Category: Pitching
Type: Ritual
Venue: Indoor & Outdoor
THE HUNTER
Early this summer, I was reading an article which contained a comment from the Pirates pitching coach. He indicated that he had noticed one of his pitchers taking his eyes off the cathcher's target as he made his delivery. Knowing that this might not be a desired fundamental, he called time and walked out to the mound.
The coach asked his pitcher if he hunted, and the pitcher responded yes. Then, the coach asked him, "When preparing to shoot, what does a hunter do?" The pitcher responded that he looked bown the barrell through the site, and shot. The coach then equated this concept with pitching... become a hunter! Plain and simple- keep your eyes on the target! I know this sounds basic, but you would be amazed watching pitchers of all ages who do not zero in on the target.
I often times coach 9-12 year olds and this tip has helped tremendously in their control. When I notice one of my pitchers starting to lose focus on the catcher's target, a simple comment from the bench: "Matt, be a hunter out there!" has
workred well. My son is a pitcher, and this year he exhibited the best control of his 4-5 years of pitching. I credit this tip as being one of the main reasons.
Submitted by: Coach Steve Rossi - Monroeville Baseball
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