the chest. Under the rules, only one part of the body can now be moved, unless the pitcher is in the act of throwing to a base or the plate. That little piece of anatomy is the head. If a pitcher learns to use his head with runners on base-and no joke intended-he can help himself a great deal.

Right-handers, first of all, look over their left shoulders to see the 1st base runner; past the right shoulder to see the 2nd base runner and straight ahead for the 3rd base runner. (Opposite for the left-hander.)

The most difficult pitching move for the right-hander, of course, is toward 1st. After taking the stretch, the pitcher should always make one or two moves of the head before throwing to the plate. He can drop his chin, turn his head slowly toward 1st, slowly away, quickly back to first, then pitch! The object of the head move here is to drive the runner back toward 1st-or at least get him leaning toward 1st-just before the pitch. If the pitcher decides to throw the ball to 1st, he wants to make a head move that will encourage a runner to stretch the lead.

After a pitcher has practiced the "head bob" awhile, he then must learn to coordinate it with his feet. Base runners usually steal bases because of the weakness of the pitcher and not, as generally believed, because of a defect in the catcher's play. And, if the pitcher does everything else right, the runner steals on the pitcher's feet. In other words, the pitcher's feet tell the runner whether to break for the next base, stay put, or get back to the base he's leading away from. It follows then, that the pitcher must be careful of how he moves the two feet. As discussed on page, the runner breaks for the next base when the pitcher's front foot comes up and starts toward the plate. The longer it takes that foot to come down, the longer it takes to release the ball and the more "jump" the runner gets. Thus, when delivering the ball to the plate the pitcher should take the forward stride as quickly as possible. (A high kick with the striding foot is a common fault.)

The "jump" move to 1st.
	Fig. 19

The right-hander uses two different foot moves to make the throw to 1st. Some managers teach the "jump" move, others say a pivot is better. It has been the experience of this writer that the "jump** move is better for the average-sized or under-sized pitcher, while the pivot is easier for pitchers with very long legs.

To learn the pitching jump move, do this: Take the stretch position. Pick up the right foot and turn it as far to the left as possible. Plant it. Swing the body left, step toward 1st with the left foot and throw.

Try it a little faster this way: Shift the weight to the front foot. Hop to the right foot as the right foot is twisting left; with all the weight on the right foot, step toward 1st with the left and throw. With a little practice, you'll be amazed at how fast you can get the ball to 1st.

To make the "pivot" move, simply take the stretch pitching position with the right foot twisted as far left as is comfortable. The pitcher now either steps directly toward the plate, or directly toward 1st to throw. This move is somewhat slower than the "jump" move, but the right heel stays still. Every pitcher who uses the jump move gives advance warning with the right heel, as mentioned on page.

It doesn't make any difference, however, which of these two moves the pitcher chooses, he still has to learn one more thing-when to throw. He should always try to throw when the runner is moving away, or leaning away, from the base. The runner usually begins to lead away as the pitcher raises his hands to start the stretch. It's a good idea then to learn to make the jump or pivot move to first with the hands in three different positions-from the very top of the stretch, half way down and from the stop position.

The left-hander, obviously, has a great advantage in holding runners on 1st. He's looking directly at the runner and that alone will make the runner cautious. With a runner on 1st, the lefty should have the toe of his pitching foot about even with the instep of his right. He should practice the head-bob and the same trick of throwing from the three different stretch positions. His best pitching move, however, is this:

He takes the stretch. He looks at the runner. He looks at the plate. He turns his head back to the runner. And-just as he starts to turn the head to the plate again, he steps toward 1st. If the lefty works hard on this move, he'll pick more runners off 1st than he ever dreamed possible.

On throws to 2nd base, all pitchers should use the "jump" move, turning in the direction of the glove hand. (A right- hander would turn left, for example.) If the runner is safely back, or if the shortstop or second baseman fail to cover, don't throw the ball. (No balk on feint to 2nd.)

One more thing: If the pitcher is standing on the mound and suddenly sees the runner break, he should "back-off*-take his pitching foot off the rubber, and move it toward 2nd base. When a runner is stranded between the bases, the pitcher (or any fielder) should charge the runner, favoring the base ahead of the runner.

With runners on 3rd base, the pitcher may use either the stretch or full windup. If he uses the full windup, he should shorten the arm swing and quicken the move. He must never pump more than once!

The Fielding Pitcher

Pitchers and managers should pay a great deal of attention to the techniques of fielding the ball around the mound. After the ball leaves his hands, the pitcher becomes an infielder. Like the other infielders, he has a spot to go to on every play.

The hardest thing for a young pitcher to learn is to go to his left on every ball hit to his left and to start immediately! Very often, the batter will hit a sharp bouncer between the first and second basemen. Both will try for it. This leaves 1st base open. It's the pitcher's job to get to 1st ahead of the runner and take the throw if the ball is fielded. He can't possibly make it, however, unless he starts running to his left at the crack of the bat. If he's not going to be involved in the play, on the other hand, all he has to do is stop.

To cover the base, the pitcher runs as fast as he can for a spot near the foul line that is about 10 feet to the home plate side of 1st. When he gets near this spot, he turns left so he can run along the inside of the base line (not in the base line). After catching the ball, he looks down for the base, hits the 2nd base side of the sack with his right foot and springs toward 2nd, out of the way of the oncoming runner.

With runners already on base, the pitcher, after tagging 1st, should quickly face the infield to keep them from advancing.

The beginning pitcher has a difficult time remembering that his feet should be parallel after delivering the ball to the plate. This will enable him to move right, left or straight ahead to field batted balls. It will also make it easier for him to knock down or catch those line drives that come right at him! Sometime a big pitcher has this trouble-his pitching foot comes down ahead of his striding foot. When this happens, the striding foot should quickly be brought up even with the pitching foot.

On a bunt with a runner on 1st, or on 3rd, the pitcher is responsible for everything in front of him that is out of reach of the catcher. With a runner on 2nd, he takes everything that is to his right of the imaginary line to the plate (first baseman takes everything on the left). These fielding areas are diagrammed in Chapter 14.

A swinging hit to the pitcher's box with a runner on 1st can get a pitcher in hot water if he always tries for the double pitching play with less than two out. Unless it's a hard smash, the pitcher should ignore the runner going to 2nd and concentrate on putting out the batter. (He has little chance of getting the runner going to 2nd and if he misses he will have runners on 1st and 2nd with less than two out, instead of a runner on 2nd with an additional out in the scorebook.)

Pitchers should let the other infielders handle pop-ups in the area of the mound, and think only about covering an open base if necessary.

BACKING UP THE BASES

Getting off the mound to back up the bases is another important duty of the pitcher. As can be seen in Figs.42-48, the pitcher backs up the third baseman on a single with a runner on 1st, the catcher on a single with a runner on 2nd, If both 1st and 2nd are occupied and the batter singles, the pitcher should hustle to a point off the left field foul line that is half way between 3rd and home. He can then back up 3rd or home, depending on where the play develops. But like going to his left on balls hit to his left, the pitcher must start immediately.

Any time a pitched ball gets by the catcher with runners on the bases, the pitcher should quickly cover home plate! In covering the plate, though, he ought to be careful of where he puts his feet. With his back to the runner, it would be foolhardy to stand in the basepath. It's best to leave one side of the base open, with the feet straddling the other and the body partly turned to the open side. If the ball is to the pitcher's right, he should leave the right corner open; if to the left, leave the left corner open.

BEWARE THE $1,000,000 ARM AND 10 HEAD

A boy may have a strong arm and know all the mechanics of pitching, but if he doesn't think about the hitter's weaknesses and strengths, he'll become nothing more than a "thrower" and will not help his team much.

A pitcher, even more than a catcher or manager, will know which of his deliveries the batter can or cannot hit. That is, if he studies the hitter constantly. This is just as true in Little League ball as it is in the Major Leagues. As a matter of fact, the younger the hitters are, the more faults they have. Thus, the young pitcher has a great advantage if he thinks about the hitters. Here are some general pitching principles to follow.

1. Try to get "ahead" of the batter with the first pitch. That doesn't mean to groove the ball waist high and over the center of the dish. That means get the ball in the strike zone where you think the batter is weakest. If the batter stands so far away from the plate that his bat will not reach the outside corner, there is only one thing to do-pour that fast ball over the outside! If the hitter crowds the plate, fire it over his fists! Now then, if he looks strong at the plate and you know nothing about him, your best pitch is always low and outside or high and inside. Once around the league, the average pitcher should know something about the hitters. Don't worry about not learning all there is to know about every hitter. If you find one or two with weaknesses and can get them out consistently, you've made a good start.

2. The "situation" (as covered in Chapter 16) tells the pitcher a great deal about what to throw. If he expects a sacrifice, for example, he should pitch high, which will increase the possibility of a pop-up.

   If a runner on 3rd streaks for home on a "suicide squeeze" play, he has to keep the ball away from the batter and put it where the catcher can make the tag. (Throwing at the feet of a right-handed batter is recommended; pitch-out if a lefty is at the plate.)

   If the pitcher suspects a steal, he shouldn't throw a slow curve but stick to the fast ball.

3. When a pitcher has a 3-ball-2-strike count on a hitter, he should go to his best pitch. If his "best" is the curve, use the curve. It it's the fast ball, use the fast ball. Remember, though, that the "best pitch" may vary from game to game.

4. Try not to throw the same pitch twice in a row. Change speeds. Move the ball around the strike zone, always shooting at the corners. In doing this, your objective is to upset the hitter's timing. This is especially important when the pitcher faces the league's best hitters. The long foul, remember, is just another pitching strike.

5. The pitcher who gets two quick strikes on the hitter should "waste" the next one by putting it where the batter can't possibly hit it.

6. Don't curve ball a weak hitter! Don't let up on a weak hitter! If the hitter is really weak, the fast ball can overpower him usually. If you throw the curve, you're throwing a slow speed pitch and it may be the only one this hitter can get his bat on.

7. If you're getting a hitter out regularly with one pitch, don't start experimenting with another.

8. If you're striking a lot of batters out and the game is going well for you, keep that pitching foot on the rubber and pitch as fast as the umpire will let you. On the other hand, if things are going bad, stall all you can to "cool off" the opposition.