Pitching

Although baseball is a team game — and complete cooperation from every player is necessary for victory — coaches, players and spectators agree that the most important factor in the success of a team is the pitcher.

Many major-league managers have attempted to evaluate just how much pitching means to a team. Their estimates generally run from 70 to 85 per cent. It is not important to accurately gauge the precise percentage of pitching to the success of a team; it is more important for a team to have good pitching.

Pitchers come in all sizes and shapes. The perfect physical qualifications for a pitcher are height and weight in equal proportion. Coaches like their pitchers to be about six feet tall and weigh approximately one hundred and seventy-five to two hundred pounds. These physical attributes are desirous, not necessary, and there are school pitchers with excellent records who fail to measure up to either of these physical qualifications.

Coaches also like pitchers who can "hum that ball"; that is, the pitcher who throws the ball fast and hard. Yet there are many pitchers of school age who can fool the batters without an overpowering fast ball.Good control, and the ability to get the ball over any part of the plate, will sometimes make up for the lack of a good fast ball.

The pitcher who possesses determination and has the temperament and disposition to overlook fielding lapses by his teammates, has won half the battle toward success. Too many young pitchers with excellent promise for the future never develop because they lack an "attitude," the ability to absorb the intangible factors so common in every game.

The pitcher who never learns to accept fielding and mental errors as part of the game will not advance too far. He may be the perfect physical specimen as regards height and weight but his own mental attitude may be tougher to conquer than a lineup of the most powerful hitters on any team.

A pitcher must remember that his teammates want to win as badly as he does. He must try to ignore a fumbled grounder, a muffed fly, a wild throw. Errors are part of the game and he must bear in mind that all players make mistakes, just as businessmen, or even members of his own family at home.

The Grip. — There is a definite art involved in gripping and throwing the ball. The ball must be held in the proper position if the pitcher expects to throw it with any accuracy and skill. The index and middle fingers must be on top of the ball, placed across the seams, and the thumb should be on the bottom of the ball. This is the throwing grip for just about every type of pitch.

Many pitchers have made the major leagues without that "good fast ball" and without measuring up to the desired physical standards. No aspiring pitcher should be discouraged if he's small and light by comparison and if he doesn't have the strength in his arm to continually pour the fast ball by the batters. Control, intelligence, courage are also most important attributes.

Proper Position. — Before delivering the ball to the batter the pitcher must assume the proper position on the mound, the position he takes without any runner, or runners, on base.

This right-handed pitcher is in proper position to deliver the ball to the plate. The heel of his right foot, the pivot foot, is in contact with the pitching rubber or plate, and his left, or free, foot is to the rear of the pitcher's rubber. Reverse the position of the feet for a left-handed pitcher.

The pitcher (left) is relaxed, his eyes straight ahead. He is looking over the batter and waiting for the catcher to give him his signal. The pitching arm can be held at the side or behind the back. As long as the pitcher feels comfortable, it makes little difference just where he places his free arm.

Once the pitcher receives the signal from the catcher and nods in agreement, he is ready to start the first phase of his delivery — the windup.

Windup. — The windup is merely getting the pitching arm loosened by swinging the arms backward and then bringing them forward. Just how many times the arms are swung backward and brought forward is a matter of individual taste. Some major-league pitchers, notably the Yankees' Bob Turley, have developed a "no-windup" delivery, which is merely bringing the arms to a chest position and then delivering the pitch to the plate.

Other pitchers go through an elaborate windup. They'll swing their arms back and forth perhaps three or four times before bringing them overhead in the stretch position, preparatory to delivering the ball. This type of windup is often used by the left-handed Warren Spahn of the Braves (below), who has one of the most formful and stylish deliveries in all of baseball.

A pitcher is at the conclusion of his windup when his arms are over his head with his two hands together. This is known as the stretch position. At this point he adjusts his fingers around the ball for the pitch he is to throw to the batter.

Leg Lift. — The body of the pitcher is now in position to go into the pitch. The leg lift, the next phase of the delivery, is now about to get underway. The pitching arm is brought back as far as possible. The right hip pivots to the right and, as the body bends back, the leg is lifted high. However, do not lift the leg merely for the sake of lifting the leg. If the pitcher finds himself in an uncomfortable position because his leg is lifted too high, he should then lift the leg to the height he feels most comfortable in. Slender Jim Bunning (opposite page) displays good leg lift form as he brings his knee almost to his chest.

Spahn brings his knee just below his belt line when going to the top of his stretch. Bunning's leg lift is much higher.

Some pitchers will have a more exaggerated leg lift when pitching with the bases empty. The pitcher who attempts the high leg lift, such as Bunning, with runners on base, will soon find the runners stealing bases in wholesale lots. Once the pitcher starts to bring his front foot upward, the runner can start on his way to the next base. With runners on base, it is advisable to have the pitcher lift his leg, stretch, and deliver in one complete motion.

The leg lift is important because it helps the pitcher bring his body and pitching arm forward. Also, the upraised leg makes it somewhat difficult for the batter to follow the ball. The smart pitcher can use his leg to obscure the batter's vision.

Striding. — Once the leg has been lifted the pitcher is in proper position to stride forward. The stride is very important, and the proper stride can be the key to good control. Overstriding can cause the pitcher to miss the plate with his pitches. Just how long a stride a pitcher should take depends entirely upon himself. Some pitchers feel more relaxed and comfortable by taking a short, or normal, stride. Others can comfortably take a huge giant step as a stride and still maintain their comfort and control. However, the longest possible stride usually proves most advantageous because the pitcher will be that much closer to the batter when he delivers the ball, and he will be able to get more power and speed in his pitch.

The stride simply is bringing the left foot forward as the pitching arm is coming around and down. The body, too, will come forward as the pitcher is striding. If the stride forward and motion of the pitching arm and movement of the body are in synchronization, the pitcher is in perfect form (above) to release the ball. Here Spahn (left) has completed his leg lift and is bringing his front foot forward as he's approaching his stride.

Notice the similarity in positions between this high school pitcher and the Braves' Lew Burdette. Both have completed their strides and are in the middle of their body pivots.

The follow-through occurs when the hips have twisted around, the ball has been released, the pitching arm has swung down and across the body and the pivot foot has been raised from the rubber and brought to a forward position almost parallel with the front foot. That's exactly what Spahn (opposite page) has done.

The technique of throwing the ball is fairly simple. Pitchers you see on television, or at your major-league or minor-league parks, will throw with three types of motions: straight overhand, three-quarter or sidearm. It is not good to imitate your favorite pitcher's motion. Just as a batter takes his most comfortable and relaxed stance in the batter's box, so must a pitcher throw with the motion which gives him the greatest measure of freedom and comfort. Most of us throw a ball with a three-quarter motion. It is the most natural and least wearing on the arm. Sometimes it is best to use the three-quarter motion as a basic delivery and then develop the overhand and sidearm motions.

Coordination in all movements of the follow-through is of prime importance. The ball should not be released at just any time, or in any stage of the follow-through. To ensure good control, it is best to release the ball almost a split second after the front foot touches the ground. This, too, is a matter of individual taste and the pitcher must determine, through constant practice, just when he is most effective at releasing the ball.

The pitcher who constantly gets the ball too high may discover that he's releasing the ball too soon. And the low-ball pitcher may find out that he's holding the ball too long before finally releasing it.

Front and side views of the position after the pitch has been completed.

Spahn's feet are spread wide, eyes straight ahead to follow the pitch, and in good fielding position. This side view of the high school pitcher also indicates the accepted fielding form after delivery of the ball. The pitcher's feet are parallel, body bent forward just prior to bringing the glove in front of his body so that he may get into position to field any ball hit back toward him.

Many pitchers, even major-leaguers, never actually find themselves in proper fielding position after finishing their follow-through. This is inexcusable because the proper follow-through motion should find the pitcher facing the batter, both feet planted solidly on the ground and almost parallel.

Young pitchers sometimes hesitate in bringing their body and rear leg forward after delivering the pitch. This means they are constantly off-balance and not able to play a ball which may be batted back to either side of them. You will find that baseball's better fielding pitchers are those who bring their rear foot forward and remain in crouched position, anticipating a ball being batted toward them. Some pitchers of school age are so intent at delivering the ball that they get into the habit of waiting on the mound with their rear foot in the air and behind their body, as they pose in sideways fashion. This is dangerous, especially if any line drives are hit back toward the mound. If you want to be a pitcher, concentrate on all the techniques of pitching.

Smart batters can bunt a poor fielding pitcher straight to the showers.

A pitcher who leans to the right after his follow-through will be unable to play anything hit to his left. The same principle applies to the pitcher who has a tendency to throw his body to the left. The pitcher will lose time fielding bunts hit in front or to the side of him.

The pitcher takes a different stance when there is a runner, or runners, on base. The pitcher, if he wants to keep the runner from advancing, cannot take his windup and therefore is required to pitch from the set position.

A pitcher should not use a windup when there are runners on first base, second base, first and second base, or first and third base. The situation determines whether to use a windup when runners occupy second and third base, third base, or when the bases are full.

The pitcher (above) here assumes the proper stance with a runner, or runners, on base. The pivot foot is placed in front of the pitcher's slab, or rubber, contact with it being made with the side of the foot. The body faces third base, the back of the body in direct line with third base.

Since a windup from this position will enable the runner to easily steal a base, the pitcher must use a different motion if he wants to keep the runner close to the base. He can do this by keeping his arms at chest level (left) and may either throw to a base to keep the runner close, or deliver the pitch to the plate.

Many pitchers will not go into the stretch position, that is they will not bring their arms overhead with a runner on base. Instead they will immediately bring their arms to their chest, ball well hidden. Comfort again dictates just where the pitcher wants to hold his arms if he doesn't take his stretch. Some feel more comfortable by keeping their arms at belt level. Others feel more relaxed by holding their arms below their belt. Comfort and relaxation determine the position of the arms.

Rear view (above) of the pitcher about to go into the stretch position with runners on base.

Before getting into the set position the pitcher keeps his pivot foot clear of the pitcher's slab (right) while taking the signal from his catcher, in the straddle position. Although he is showing his grip on the ball to the runner on first, this does not mean he is tipping off his pitch to the runner. The pitcher will not assume his final grip on the ball until he is ready to release it.

Burdette, in action, goes through all the movements of pitching with a man on base (above).

First: The weight is shifted to the pivot foot and the shove-off from that foot. Notice how his arms are in front of him, his leg lifted just below belt level.

Second: the stride, arm cocked backward, ready to throw (above).

Burdette, in placing his front foot down following his stride, first plants his left heel into the ground before bringing the rest of that foot forward. This is not the accepted technique, but let's not argue with Burdette's record.

Third: release of the ball (above).

Lew releases the ball as his front foot is perfectly balanced, facing the batter. His arm, shoulder and body have all come forward with the ball's release.

Fourth: the follow-through (above).

He wastes no time bringing that rear foot forward to complete the follow-through and get into proper position. Burdette is one pitcher who is never off-balance after completing his pitch.

Bunning, in action, is similar except that he is delivering in a sidearm motion and he has brought his pitching arm back a bit farther.

Jim has one of the longest strides in baseball only because he's tall and can take more than the normal pitching stride. Although Bunning is highly regarded as a good fast ball and curve ball pitcher, he has a tendency to "lean" after his follow-through. Notice (opposite page) how his body leans to the right as his pitch is on the way to the batter. As a result, Jim sometimes has trouble fielding little bouncers, or bunts, hit to his left.

Fast Ball. — The fast ball is the "bread and butter" pitch, and any young pitcher should learn the proper grip for the fast ball before he attempts to learn the other grips. Coaches maintain that a pitcher who has mastered the fast ball can be taught, with a minium of effort, how to throw the curve ball and change of pace.

To grip the fast ball, it is best to place the first two fingers on top of the seams and across their widest part. Keep the thumb underneath (above). Another fast ball grip is to place the first two fingers across the narrow part of the seams, thumb in the same underneath position. On just what part of the seams to place the first two fingers is relatively unimportant. This depends upon the individual pitcher who should experiment with both grips before settling on one. One grip may offer better control of the fast ball; the other may enable the pitcher to get more speed in his pitch. The ball should be held "deep" in the palm of the hand, grasped firmly but not clenched tightly.

To release the fast ball, allow it to come off the ends of the top two fingers. Notice that on release the ball leaves the second finger last, and this is the finger that determines the rotation of the ball on its way to the plate. The wrist should be snapped as the ball is released off the second finger (above).

A straight overhand pitcher with good power will have a slight rise, or hop, to his fast ball because the ball is rotating upward on its release. The pitcher with a three-quarter motion will have a very slight sideward hop on the ball, the direction of the hop depending upon whether he is right-or left-handed. The hop follows the same direction as the pitching arm (right for a right-hander, left for a left-hander).

A fast ball pitch delivered in a sidearm motion will have a pronounced hop to the side since the ball is rotated sideward at the moment of its release from the second finger.

Curve Ball. — The curve ball is thrown with the same motion; in fact all pitches should be thrown with the same motion so that the batter will be unable to determine just what pitch is coming up. The curve (below), however, is held tighter, and more in the fingers. It is released between the thumb and the first finger. There is also a definite downward snap of the wrist on release.

As the arm comes down and the ball is about to be released, the wrist is turned outward with a pronounced snap. This provides the rotation that causes the ball to curve, or break. Change of Pace. — The change of pace, or changeup, is held with the same grip as the fast ball and thrown, of course, with the same motion. The changeup has been called by some major-leaguers as the best pitch in baseball because it keeps the batters off stride.

The ball is held loosely by the first two fingers. They must be kept relaxed and straight when releasing the ball, and the release is off the two fingers, not just off the second finger, as in the release of the fast ball.

Many refer to the change as a slow ball, or slow curve. Actually, a change of pace is any pitch that does not travel toward the batter at the pitcher's normal rate of speed. Many pitchers develop three or four types of speeds, or changeups, and these pitchers are quite effective. Such a craftsman was Sal Maglie, who used a slow curve as his main changeup pitch. Preacher Roe, the old Dodger left-hander, was another who had about three or four varying types of speeds. And Bur-dette and Spahn continue to fool batters with their different grades of speeds.

Other Pitches. — A pitch gaining in popularity among major-league pitchers is the slider (below). Some managers and pitchers who refuse to add the slider to their repertoire, disclaim the slider by calling it a "nickle curve." And that's exactly what the slider is, a sort of simulated fast-curve ball. It has neither the speed of the normal fast ball nor the break of the normal curve. But it helps to upset the batter's timing and concentration, and is a good pitch to throw every so often.

To be effective the slider must be thrown with an overhand motion. The ball is released off the tip of the first finger. The second finger should be held loosely on the ball. The ball is delivered with the wrist fairly stiff. Pitchers who are unable to relax their pitching wrist will have a natural slider. The slider is not recommended until the pitcher of school age has mastered the art of throwing the curve.

One of the most difficult of all pitches, because of the unnatural action involved, is the screwball. Hall-of-Famer Carl Hubbell was the most famous exponent of the screwball. Hubbell, in fact, threw this pitch so consistently that it later affected the natural swing of his left arm when walking. Hubbell's left palm now turns outward, which is exactly how the palm is turned in delivery.

The screwball grip (above) is the same as the fast ball. But the back of the hand is turned inward as the pitcher brings his arm forward, ready to deliver the ball. The ball is released between the second and third fingers, the thumb pushing the ball outward. The screw ball has the reverse effect of a curve. Thrown by a right-handed pitcher it breaks in to a right-handed batter.

Because of the unnatural delivery involved this pitch is not recommended for the young pitcher. It is best to wait until full physical maturity before attempting it.

The knuckle ball (above) is about the most difficult of all pitches to control. There is no problem involved in gripping, or throwing, this pitch but rare is the pitcher — catcher and batter, as well — who knows just where the ball will finally end up.

This pitch usually breaks in the same direction as an ordinary curve. However, because the knuckle ball has only the slightest rotation on its way to the batter, air pressures and wind currents can cause the ball to take varying dips and breaks as it approaches the batter.

There is no fundamental grip for the knuckle ball. Some pitchers place only the first joint of the first finger on the ball. Others grip it with the first joint of the first and second fingers, and there are some pitchers who like to use their first three fingers. The finger joints are placed on the smooth surface of the ball, not touching the seams, and the nails should be flat against the ball. The thumb is placed alongside of the seams at their narrowest part. The ball, on release, slides off the fingernails as the wrist is snapped.

Some knuckle ball pitchers do not throw a knuckle ball, but a fingernail ball. The fingernail ball acts in the same fashion as the knuckle ball; however, it is gripped differently, held with stiffïer wrist and rotates a bit more than the knuckle ball.

To grip the fingernail pitch press the fingernails of the first two fingers against the smooth side of the ball, and the thumb along the seams at their narrowest part. The rotation of the fingernail ball is slightly more active.

Neither pitch is recommended for the beginning pitcher. Both these pitches are extremely difficult to master and should only be attempted once the pitcher feels he is mature enough to add another pitch to his basic repertoire.

Most pitchers have pet pitches. Hoyt Wilhelm (above) is an exponent of the knuckle ball. Billy Pierce is a curve ball artist. Johnny Podres has one of the best of change-of-pace pitches. Camilo Pas-cual (opposite page) has a fast ball that fairly crackles as it explodes into the mitt of his catcher. Ruben Gomez (left) is a master of the screwball, and Early Wynn throws a slider, knuckle ball, curve and fast ball with equal skill.

These pitchers did not come by these pitches overnight. They worked hard and long to perfect the grip which enables them to throw these pitches, and all of them but Wilhelm will confess that they first learned to throw the fast ball before any other pitch. Wilhelm, however, admits "as a kid I never remember throwing anything but a knuckle ball." As previously mentioned, this is not recommended.

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