| Pitching a baseball game begins long before you | | | | about 50 feet apart. After a few more minutes |
| even step onto the pitching mound. It is important | | | | of having a casual game of catch with your |
| to prepare both physically and mentally for | | | | teammate, you should start casually going through |
| pitching in a game. Below are some mental and | | | | the pitching motion. Use your legs in throwing the |
| physical steps you can do to prepare for pitching | | | | ball. Do a casual wind-up and lift your leg a little bit |
| on the day of the big baseball game. | | | | in the pitch. |
| When you wake up in the morning, begin mentally | | | | Now that you've warmed up, you can start your |
| visualizing your pitching experience. Start imagining | | | | pitching activities. Have a teammate, preferably a |
| how your pitching will be that day. While taking | | | | catcher; assume the catching position while you |
| your morning shower, think about how you want | | | | throw some practice pitches. Start with a very |
| your pitching strategy to be. Do you want to | | | | slow pitch and practice the pitching motions. Don't |
| throw many fastballs? Do you want to vary your | | | | worry about speed. Pay attention to your pitching |
| pitching a lot in the game? Do you want to try | | | | mechanics. The web site [ has books and videos |
| and strike every batter out? Or would you want | | | | that discuss the mechanics of baseball pitching. |
| to pitch each batter in such a way as to try to | | | | Besides reading and watching videos, you can also |
| get them to ground out to the infielders on the | | | | watch other pitchers and study how they pitch |
| first pitch? All of this mental preparation can help | | | | the ball. |
| visualize how you want to win. | | | | Once you've thrown about 15 simple pitches while |
| During the day, conserve your energy and keep | | | | focusing on the delivery, start to warm-up your |
| thinking about how you are going to pitch the | | | | pitching aim. Focus on inside and outside pitching |
| best game ever. Your positive attitude will help | | | | corners. Practice your aim with each of your |
| you win. All of the positive thoughts will get you | | | | pitches. Throw a fastball, curve, change-up, slider, |
| very excited about pitching in the game. | | | | and other pitches. |
| When you are getting dressed for the game, | | | | Ask your warm-up catcher and another |
| keep a clear head and positive attitude. If you | | | | teammate to go to home plate and practice with |
| pitching coach gave you advice on pitching | | | | you while you stand on the pitcher's mound. Your |
| strategy, repeat key concepts in your head. | | | | practice catcher should assume the catching |
| Consider the strategies for each batter. If you did | | | | position, and your other teammate should stand in |
| research on the other team's players, remind | | | | the batters box with a baseball bat in hand. The |
| yourself of which batters to pitch fastballs to, and | | | | practice batter should not hit your practice |
| which batters to throw curveballs to. You don't | | | | pitches, but simply stand in the hitting stance and |
| need to quiz yourself, but simply review the | | | | occasionally swing very lightly at the pitches. All of |
| concepts in your head. | | | | this will help you visually prepare for real game |
| Before going into the pitching bullpen, gently jog | | | | pitching. |
| around the field. Get the blood flowing. Gently | | | | If you have not already done so, go see your |
| stretch, and then jog a little more. It's important | | | | pitching coach and say hello. Ask any questions |
| to loosen up your arms and your legs. Your entire | | | | that you may have. If you don't have any |
| body is needed for baseball pitching, so be sure to | | | | questions, review with your pitching coach any |
| warm-up your entire body. | | | | pitching strategies for the game. |
| Once you've returned to the bullpen, go to a | | | | Before you enter the game, be sure to go to the |
| grassy spot away from other players and gently | | | | bullpen and throw some more warm-up pitches. |
| stretch your arms and arm joints. Focus on your | | | | Also, throw just a few pitches at full speed. Don't |
| shoulders, forearms, wrists, and elbow. | | | | throw too many, but throw maybe 3 or 4 full |
| After stretching for about 5 or 10 minutes, find a | | | | speed pitches. |
| teammate to have a simple catch with. Stand | | | | If you are not the starting pitcher, be sure to |
| about 20 feet apart and simply throw the ball to | | | | keep your body warm and loose. And remember |
| each other. There's no need to throw any pitches | | | | to keep warm and loose in-between innings even |
| at this point. Just throw the ball. Catching and | | | | when you are the active pitcher. |
| throwing the ball will actually help you stretch | | | | And of course, enjoy your pitching experience! |
| some more before you even throw a single pitch. | | | | After all, that's why you play baseball...to have fun! |
| After a minute or two, extend the distance to | | | | |