How To Practice Baseball Pitching Like A Champion

Practice makes perfect.

You've probably heard that saying -- or some variation of it -- right? I'm not sure if the ole' "practice makes perfect" thing still rings true to most kids these days. They've heard it too many times. (I've heard it too many times.) And it's lost its meaning.

But the underlying message -- that attention to detail in practice translates to successful game performance -- is as important today as it ever was. For pitchers, this means that it has to happen in the bullpen, when you're working on your pitches, before it can happen on the mound.

Take practice time seriously. Don't just go through the motions. Focus on proper pitching mechanics, location, speed and/or spins -- and in that order of importance -- each time you take the mound. It shouldn't matter if you're pitching in front of 40,000 fans, 25 parents, or 1 coach. Pitching is pitching, whether it's in a game or practice. And quality bullpens between pitching performances do, in fact, equate to more success on the mound.

This afternoon when you're in practice at your various high schools or colleges make it count. Make each pitch your very best. That's the kind of practice that makes perfect. And you don't need some overused saying for that.