FastPitch +

Welcome back to Fast Pitch Plus.  Playing softball in college has become the most popular reason to play travel and high school softball.  This month, I’ll be putting out articles and podcasts all about college recruiting- how to write letters, make videos, rules, as well as hear from travel ball and college coaches themselves on the topic.  This time around I’m also releasing the journal in a new format.  I’ll be adding content weekly, throughout the month rather than all in one burst.  Your comments and feedback are welcome.  Thanks for tuning back in and enjoy!

Inside:

Outside:

Montana fires and inside fastball followed by an outside fastball.  Picture perfect:) Click on images to enlarge.

When throwing perfectly linear pitches (pitches that do not change direction horizontally) in the inside or outside half of the plate (ie: fast, rise, drop, change) the pitching motion itself does not change.  In fact, it is important to keep the same pitching mechanics regardless of location in/out in order to maintain tight spin and break.  When throwing a pitch inside or outside the only thing that changes is the direction of the powerline.  This is the line that starts from at the driving foot of the pitcher and continues straight to the intended target.

As seen on many indoor pitching mats, the practice powerline goes from the middle of the rubber to the middle of the plate.  This is a starting point for learning to keep mechanics tight and leg drive on a straight line.  However, if a pitcher is trowing a linear pitch towards the inside corner, the powerline should simply angle towards the inside half of the plate, while outside should angle toward the outside half.   DO NOT shift to the right or left side of the rubber upon setting up for the corresponding pitch as this pattern will only tip off the hitter as to where the pitch will be located.

Fun Fact:

Assuming your mechanics on say, a fastball, are perfectly tight and linear, the degree of the angle needed (to adjust the powerline) is minimal if you are trying to catch the corner of the plate.  1.5 inches to be exact.  (As discovered in a math problem by Montana Sprague). Therefore, if you are trying to catch the outside corner of the plate, using the practice powerline (middle), simply step to the left 1.5 inches.    If you are trying to throw further off the plate you will need a bit more.

Hitting tips:

Hitting inside and outside pitches well is all about contact point.  To hit the inside pitch you will need to make contact out in front of your body (swing earlier).  To hit the outside pitch you will need to let the pitch travel deeper into the zone (swing later).  This assumes you are trying to make quality contact while hitting the ball where it is pitched.  Most commonly, right handed hitters should hit inside pitches toward the left side of the field and outside pitches towards the right side of the field.  Don’t forget to have your right palm up and left palm down toward the ball (rh hitters) at the point of contact!