Reply to "Advice on pitching machine"

Originally Posted by Rob T:

Dash -

Just a thought - wouldn't you want a machine that throws breaking stuff as well?

I watch a lot of youth/HS ball and where I see the biggest weakness in plate umpires is inconsistent calls on breaking balls.

It is not necessary for the machine to throw breaking balls, since no pitch is straight anyway. Proper use of the eyes is tracking the pitch all the way to the mitt (and then watching what the catcher does with it) before making a decision. This will lead to proper timing and fewer errors in judgement. Inconsistency on breaking balls is caused by calling the pitch (i.e., deciding if it is a strike or ball) when it is still 10 feet in front of the plate.

3/13/1310:19 AM

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