Pitching Tips for Young Baseball Players

It takes a lot of time for young pitchers to learn how to control their pitches and get the ball over the plate. Coaches can help pitchers gain confidence with several basic teaching drills that focus on throwing strikes, changing speeds and pitching on the inside corner. One warning: Young pitchers should throw only fastballs and change-ups. Their arms are not developed to throw breaking pitches.

  1. Learn to Throw Strikes

    • Teach pitchers to practice throwing a certain number of fastballs and change-up pitches over or near the plate. Against a wall, set up a target that measures a bit wider than the 17-inch width of home plate. Show the pitcher how to concentrate on the target and throw baseballs that hit the various areas of the target, or just miss the target on the inside and outside corners.

    Change Speeds

    • Most youth pitchers believe they need to throw the hardest they can to get outs. Often, it is the change of speeds that places a batter off-balance. A change-up pitch that is slower than a fastball often will help a pitcher steady his arm, target the strike zone more times than with a fastball and get out batters. The change-up pitch grip and motion is easy to learn and easier to control for a young pitcher. It also places less stress on the arm.

    Throwing Inside

    • Many youth baseball pitchers don't pitch on the inside corner. But getting the ball inside on a batter without hitting him is an effective weapon for the pitcher. Once the batter backs away from the plate, the pitcher receives a bit more room in the strike zone. Then, he can use follow-up pitches to hit his target and get strikes. A pitcher can practice throwing on the inside corner by aiming at a designated spot on the wall target. When ready, he can do the same drill with a batter (this could be an adult coach or an object such as a chair that simulates a batter) placed in the batter's box. As the pitcher becomes comfortable pitching inside to the batter, gradually move the batter closer to the plate. The pitcher will learn to respond to the challenge and will become comfortable throwing strikes no matter how close the batter is to the strike zone. Once he has mastered one side, repeat the drill on the other side of the plate.