“Coach Dunn’s Quick Pitches” By Coach Jack Dunn

The 4 C’s of Pitching

Baseball, like the other sports, has become a year-round sport.

To become a successful pitcher, you must always be up to speed on the four C's of pitching.

The four C's are:

1. Conditioning
2. Concentration
3. Control
4. Confidence

Conditioning

Winter is the most important time of the year for a pitcher. This is the time for getting the legs and back in shape, as well as building enough endurance to pitch seven or nine innings—possibly twice a week. The real importance of this time of year is not seen until spring practice starts. If a pitcher has achieved proper conditioning in the winter, he can concentrate entirely on pitching, instead of worrying about losing weight or getting the legs in shape. There is a saying, “You pitch with your legs,”—which means, if your legs are not in shape, your control will suffer.

Winter:

1. Long-Distance Running
2. Medium-Distance Running — for Legs and Endurance
3. Stairs
4. Pick-ups or Killers — for the Back
5. Sit-ups

Spring:

1. Sprints
2. Pick-ups
3. Sit-ups
4. Arm Conditioning
   1. Wear a jacket or sweater, after throwing and on cool days. When throwing, remove your jacket so you will have something to put on when you're through.
   2. Don't hang your pitching arm out of the window when riding in a car.
   3. Apply ice (optional).

Concentration

This, along with conditioning, will lead to better control. Concentration is not just pitch by pitch.

It includes

1. remembering hitters and how you have pitched to them in the past.
2. knowing the game situation.
3. anticipating what might happen.

It is impossible to concentrate on more than one thing at a time, so concentrate on getting the hitter out. Concentration is the key to pitching. This is what makes the difference between a pitcher and a thrower.

The pitcher must learn the umpires as well as the hitters. Each umpire calls the game differently. You have to be able to adjust to each umpire.

When not pitching, you should be on the bench and watching the opposing team’s hitters. Watch stance, the game situation, the count on the hitter and the pitches he has trouble hitting.

There is a lot more to pitching than just throwing the ball. You have to know the hitter, the situation, who is covering bases, etc. This is what makes a pitcher.

Relax Physically, but not Mentally.

Control

Control is the hardest fundamental to learn. There are two reasons for this.

1. Pitchers do not practice it properly.
2. Control is more than just throwing strikes.

During the winter, when throwing inside, and after rhythm is established, start throwing for the corners of the plate. Get the catcher to move around behind the plate to give you a better target. This is where concentration is needed. Work with each pitch individually.

A pitcher must be able to throw and pitch in any situation. This does not always mean throwing a strike. The ability to miss the plate, at times, is just as important as the ability to throw strikes. A pitcher must also have the ability to move the ball around, up and down, in and out.

Lack of control is caused by poor mechanics. Let's look at some of the mechanics.

1. Ideally, the ball should be held the same way for each pitch. This is why I like to hold the ball with the seams.
2. The ball should be held as far out on the fingers as possible, while still keeping it under control.
3. Hold the ball loose. If held tight, it tends to lock the wrist.
4. The arm motion is the same for every pitch until it reaches the top of the arc.
5. Your weight should be kept back.
6. The lead leg should not swing past the rubber.
7. Look directly over your shoulder, at the target and push your shoulder at the target.
8. Keep your elbow up—and your shoulders level or higher.
9. The upper part of the body will pull you off the rubber as it goes forward.
10. The lead leg governs control.
    1. Keep it slightly bent on impact.
    2. Hit in the same spot on every pitch except a curveball—which should be on a little shorter stride for the curve.

REMEMBER: You don’t have to strike out every hitter. The fewer pitches, the better.

Confidence

This is another important factor that is sometimes overlooked. The true pitcher has to believe he can get anyone out in any situation. You will never be a winner if you are worried about losing the ball game. There is no way you can pitch scared.

Confidence also includes having confidence in the coaching staff. There are times when a coach will take you out of a game, and there are times you will be mad he did. That's the way it should be, if you want to come out, there is no way you are going to get the job done.

Let the coaches know if you are:

1. hurt.
2. tired.
3. having trouble getting your arm loose.

General Rules

1. The amount of walks given up is about equal to the amount of runs scored.
2. The change-up is the most effective pitch you can learn.
3. Master the basic pitches before trying to learn new ones.
4. There should be no arguing with umpires or teammates.
5. Have some poise. Don't let other teams know what is going on inside you.

For more from Coach Dunn click on Coaches Corner on the JUGS® website.