How to distinguish yourself as a pitcher, not a thrower

I think it's really important to differentiate between pitching and throwing. A player who has no idea why he delivers a particular pitch to a specific hitter is a thrower. The player who knows why and where he is putting the baseball is a pitcher. To truly be a pitcher, every pitch and action you make on the mound must have a reason and purpose. Throwers generally rely on guesswork and luck.

I'd say most pitchers fall somewhere between being a pitcher and a thrower. And it can vary from game to game, particularly if you don't prepare properly and consistently for your appearances. The players that play pitcher more often, of course, will experience more success on the mound and go the farthest in their baseball career.

Here are some tips and tricks that I did to distinguish myself as a pitcher and not a thrower. Can you think of any additional things that you can do to improve your pitching performance?

• Around the mound, I was taught that the first rule for success was dressing and acting the part. It's essential to realize how little actions around the mound not only make you look good, but can relieve tension and anxiety. They give the pitcher "polish." Wear your uniform properly. Pull your pant legs down below the calf, but don't "sag." Wear your hat forward. Be clean-shaven. Don't wear eye black when you pitch. Tuck in your shirt. Ask yourself this: What would Roger Clemens do on the mound? What would he wear? How would he act? Then do that!
• Get the first pitch over the plate, around the strike zone. Attack the hitter from the get-go. And when you get ahead, keep pounding the strike zone. Don't waste pitches. Go right at him early and often.
  
• Throw your best pitch in tight situations. When the pressure is on, don't try to trick the hitter. Heck, he and everyone else in the ballpark should have an idea what's coming. Who cares? Have confidence in your pitch (it is your best pitch, after all) and throw the hell out of it.
• Don't get careless when you get ahead 0-2 or 1-2. Again, attack the strike zone with authority. Throw a strike. Make the hitter hit your pitch, or send him packing if he doesn't offer at it.
  
• Work with your catcher. Become friends. This is important. You need to be on the same page as your catcher. You both need to know "why" you're throwing what you're throwing. You both need to know where every pitch should go. Then you need to execute it.
• "Quick pitch" when necessary. Show some savvy out there on the mound. In every lineup, there is at least one or two guys who you can mentally defeat just by quick pitching them. Which one is it? That's what you need to find out. When you find him, exploit it. Pitch quickly, but always under control.

It's important to remember to always be working on becoming a pitcher, not a thrower. And do it on every pitch. Don't have the one pitch you're not paying attention or thinking (i.e., by being a "thrower") cost you a run or the game. Do whatever is practical to become more effective by being smart and pitching with a purpose.