Pitching strategy: How to pitch backward

Hitters love it when pitchers make it easy for them. Fall behind 2-0 and groove a fastball and watch the fireworks.

But a pitcher who can throw an off-speed or breaking pitch for a strike when a hitter is sure a fastball is coming will really be successful at this game.

Some advanced pitchers that I played with in the Chicago Cubs organization fell behind 2-0 on purpose just to get to that "fastball" count. But instead of throwing the predictable fastball, they'd drop in a change-up.

When you're out there in a game, make it so a hitter has no idea what pitch is coming next. And in some of those "fastball" counts, throw something else. That's how to effectively pitch backward -- and be one tough pitcher to face.