Why Pitching Practice Bullpens To Batters Is Better Than Not Throwing To A Batter For Youth Pitchers

Practice makes perfect. Probably heard that before, right? But sometimes it's the "perfect kind of practice" that makes perfect. When working with youth baseball pitchers, I've found that the perfect kind of practice is to make it as game-like as possible. Here's a simple way to do this: Always have a hitter (or "Bullpen Buddy"-type training device, at right) stand in when working in the bullpen. (If you do choose a "live" hitter, he should wear a helmet and he shouldn't swing. This practice is for the pitcher, not the hitter.)

Not only will having a hitter make your youth pitchers more comfortable with facing real hitters in a game, but you can use the hitter to garner valuable feedback. Simply asking the catcher how your pitches look isn't enough, especially as you advance in baseball.

That's because catchers have a vested interest when you ask their opinion: They'd rather you never throw too hard (it hurts their hands) with too much movement (it hurts their thumbs) or too much downward-action (forcing them to block).

Also, they crouch all the time, so they'd like to see you wrap up your bullpen as soon as possible to save their knees.

This can lead to overly positive reviews of your mediocre pitches.

Now, don't get me wrong: Your catcher is your best friend and your closest ally on the field. Always was that way for me. But they're all also human. For the best results, get an impartial observer to give you feedback. Have a hitter stand in, or use a training aide.

Two training aides I know of are The Designated Hitter (www.thedesignatedhitter.com) and the Bullpen Buddy (www.bullpenbuddy.com).