Look at it from my point of view. I'm a private
pilot and periodically, I must prove my proficiency by flying with a
CFI (Certified Flight Instructor). I am responsible for life and
limb of my passengers and also for you people who do not leave the
planet. I'll give you three guesses what every CFI makes me do. Yes!
Basics, basics, basics. Maneuvers I was taught the first time I flew
an airplane--circles around a point, turns over a highway, etc.
Now back to my point of view. If basics are good
enough for us high flyers, it ought to do some good for you folks
with both of your feet on the ground. Here is a basic drill I use
for pitchers of all ages and skill levels. I call it the three
catcher corners drill. The purpose of this drill is to reaffirm in
the pitcher's mind that where you step is where you pitch. It also
reassures the pitcher to step and pitch at the target (glove).
Here's how it works. Use the proper pitching
distance for the age level you are working with. Using that
distance, make a half semicircle approximately 30 feet long. Every
three feet, make an X with tape on the floor. Place a catcher on
either outside X and the third catcher on the X where home plate
would be. Start the drill by pitching to the catcher on the
pitcher's right, then to the center catcher and then to the catcher
on the left. Now move the catcher on the right and the catcher on
the left three feet toward the center catcher and repeat the
pitching sequence. Continue this process until the three catchers
get very close to each other, then eliminate the center catcher and
move the remaining two catchers shoulder-to-shoulder: the corners.
Conclusion: ANY pitcher can hit the inside and
outside corners.
Clayton W. Souders, Jr., is the pitching coach at
Lehigh University.
Another point. During a game the pitcher has ten
seconds to deliver the ball after taking the sign. I have my pitcher
start off with a 3 second delivery in the first inning after taking
the sign. Then in the second inning we go to 5 seconds, in the third
we go to 7 seconds and in the fourth we go to 10 seconds. After this
we start all over again, or mix it up. This keeps the batters off
guard in timing our pitchers and getting ready. By the time we are
at 10 seconds they are anxious to hit the ball. This is done also in
practice, so that the timing is set in the pitchers mind.
