How To Back Up Bases Correctly As A Pitcher

The pitcher's role in backing up bases is critical. Usually, the ability of the pitcher to stop overthrows (to 3rd and home) determine if the overthrow will cost any more extra bases.

To determine which base to back up -- 3rd or home -- it is important to understand the throwing rules of outfielders.

In most multiple runner situations, the outfielder is going to throw to third to keep the hitter at second base (double with runner one). Remember most outfielders at the college and pro levels can throw to the plate on hard hit balls right at them, depending on where they are playing (depth) and the strength of their arm.

The most important aspects of backing up a base are to:

1. Get as much depth as the field allows. Get all the way back to the dugout (when backing up 3rd) or to the fence (behind home plate).
2. Keep your knees flexed and be ready to smother the ball to keep it out of the dugout or off the fence. When backing up bases, you essentially become a goalie. Keep the baseball in front of you. The farther back you are, the easier this is to do. You must hustle to get into position.

20 Things Every Baseball Pitcher Should Accomplish Every Time They Pitch

I'm big on setting goals. If you lay out your game plan and goals, you have a better chance to accomplish them. Here's 20 to get you started. What pitching goals would you add to this list?

1. Develop quality pitching mechanics.
2. Throw first pitch strikes.
3. Display the mental discipline to handle tough situations.
4. Throw effective pitches while your ahead in the count.
5. Use positive self talk after difficulty.
6. Finish batters off quickly.
7. Work with a quick rhythm/tempo.
8. Aim for a strike-to-ball ratio of 67% to 33% respectively.
9. Take deep breaths to relax.
10. Get outs before the 3 ball count.
11. Focus on the target with your next pitch, concentrate.
12. Control the inner half of the plate ... own it!
13. Commit to pitching with good preparation: exercise properly, eat well.
14. Field your position well.
15. Be positive: support teammates, even after errors and let the ump call his game. (Be the first one to congratulate your teammate after a good play behind you and the first one to pick him up after a mistake.)
16. Back up bases correctly.
17. Hold runners.
18. Protect your hitters: If your teammate gets plunked ... (!)
19. Use a modified slide step from the stretch, so you can have a quick release to the plate with runners on base.
20. Tell yourself three things:
    
    • "I'm going to hit the glove."
    • "I'm going to dominate today."
    • "I'll be the best in the shortest amount of time possible by working the hardest."

How To Get Hitters Out In 4 Pitches Or Less

Every pitcher should make it a personal goal to get a hitter out in four pitches or less. To do this, every pitch you throw has got to have a purpose. Use the high fastball to set up a low breaking pitch. Use an outside changeup to set up an inside fastball.

One of the main points of pitching is to disrupt the batter's timing. Changing speeds and pitch location can cause enough disruption to get a batter out in front of pitch and induce a weak ground ball.

Greg Maddux is the king of disrupting timing. Every pitch he throws is at a different speed than the previous one. Every pitch has a purpose, either to setup a future pitch or to take advantage of hitters' weaknesses. Advanced pitchers such as Curt Schilling will pitch hitters a certain way early in a game to set them up for different pitches later in the game. While this may not be possible at younger ages, it's certainly something to keep in mind.

One thing that might be helpful to you as you work on control is to have someone chart your pitches for you. Break down your pitches by hitters. On the second turn through the order, look at the chart and see what was thrown to the hitter last time. What did the hitter do with it? Between innings, review the three hitters you'll face when you return to the mound. Get an idea of what you want to throw to them during their at bat. I used to sit close to my catcher, so I could talk to him about my plan before I took the mound again. That way, we were always on the same page. And I could continue to work fast.

Granted, this could change based on them getting on base, but at least you have a game plan when you go out to the mound.