A pitcher tips the hitter when he makes a gesture or maneuver that gives away the next pitch before it is thrown. Tipping a pitch should be avoided at all costs. There are number of actions that a pitcher can take to avoid tipping his pitches. Tipping pitches is often done unintentionally.
Step 1
Watch videotape of yourself on the pitcher's mound as frequently as you can and look for any "tells" when you are on the mound. Check for gestures or maneuvers that you are making that tell the hitter which pitch is coming next. Many pitchers will subconsciously make a gesture prior to throwing a difficult pitch that will allow the batter or a member of the offensive team to know which pitch is coming.
Step 2
Hold the ball in your glove the same way before every pitch. After taking the signals from the catcher, pitchers grip the baseball depending on the particular pitch they intend to throw. Some pitchers push harder into their glove to get the best grip when they throw a breaking ball. Some hitters and coaches will see the extra strain you are showing and decipher the movement as a breaking pitch. They use that tip to hit the ball hard.
Step 3
Eliminate all of your facial movements prior to your pitch release. It's relatively easy to come over the top and release a fastball with an overhand motion, but it's harder to throw a curveball or a slider. You may inadvertently stick your tongue in your cheek when preparing to throw a curveball. This is a giveaway that tips the pitch.
Step 4
Ask the catcher to use a series of signals when a runner occupies second base. That runner is able to see the catcher's signals and can relay them to the hitter if he understands what pitch is coming next. Discuss with the catcher the signals that you use and communicate frequently to avoid detection by the hitter.
Member Comments