| Take a look at almost any inning in which three or | | | | you throw a baseball. Every time you throw a |
| more runs are scored and I would venture that in | | | | baseball! |
| at least 75% of those innings one or more walks | | | | When I'm having a catch with my sixteen year |
| were involved. I teach pitchers that you must | | | | old son and I'm NOT behind the plate, we play a |
| throw strikes consistently and I don't care if a | | | | game we invented called "Target." We are both |
| batter hits the ball into the trees past the outfield | | | | very competitive and this game is FUN! Twenty |
| fence. You can NOT give the opposing team free | | | | points usually wins and you have to win by two |
| gifts. Often control problems are caused by | | | | points. We have a regular catch and give each |
| pitchers OVER throwing the ball instead of | | | | other a target. The target can be left or right |
| throwing the ball. | | | | shoulder, left or right hip or basically wherever |
| A lot of people don't realize that control also | | | | you want to place the target. If you are throwing |
| means being able to throw a ball off the plate and | | | | and are within a foot of the target with a fastball, |
| not just over the plate. That means that I can | | | | you get one point. If you throw a changeup or |
| throw a ball three or four inches off the plate to | | | | breaking ball and are within a foot, you get two |
| get a hitter out who "chases" bad pitches. If I'm | | | | points. (This gives you the flexibility to go after |
| ahead in the count, the batter almost has to | | | | two points if you are trailing late in the game.) |
| swing at the pitch that's just off the plate. | | | | Not only will this help your control, but you will |
| Control obviously also means control within the | | | | have a blast playing it! |
| strike zone. Being able to control pitches up and in | | | | Even if you want to insult my son and I and NOT |
| or low and away is very important. If I'm | | | | play "Target," remember that before we invented |
| shooting for low and away and I'm too high by a | | | | our game, I have always recommended that to |
| foot, the pitch is not nearly as effective and could | | | | improve your control, aim for a target every |
| very well get hit hard. | | | | time you throw a baseball! It can be your |
| If I'm shooting up and in and I'm off by ten inches | | | | throwing partner's left hip, right hip, left shoulder, |
| and get the middle of the plate, once again, it's | | | | right shoulder, etc. How can this not help your |
| not nearly as effective. If you are serious about | | | | control? |
| pitching, you should aim for a target every time | | | | |