Distance between the pitching mound and the front edge of home plate needs to be 60'6"
Step by Step
THE SET-UP - FIGURE A & B.1, B.2, & B.3
Grip the ball with a standard 4-seam fast ball grip as shown above in figure A.
Get your body and feet aligned perpendicular to the center of the plate as shown above in figure B.1 & B.2 (Close up of feet)
Get your upper body in the set position as shown above holding the ball in your glove chest high
THE KNEE LIFT - FIGURE C
Take slow and small movements: Slowly shift your weight into your plant leg and make a small turn keeping your pivot foot parallel with rubber.
Taking your time, lift (not “swing”) your leg into the balance position, toe pointing down.
*The balance point for pitchers is about waist high, hands staying close to the body (typically over the back leg).
Stay on the ball of your back foot as the balance leg reaches its highest point on the leg lift.
Keep your hands and head still.
FORWARD STRIDE/ THE SCARECROW - FIGURE D
Once balanced in the balance position, stay back.
Stride outwards, directly towards the catcher, keeping your upper body perpendicular your arms come out like a scarecrow – Your pitching hand brings the ball up and your glove hand brings your mitt up
PUSH-OFF AND FOLLOW THROUGH - FIGURE E
Twist your pivot foot so toes point toward the center of the plate
Unwind your body pushing off your plant leg and throwing your weight at the target
THE FINISH - FIGURE F
Let your plant leg and arm come through to the target so you end with your toes point to home, legs slight spread, knees bent and your torso and head face home.
Finish squarely in a good position to field hit balls
Pitching drills for beginners
Knee Drill.pdf
Knee Up Drill.pdf
The Statue Of Liberty Drill.pdf
The Quick Hands Drill.pdf
The Shadow To Balance Drill.pdf
The Leverage Drill.pdf
The Stride Drill.pdf
Pitcher Article.pdf
How to Grip the Ball.pdf
Other things to remember
Stay tall
Take slow and small moves: Take a small step back and make a small turn to place your pivot foot parallel with rubber.
Lift your leg into the balance position, toe pointing down: Take your time. You don't need to rush, and you shouldn't "swing" your leg into the balance position. The balance point for pitchers is about waist high, and the hands should stay close to body, preferably over back leg.
Stay on the ball of your back foot as the balance leg reaches its highest point on leg lift.
Keep your hands and head still.
Forward Stride — Once balanced in the balance position, stay back and stride outward, directly toward the catcher. Use gravity. Toes should be point to the target.
Arm mechanics - Here are some key points that are different that cricket:
- The quicker the break of the hands at the wrist, the faster one throws. Keep your fingers on top of the baseball.
- Keep your throwing hand outside the elbow and your elbow shoulder height: Bring your glove hand away from body and pull directly back into chest.
- Keep your fingers on top of baseball on release. Continue throwing motion by swinging throwing elbow past opposite knee to deaccelerate arm.
- Throw down hill: Whip the throwing arm across the body from 11 o'clock to 5 o'clock (outside the opposite knee).
- Get into good fielding position by squaring up to hitter on follow-through. Stay balanced on balls of both feet to react to baseball.
