Three steps to better beginning pitching

Are you new to pitching this season? We've all been there. Here are some tips to help make your experience more fun -- and to have more success.

As a pitcher, you've got the ability to control the outcome of the game. No other player on the field can make as big a difference as you can. It's no doubt a challenge. But it's also lots of fun.

Perhaps the most important thing you can do right off the bat is to be confident. Trust that you can do it. That's important because if you don't believe in your ability, no advice or instruction will make a difference in your improvements. It's also a must to be coachable, to be competitive, and to want to pitch. Wanting to pitch sounds silly, I know. But I see a lot of pitchers who don't convey that on the mound. Show that you want to be out there by being positive, staying focused, and giving it your best effeort every pitch.

On the mound, concentrate on throwing strikes. This requires constant practice. (Even big league pitchers work on throwing strikes. It's hard for them, too.)

Do you have time to work on it at home? One way I worked on being able to throw more strikes in my youth playing days was to throw into a net that I set up in the backyard. Maybe you have a wall that you can place a target on -- can you throw at it?

As you progress in pitching, don't get frustrated. You'll have good and bad days Throwing strikes is difficult to do. But with practice and a positive attitude, you most certainly can do it if you apply yourself.

It's also important to throw correctly, using good pitching mechanics. Here's a Pitching Mechanics Checklist that can help.

With the mechanics, keep it simple at first. Many pitchers begin pitching only from the set position. That's when you start with the back foot is next to and in front of the rubber. I like this because there's less motion, which means less can go wrong mechanically. Once you feel comfortable and confident pitching from the set position, you can start pitching from the full windup and begin to work on the weight transfer and movement that's associated with it.

Remember to stay positive and have fun. It's a long road to the Majors from where you are right now. Enjoy the process in getting there.