Total Reading Time: 8 minutes

Happy Monday! Hopefully you survived 4th of July weekend with all 10 fingers and toes. Today we’re looking deeper into the issue of Command - specifically where to start working on it and how to schedule it into your bullpens. I also want to address the stressful summer most of you have endured and offer some helpful perspective.

Plus a Pitching Summit update!

So Let’s Go!

First - A Pitching Summit Update…

One of the articles in today’s newsletter is about how difficult your summer has been. And while I don’t need to tell you that, one of the casualties of this summer has been the Pitching Summit.

This super popular event has always had great attendance since it’s the only event solely targeted at college pitching coaches and the specific issues all of you face. But this year, sadly, signups were so low that I was forced to cancel it for this first time ever.

We had terrific speakers who were excited for the Summit, and had some incredibly valuable topics.

But I’ve found a way to have them share their information with all of you. Since we’re bringing back the Pitching Zooms each speaker has agreed to join one of our zooms and give their presentation.

Look for the Zoom schedule in an upcoming issue of Curveball Chronicles!

Command - The Final Chapter

In the first issue I talked about the difference between Control and Command and the tremendous value of having command. Followed by last week’s article on the value of measuring it and embracing the misses.

A quick recap:

• Control - the ability to throw a pitch anywhere in the strike zone without really knowing where it will land. Just getting a strike.

• Command - the ability to throw the pitch where you choose to in or out of the strike zone.

Our final installment on COMMAND will explore two final concepts:

1. Where to Start Working On Command

2. How to Put ALL of this Into Their Bullpens

Where to Start Working On Command -

The best place to start when working on command is to first determine, is the pitcher an East/West Pitcher - meaning she throws mostly Curveballs and/or Screwballs, or is she a North/South Pitcher - meaning she throws mostly Rises and/or Drops.

This is critical because it gives you and your pitcher a starting point for command. For instance, an East/West Pitcher should start focusing on commanding the Gloveside and Armside of the strikezone (Inside and Outside). Insisting this type of pitcher also command the top and the bottom of the zone will only weaken her overall command, confidence and effectiveness.

Likewise, a North/South Pitcher should start by commanding the Top and Bottom of the zone. Again, having her also trying to command the Inside and Outside parts of the zone put her out of her strength and will water down her overall command, confidence and effectiveness.

Remember, Commanding parts of the zone is VERY different from throwing into that part of the zone!

How to Put ALL of This Into Their Bullpens

Once we determine each pitcher’s natural movement direction, then we need to look at how we plug this concept of Command into our bullpens, along with all the other stuff we’re trying to cram in.

FALL is when the “development” time happens - when we can introduce new concepts, improve pitch movement, increase and measure command and crank up the velo.

But how do we do all this without overwhelming our pitchers or leaving something out on our end? That’s the important question to ask and fortunately, I’ve got an answer for you.

Start by designating one day for each of the different concepts your pitchers need to be successful. Too often we do everything everyday leading to very little time to really move forward with anything.

Instead, separate the different concepts and designate a single day during the Fall to focus on each one:

• Velocity

• Pitch Movement/Development

• Command

You’ll also need as day to Put All These Concepts Together, and then a day to Lighten the Overall Workload but Give Attention to the Concept Needed the Most by Each Pitcher.

It’ll look something like this:

I know Fall seems a million miles away right now. Especially since you’ve still got more weekends of recruiting ahead of you, but NOW is when you should start planning out your Fall Workout Days. Get ahead of things while you have time and plan for what each of these bullpen days will look like in detail, for each pitcher.

Your Valuable Summer of Struggle

This has been a difficult summer for coaches. So many changes in the college landscape; players who said they were staying transferred out the next day, and budgets have shrunk or are up in the air.

All of this can take a toll on you, stressing you out and putting stress on the people around you.

But one thing we do to stress ourselves out is we start comparing ourselves to others, or our situation to people and programs we see on social media. It’s a trap we all fall into, and one that never makes us feel better.

It reminds me of this quote that puts this kind of comparison into great perspective:

While your summer of struggle has taken a toll on you, as coaches we’re always telling our players the value of “struggle” and how it’s important for growth - how it makes us better.

This all sounds great, until it deals with us. I read something recently from the Abundance Alchemist that says:

Right before the breakthrough, you’ll feel like everything’s falling apart. People leave. Energy drops. Doubt screams louder than truth. It’s not a sign to stop - it’s the moment your old life resists collapse. Keep going. This is the contraction before your rebirth.

Something to definitely keep in mind as you tackle the uncertainties in your world…

Thanks for reading this week’s Curveball Chronicles. I hope it gave you some insight to help your pitchers, and to also give yourself some grace.

Make your week Great!

Missed some previous issues? Don’t worry, I’ve got them all for you on my website: https://pitchingcoachcentral.com/curveball-newsletter/