Pitch Selection vs. Pitch Execution

A lot of people out there love to talk about pitch selection and what to throw where and when.  All that is great but for most people in the baseball world that is nearly impossible.  Do you realize how tough it really is to command all of your pitches in and out of the strike zone?  Most professionals can't do that on a regular basis.  Yes, I just said that and I will say it again.  Most professionals do not truly command all there pitches.  I am talking about all the kids in this world in the Minor Leagues trying to become big leaguers.  I am not even mentioning all the kids in college and high school attempting to take a crack at their dream.  So why is it that there is so much emphasis on the proper pitch selection during a game?

I definitely do not take myself out of this equation.  I still have days where I get lost in the process that pitch selection rules.  But the more I am in this game of baseball and I watch these young pitchers work through a game, I see that execution rules and at least for now, pitch selection takes a back seat.

Lets look at this in a couple different ways.  First, from the younger players perspective, let's say high school and younger.  How well do they truly command all their pitches in a game or even in a bullpen?  How well do they truly throw the pitch like it is supposed to be thrown?  With the proper spin and velocity to the fastball, change-up, curveball, slider, splitter and whatever else you could think to throw?  Not that often would be my answer.  Because if they did, they would all be number one picks!!  So, if this is true, if we know that most kids who are younger have, not only a tough time making the pitch do what it needs to do, but then also have a tough time locating the pitch, how can we talk to them about pitch selection?  Our entire focus should be solely on developing the proper movement and feel to all their pitches and nothing else.  Results will take care of themselves if the focus is put on the subject in the proper way.

Now, if we look at the second vantage point, let's say college and higher, it is time to believe in what you throw and execute those pitches in a game.  If you did the proper work as a youngster, develop the proper movement, spin, feel, deception, arm action to your pitches then now it is time to go execute them.  And if you are able to execute pitches when you throw them then the hitter is going to have problems whether you selected the proper pitch or not.

Through years of study and research, a man by the name of Perry Husband developed a program called Effective Velocity.  It is a study on what the hitter truly sees out of the hand of the pitcher and all the intricacies of what needs to happen or not happen for the hitter to be on-time and develop hard contact consistently.  If you have time to look this guy up and his program you should immediately.  Part of the study talks about what the batter sees out of the pitchers hand and that if we, as pitchers, can do a few things well we will be able to throw the hitter off his timing.  None of the few things he talks about is pitch selection, they all have to do with spin, direction and speed.  The selection of the pitch comes after all that.  Now I am not going to go into this in depth, you are going to have to look up Perry Husband and buy his books for all that....but you get my drift.

So, if you are a young pitcher working towards your dream, make sure and put all your energy and emphasis on producing quality pitches first!!  Pitch selection will come with time and experience and plenty of repetition, but for right now EXECUTION RULES!!!!

Have a great week everyone!!!!