Nine pitching essentials

Here's what this post isn't about: pitching velocity. Why? It's a little overrated. Ask a college coach or pro scout how they evaluate baseball pitching talent, and many will list these qualities:

• size and strength
• work ethic
• effective second and third pitches
• positive
• quality mechanics
• smooth, efficient delivery
• pitchers' who take responsibility for their actions and reactions on the mound
• pitchers' who are team leaders
• "complete" pitchers

It's not a complete list, of course. But it's not all velocity, either. That's because "There's more to it than throwing the ball 90 miles an hour," says Roger Clemens.