Why Pitch To Your Strengths? TO WIN!!!

When in doubt, pitch to your strengths. WHY? Because of the comfort level and the confidence that comes with it, you will pitch with more conviction. Often times, that is half the battle, in choosing what is the best pitch to throw in any situation. Remember, conviction is what truly intimidates hitters. For the reason being, with conviction comes consistent body language. When you throw the pitches that you want, your body language will not waver. You have the necessary repetitions required to execute those pitches confidently. It wears down hitters.

In getting away from your strengths and conviction, the hitter can see when you are uncomfortable in your approach to the next pitch…and it may take a few pitches get your Mojo back…That’s a No NO!

 

Why Pitch To Your Strengths?
Strength vs Strength

If your strengths are also the hitters strengths, stay the course. The odds are still in your favor. You have to challenge him…. Challenge HIM!!! See who is better in that location. Plus, he will be swinging the bat. This head to head battle forces contact. Therefore, you can run some shorter counts as the ball will more likely be put in play. Quick and easy outs are always accepted. MAKE Him Hit It! Your manager will appreciate it!

Pitching to your strengths means no nibbling. Aggressively attack the location. This puts you in command and forces the hitter to make adjustments. Additionally, less mistakes will be made with this mindset. When you can stay a step or 2 ahead of the hitter’s approach, you will be in the driver’s seat.

Why Pitch To Your Strengths?
Combos

If you are a Sinker/Slider Pitcher and you are good at running the ball down and off the corners, that is what’s best suited for you to get outs. Stick with it until you need to make a crucial adjustment. Hitters don’t adapt well to movement. Especially, when the pitches are designed to produce negative launch angles. Oh Heaven Forbid! That will put the stat geeks into a frenzy!

If you have the velocity to throw the high fastball, don’t back down from a good high ball hitter. Especially, when you can climb the ladder and elevate above the zone. Make his eyes light up until he realizes that he can’t catch up to the high heat! A dynamic strength to complement that is a good 12-6 curveball or off-speed down in the zone. Hitters cannot protect 2 sides of the plate. Especially, when it comes 2 drastically different velocities. That goes for In & Out, and Up & Down.  

Why Pitch To Your Strengths?
My Strengths

Me personally, I was 4 seamers in and Sliders away. I was about expanding the plate and making hitters uncomfortable. Hard in, Soft away gets hitters out at all levels. That’s what worked best for me. A lot of times, I would start the fast ball in under the hands. An undisciplined hitter is prone chase it because he can see it well. It is closest to his line of vision, until he realizes that he may not get his hands through fast enough. That is when the fire wood piles up!

In result, it maximizes the effectiveness of the Slider on the outer half, as there is a hesitation in the hitter’s mind before diving out over the plate. That’s part of why you see awful swings on Sliders. I could also spot the outside corner well with the fastball. Gotta keep him guessing.

Also, I am a believer in throwing your fastball until the hitter proves that he can hit it. Nonetheless, if you are comfortable pitching backwards, then by all means. As long as you can make a pitch when you have to, that is your domain.

Why Pitch To Your Strengths?
…To WIN!!!

With the confidence that comes from your unique strengths, the mantra of HERE IT IS, TRY TO HIT IT, is a commanding presence which elevates performance. When you know that you have a weapon, or 2, in your arsenal, which you can locate in your sleep, and is as automatic as it gets…Pitching is a Blast!

 

Keep Dominating!!!