HOW TO BE A SUCCESSFUL COLLEGE PITCHER

By: Alex Mukesnturm

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Step 1: Getting in Shape…………………………………………………………………………… p.3

Step 2: Arm Care……………………………………………………………………………………. p.3

Step 3: Practice Practice Practice………………………………………………………………... p. 3

Step 4: Progress on the Mound…………………………………………………………………… p. 4

Step 5: Relax………………………………………………………………………………………… p. 5

The Follow Up………………………………………………………………………………………. p. 5

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 H
HOW TO BE A SUCCESSFUL COLLEGE PITCHER o
There are a few steps to follow in order to be effective on the m
pitcher’s mound. The best college pitchers follow these steps
because it helps them set up for success. e
STEP 1: GETTING IN SHAPE w
College pitchers have to run, stretch, and weight lift because o
that is how the body stays healthy and in shape.
Stamina is very important when on the mound r
because you could be out there for 5 minutes to k
2 hours.
Lifting weights that improve the upper and lower T
body is important because your body must be
prepared for the college batters. After weight i
lifting, pitchers must inhabit mobility and core p
training. Mobility is focused on muscles that are
highly used such as the ankle, hip, and back. The purpose s
of mobility training is to stretch and strengthen those
muscles that are used daily. Abdominal training strengths C
the core area and lower back. These muscles are used on h
the mound during gameplay. If those muscles are not
prepared for competition, injuries and fatigue would be e
expected.
c
STEP 2: ARM CARE
k
Pitchers must prepare their arm effectively by
stretching, using bands and driveline balls. l
Stretching the arm is important because it loosens
the muscles and gets it prepared to throw a i
baseball. Bands are used to stretch all muscles in s
the upper body. They are more effective than the
original stretching techniques. Driveline balls are t
weighted and if used correctly, they can boost arm
speed and ball speed dramatically. (Kepner, T. f
2017) Driveline balls have different weighted sets depending on the day that you o throw.
The day before and after you throw a pen or live, use driveline balls to stretch and
warm up the arm lightly. Overusing the weighted balls can actually hurt the armrby
keeping it in fatigue rather than building strength.
P
After pen and live sessions, it is important to take care of the arm after the work is done. Ice
and heat are two components that can affect the body in a healing process. Icing athe
r
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e
 arm in sensitive spots such as the upper or lower elbow will affect the muscles and
ligaments in that area. The shoulder is the next sensitive area because so many muscles
are used that tie into the shoulder area. If there is a pain, there is something wrong.
Nothing should ever hurt, but rather to be sore and fatigued. Soreness and fatigue are
known as the “good sore” because nothing should hurt, and it is the outcome of
throwing pitches.

STEP 3: PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE

Baseball is one of the most challenging sports to play at the collegiate level. Within any
division comes great baseball programs because, at any level, teams can compete for
conference and divisional championships. But,
there is a long road between the first day of
practice and to the last game of the year. Pitchers
may seem to have easier practices compared to
the position players, but the team counts on the
guy on the mound. Mechanics are repetitive, but
they play a great purpose in being a successful
college pitcher. Working on drills such as triple
extension, front side staying closed and strong
pull downs will pay off because they work on the
most key components for a pitcher. (Kirsch, B. 2018)
The film is also an important part to improve pitching mechanics because it shows a
different view and the result of that pitch. The best way to get better is by watching
professional baseball pitchers throw and picking up some tips on how to be a better
pitcher. That is the reason behind the sport of baseball because there is always room for
improvement and you are lucking enough to have another game or practice the next
day. A college pitcher is only successful if they can repeat the pitch over and over
because that improves the control of a pitcher and that will show once in gameplay.
Bullpens should be taken very seriously because that is the best chance to tweak or
work on mechanics and pitch location.

STEP 4: PROGRESS ON THE MOUND

Pitchers should have a routine that they follow for at least the day of their start. Some
professional baseball pitchers have the same routine for five days straight. There is
nothing wrong with this as long as it puts the pitcher in the best situation to win games.
The routine can be as simple as stretching and throwing at a specific time or eating the
same breakfast before each start. Routines are also important during the game.
Breathing techniques and focus points also play a role in being a successful college
pitcher. A deep breathe before the next pitch is important because it prepares you to
focus on the catcher’s location. Focus points can be the catchers’ glove, knee pads, and
the mask. These are all key locations in the strike zone, so it prepares you to throw a
pitch in the strike zone every time.

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The pitcher must be prepared for anything because the ball could be hit anywhere. If there
is a runner on base the pitcher needs to back up a base, so the runner cannot advance
on a bad throw. Minimizing damage is also a role for the pitcher because when the
offense comes up to the plate, they have to try to capitalize and put pressure on the
opponent’s pitcher. Pitchers must be ready to field ground balls and bunts to secure an
out. If the pitcher cannot get outs at an efficient rate, the team will bring in a pitcher
from the bullpen to get the job done.

STEP 5: RELAX
Breathing techniques and focus points also help the pitcher relax during stressful
situations. A successful pitcher will use everything that they have learned prior to their
next appearance. Pitchers must think about what worked for them in the previous
bullpen and how they are going to use that during gameplay. Communication is also a
key component during this step because it gives a chance for the pitcher to discus what
is working for them and how they are going to
use that on the field. (Ellis, S. 2019) The coach
and pitcher must communicate to know the
best way to get the batter out. Pitch sequence
and location are the main roots on getting the
batter out and focusing on the next pitch.
Mental toughness techniques are new to this
baseball era because the coaches never knew
how to teach it before. Coaches and schools
are realizing how important mental toughness is needed on and off the field. College
programs that incorporate mental toughness techniques within their team are more
likely to be successful compared to programs that do not. The reason why it is so
important is that so many things are going on in the pitchers’ head on and off the field.
Key situations could change based off their thought process because it might have an
effect on the pitch.

THE FOLLOW UP
There is no easy place for a college pitcher to start
because it is always going to be a learning
experience. After every game, there is
something to take away from it rather if it is
positive or negative. Stamina is one of the most
important steps because it is based off how
long the pitcher can stay in the game. If their
pitch location and velocity is off, it is because
fatigue is starting to settle in. Staying healthy is what will keep the pitcher playing
consistently and as long as the arm and body are healthy, improvement will show. No
one is going to get better sitting on the couch and being lazy. Pitchers must work on

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 their mechanics and pitch location in order to throw strikes and get batters out.
Routines set up the pitcher to be successful because it gets their mind right and
focused on the game in hand. Mental toughness technics establish the grit within a
player because when games get tough, those technics will help pitchers get through it
successfully. The best college pitchers follow these steps because it helps them set up
for success.

REFERENCES

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Ellis, S. (2019, April 17). 9 Mental Training Secrets For Youth Pitchers. Retrieved from
http://www.youthpitching.com/mental.html

Kepner, T. (2017, September 14). Velocity School: Where Pitchers Pay to Throw Harder. Retrieved from
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/14/sports/baseball/mlb-velocity-pitchers.html

Kirsch, B. (2018, January 27). 15 Tips to Make it as a College Baseball Pitcher. Retrieved from
http://blog.sliderdomination.com/15-tips-college-baseball-pitcher/