When a Thrower Becomes a Pitcher

I'm sure you've heard before about the best pitchany count) 50% of the time or better. In college,
a pitcher can throw. You know, the pitch all60%. Why? For two main reasons. Getting ahead
coaches love to see out of their starters andand staying ahead of hitters, and saving your
relievers.valuable "bullets" in your arm. You don't want to
A strike.end up in the 4th inning (as a starter) and have
I'm sure I don't need to explain all of theused 80% of your pitch count.
advantages of throwing strikes. But, I would likeMUST #2 - As a pitcher you must, must, must
to help clarify the difference between a throwerlearn to change speeds. I don't care if your only
and a pitcher, since I see too many of the latter.pitch is a fastball, you can win games. Keep the
A pitcher is an athlete who has command of hissame arm speed and shorten your landing stride
pitches to a large extent. In the younger agesix inches would help with that. Throwing hard is
groups, there may be some slack given onnice, but if that's all you do, hitters will figure it out.
command of pitches, but as you approach juniorSo what is the difference between a pitcher and
high school and into high school, there are somea thrower? You're a thrower until you have
musts.become proficient with the above. Keep working
MUST #1 - To call yourself a pitcher, you muston it.
be able to throw all of your pitches for a strike (in