Some pitchers are blessed with an overpowering fastball or a biting curveball. Others are not. But no matter a pitcher's natural talent, it won't be enough unless he works on his craft. There are a number of things a pitcher can do to increase the chances of success.
Throwing Strikes
Perhaps the most important aspect for a pitcher is her ability to command the strike zone. Repeating your pitching motion is extremely important, as it develops muscle memory and leads to more control over each pitch. Getting ahead in the count is one of the most important things a pitcher can do. Even a 95 mph fastball can get hit hard if a batter knows it is coming. Working the outside of the plate is generally safer, but pitching inside is needed when players get too comfortable in the batter's box and start looking for the outside pitch.
Changing Speeds
Mixing pitches is the best way to keep a batter off-balance. If a pitcher relies too much on one pitch, batters will realize it and feast on it. Every pitcher needs at least one off-speed pitch in his arsenal. Whether that pitch is a curveball, slider, changeup or something else, it plays off the fastball and makes the batter guess which pitch is coming. While nearly every pitcher has a fastball, the secondary pitch can be anything. Find out which off-speed pitch gives you the most success, then perfect it. Relief pitchers can generally rely on two pitches, but starters will likely need three or four since the batters will face them multiple times.
Pitch Movement
While the speed of the pitch is important, so too is its movement. Some of the best pitchers in the major leagues have only average fastballs, but find extraordinary success because of the pitch's movement. Much of this is natural, but play around with slightly different grips to maximize the movement on pitches. The more a pitch moves vertically and horizontally, the harder it is to hit.
Velocity
While other factors are important, speed is still crucial. Quite simply, the faster a ball is thrown, the less reaction time a batter will have. Toning your muscles---not only the upper body, but the lower body as well---will help increase velocity. The better base a pitcher has, the more it will help her throw. A pitcher also needs to stretch out her arm, gradually building up strength. Find a pitching coach with a professional program for optimal results.
Preventing Injury
Many pitchers are derailed by injuries. Since throwing a baseball is an unnatural movement, injuries to the shoulder or elbow are common. A pitcher can take every necessary precaution and still get bitten by the injury bug. With that being said, there are still ways to reduce the chance of injury. First, be sure to stretch before throwing. This helps maintain good flexibility and allows the body to warm up. Also, pitchers should be on strict pitch counts, depending on the age. USA Baseball recommends 9- to 10-year-olds to throw a maximum of 50 pitches per game, and 11- to 14-year-olds 75 pitches per game.
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