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Author |
TOPIC: Learning to pitch |
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| Larry))
June 26, 2019
4:29:09 PM
Entry #: 4263128
| Hey guys. I want to learn how to pitch but I'm not sure what the best way to pitch a ball is. I know some pitchers use backspin. Some use a curve. Some guys throw a knuckleball. Any advice on techniques or videos for someone new to pitching? I was just going to go to the diamonds by my house and starting pitching until I found what style suited me best.
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| tswear
June 27, 2019
12:04:36 AM
Entry #: 4263145
| If you can consistently hit the front then next pitch hit the back of the board you will do well.
Placement is more important than spin.
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| Knight
June 27, 2019
7:08:04 AM
Entry #: 4263147
| Agree ...... with all these guys get consistent on throwing strikes, then start working on other stuff. Back to front of the plate depending on were the batter is, edges and corners, just learn to move your pitches all over the mat.
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| Network Man
June 27, 2019
3:24:18 PM
Entry #: 4263172
| Work on distance and height first (between 6 and 12 ft) with of course trying to hit the board even if down the middle. Once you get the hang of that, then start practicing on painting corners. Once you get the hang of that, then that's when you can start working on your technique. I've been pitching for numerous years and I've always used a back + side spin rather than just a back spin. I do this by using the stitches.
Good luck!
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| Spinner
June 27, 2019
10:59:20 PM
Entry #: 4263181
| I like lots of back spin because I find that it floats a bit and allows me to use any sort of breeze to my advantage.
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| Bud Wiser
June 28, 2019
11:08:36 AM
Entry #: 4263186
| Throw the ball and then prepared to be hit.
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| Local 1134
June 29, 2019
12:48:17 PM
Entry #: 4263209
| Why do guys shoot the box?
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| tswear
June 30, 2019
8:52:51 PM
Entry #: 4263245
| It must be an insecure thing. If you are not hitting over.0750 you must be a lousy hitter. It is slow pitch after all.
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| MI5
July 1, 2019
1:34:31 AM
Entry #: 4263253
| Playing in a tournament, I drove the ball a foot to the right of the pitchers face. Although it was unintentional, many of these tournament teams feel the need for retaliation and start trying to return the favor. What's the worst shot you've seen a pitcher take? And what do you think should be the result of hitting middle?
In this tournament, every time I was up to bat it was an out for the duration of the game.
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| Guy Smiley
July 1, 2019
5:09:41 PM
Entry #: 4263274
| If you hit the pitcher you should be a out.
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| LB4LB
July 2, 2019
10:58:18 AM
Entry #: 4263289
| The idea of going middle to hurt someone as payback needs to STOP. Obviously it happens by accident at times, and nothing can be done about those, but when people go with the intent to hurt someone, I would like them to stop and think about it if they actually hit them and hurt them or worse.
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| Purelife
July 3, 2019
11:27:14 AM
Entry #: 4263326
| Payback or shooting the box does not happen in this league.
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| Moulton
July 4, 2019
3:45:10 PM
Entry #: 4263366
| Only a real coward would try to hurt someone intentionally.
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| Rev Hero
July 6, 2019
8:42:32 AM
Entry #: 4263392
| In my opinion shooting the box is an easy way to get a single and thus I view it as cheap and bad ettiquette. It extends rallies and changes outcomes of games that have no business ending with that result. I would never be proud of a hit up the middle and would apologize right away as the only hits that should even buzz the box should be accidents.
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| MBA98
July 7, 2019
10:14:32 PM
Entry #: 4263434
| Everyone complains about shooting the middle when the ball makes it through or the runner gets on. Nobody says a damn word when the guy tries and the pitcher makes a play and snags the ball or makes the stop. Nobody *****es then. Then the batter is only an idiot because he " TRIED " to shoot it and got robbed !!
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| Sensrule
July 9, 2019
7:49:44 AM
Entry #: 4263489
| I agree! I usually look middle/oppo if we are out of HR's or theres no one on base, lords knows I wouldn't wanna hit a SSSSOOOOOOLLLLLLOOOO!
We had a couple of SOLO Snipers last year....who's it gonna be this year???
I can just hear It now now “put the JAK'd down!" LMAO!
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| Yaktrick
July 10, 2019
1:12:34 AM
Entry #: 4263521
| I think anything is fair game.... I pitch and have pitched for a few years now competitively. As a pitcher u just have to be aware. You can't admire pitches which is what a lot of pitchers do. Back up and be ready. If u have to change the way u hit best, and you are a top level player, that just doesn't make sense. Oh and by the way I pull the ball for linedrive/power so I'm not defending myself.
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| Shutter1
July 10, 2019
10:24:42 AM
Entry #: 4263526
| Some leagues have a screen in front of the pitcher to stand behind while pitching. If you hit it, you're out. It takes away the intentional and accidental liners hit back up the middle. We don't do that in my other league and last year in the finals the other team was going up the middle on purpose which just started a war...
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| Guy Smiley
July 10, 2019
4:10:07 PM
Entry #: 4263548
| Anyone that says “ i’m going to shoot the box” before they bat should be kicked out of the game.
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| LB4LB
July 11, 2019
2:23:58 PM
Entry #: 4263601
| agreed
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| LB4LB
July 14, 2019
11:55:58 PM
Entry #: 4263715
| How does the umpire determine intent?
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| Duchy
July 15, 2019
1:50:51 PM
Entry #: 4263742
| The minimum a batter should do is apologize. Some don’t.
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| Anchor
July 16, 2019
4:29:44 PM
Entry #: 4263794
| The batter usually show remorse with a apology.
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| Blumpkin
July 18, 2019
11:27:13 PM
Entry #: 4263917
| Not all batters apologize.
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| Knight
July 20, 2019
7:07:29 AM
Entry #: 4263957
| A friends father took a line shot to the face broke his jaw in 3 places. In other leagues they have instituted a rule that is a batted ball is within reach of the pitcher (line drive only) then the batter is out. The rule also applies in our co-Ed league if the pitcher is a female.
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| Kygell
July 21, 2019
4:45:44 PM
Entry #: 4263999
| Drive the ball, but keep it away from the pitcher. If it goes near the pitcher, be sincere and apologize.
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| 91skrats
July 22, 2019
11:39:59 AM
Entry #: 4264034
| It is all part of the game.
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| Roxiee
July 22, 2019
11:38:24 PM
Entry #: 4264094
| All the games rainout tonight?
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| Bigelow
July 23, 2019
12:44:01 PM
Entry #: 4264112
| Purposely shooting the box.
I believe it's a myth.
Nobody has that kind of bat control. If they did, they'd be playing real baseball for a living.
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| Glossy&Beyond
July 24, 2019
3:49:22 PM
Entry #: 4264198
| Forgive me if I sound too whiny. I just feel this is a good place where I can vent. I'm over 40 years old and seem to find a way to embarrass myself at the plate at least once per night. It's only my second season, but I have enough of an average childhood baseball background and a love for the sport that it is no excuse for me to be so terrible at hitting a slow pitch. My at bats consist of either whiffing horribly, a foul-out on slight contact, a weak grounder back to the pitcher, or a shallow pop-up. Occasionally I will draw a walk or reach on a fielder's choice. It's pathetic and extremely humiliating. I ride the bottom of the lineup (which is completely understandable given my lack of skill) while I watch my teammates step up to the plate and hit dingers like it's nothing. I would be happy if I hit just ONE. After my typical at bats I walk back through the dugout to silence because what's there to say to the most garbage player on the team? Nothing. So if it hit up the middle please forgive me.
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| tswear
July 26, 2019
11:51:42 AM
Entry #: 4264312
| You need a hug buddy.
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| JAG 28
July 27, 2019
2:00:17 PM
Entry #: 4264365
| Glossy+Beyond From your comments it appears you are NOT watching the bat hit the ball (whiffing, light contact, weak grounders etc.) So, concentrate on the contact its eye hand coordination. You may want to do some drills such as hitting pitched sponge nerf balls – or hitting tennis balls even with a tennis racquet - or just flipping the ball up and hitting into the screen - or go to the batting slowpitch machine on 9th Line in Stouffville. You’ll know when you start to make better/solid contact.
Don’t worry about hitting homers (it’s a skill for later) – but do watch, and try to incorporate, the stance and technique of the good hitters. You will find it’s start by planting your feet with weight slightly on your back foot, cock (pull bat back slightly), fire on a level plane (accelerate) thro the contact zone and open the hips at finish. It’s similar to a golfer’s swing but of course you are swinging across your chest on a horizontal line. And ask some of the guys how to hit better (there’s a bunch of opinions – even mine – on how to hit).
Also the USPL has pretty good/competitive divisions (I know they say they’re Rec) but there are other leagues that may be better suited for your enjoyment such as the MORSL League in Markham.
Good luck and enjoy
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| Blumpkin
July 28, 2019
8:19:56 PM
Entry #: 4264419
| Get a hobby JAG.
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| JAG 28
July 29, 2019
12:31:36 PM
Entry #: 4264480
| Thanks Blump, I play ball 2 to 3 times a week, go to the gym 2 or 3 times a week and take art classes - how's your hobbies?
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