| Everyone enjoys the excitement of the homerun; | | | | - Left-handed or a unique throwing motion (ex. |
| however, pitching tends to play a larger role in the | | | | sidearm delivery). |
| importance of a winning Baseball Strategy. Let's | | | | - Strong arm (Fastball is above 80 mph). |
| use high school baseball as an example. For most | | | | - Excellent control of throws regardless of fastball |
| high school teams, there are usually only one or | | | | speed. |
| two good pitchers on each team. One of the | | | | - Natural movement on fastball. |
| differences between good and great high school | | | | - Ability to throw a unique pitch (ex. knuckleball). |
| teams is how they develop the rest of their | | | | Once these players are discovered, the coach |
| pitching staff. | | | | should have them begin practicing pitching at |
| To win at the high school level in the playoffs and | | | | every practice. Over time, their skills would |
| beyond, a high school team should develop a | | | | improve to the point where you could use them |
| rotation of 4 to 6 pitchers. There are several | | | | in game situations. Then, your baseball strategy |
| reasons for this Baseball Strategy: | | | | could shift from relying on your two top pitchers |
| | | | to letting these prospects start pitching against |
| 1. Top pitchers will then get the opportunity to | | | | weaker teams in your district or allowing them to |
| rest their arms during the season. | | | | pitch a few innings in certain games. |
| 2. It provides an opportunity for younger pitchers | | | | To help encourage players to want to be a |
| to develop their skills for future seasons. | | | | pitcher, the coach should give extra praise to |
| 3. The coach has a number of options to choose | | | | those who are participating and repeat the |
| from for certain game situations. (For example, | | | | importance that pitching has on helping the team |
| have a left hander throw to a left handed batter). | | | | go far in the playoffs. In addition, a wise coach |
| 4. May be able to use your top pitchers in other | | | | would recommend these players take additional |
| roles. This can be especially helpful if they are a | | | | pitching instruction from quality baseball instructors |
| very good hitter as it adds a strong bat to your | | | | in the area. With a little encouragement, you can |
| lineup. | | | | outsource some of this training. This will allow for |
| 5. Allows you some additional protection if you | | | | these players to keep developing their skills and |
| lose one of your pitchers to grades or an injury. | | | | not take away from the team's overall practice |
| Traditionally, pitchers on high school baseball teams | | | | time. |
| tend to be those who throw the hardest and or | | | | The benefits of developing a pitching staff over |
| have done it for a number of years. However, a | | | | time should allow for your high school team to |
| smart high school coach should be scouting his | | | | move from a good to a great program. Also, |
| team every year to look for players who could | | | | who knows, you just might stumble upon the |
| be turned into pitchers. Some of the skills a coach | | | | next great ace pitcher. |
| should look for in a prospective pitcher include: | | | | |