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7 replies

How to affect a pitcher's rhythm?

BS Brian Shanberg100+ posts
Sorry if this is the wrong section of the forum to post this question...

I've notice some really good pitchers are most effective at getting in a rhythm and working fast. Not quick pitching but very quick delivery once the batter enters the box. No signals from the catcher. Just quick windup and quick delivery of the pitch. Catcher throws the ball back and same thing, quick windup and quick delivery...

Are there any methods to interrupt the pitchers rhythm? Any methods to slow things down a little so the hitters can relax and not feel so rushed?

The field ump observed how effective this type pitching was on our hitters and commented to me during the game that "he can't slow down the pitcher's game. Only our hitters can." The ump also said he can't give a hitter time once the pitcher enters his windup. There was almost no window between pitches.

Any suggestions? Should we have the hitters completely step out of the box on each pitch? (I know this is a no-no in some leagues.) Should we have the coaches extend the time it takes to deliver signals to each hitter between pitches?

This was a well coached pitcher that not only threw well, but used his high frequency rhythm to control the mental aspect of our hitters. Any suggestions?
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NIC15NIC15100+ posts
There is a number of things that you could do such as step in the box, and quick step out, get the sign from your coach, and then give him a sign letting him know you did not get the sign, and to relay it over again. You can step out of the box to tie your cleats, etc.. These are just some little things you can do.
Blue Collar BaseballBlue Collar Baseball10+ posts
It';s a tough question because alot goes into it. I am going to list some things we do in the college game but I also feel doing it at a little league level is just wrong. So take that into consideration, because of course as you get older, it is all about winning, however, youngsters should learn the right way.

To interrupt his rhythm on the mound, yea definintely the call timeout and step out is good. but you might get a warning to stay in the box. In those cases, alot of guys act like theres something in their eye and when hes in his motion they run out of the box. Sometimes guys would be flicking balls up and down in the dugout and a ball"accidently" rolled into foul ground causing upmires to call time. But thats Bush league. However, with runners on base, have guys stutter step, or they have the right to call time out as well. I have found that getting a really good at bat and fouling off pitches will often throw a guy off his rhytmn. Try and see what works, but try not to compromise your values. Good luck
piaa_umppiaa_ump5,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by Blue Collar Baseball:
To interrupt his rhythm on the mound, yea definintely the call timeout and step out is good. but you might get a warning to stay in the box.

However, with runners on base, have guys stutter step, or they have the right to call time out as well. I have found that getting a really good at bat and fouling off pitches will often throw a guy off his rhytmn. Try and see what works, but try not to compromise your values. Good luck


I took much of this post from a thread we have going in the "ask the umpire forum"........

As a point of rule...batters/players do not call time out. they request it. Only the umpire can call time out....Batters/players should not assume they will be granted time at every request.

Baseball is a mental game,true.... but it is not in the best interest of the game to allow uncontrolled time outs. Many new HS age players learn this the hard way, the pitcher is in his motion, the batter puts his hand up and steps out of the box only to take a strike when time is not granted..........

Also on the bases.....if there is no apparent reason for the timeout, other than disprupting the flow of the game...the umpire does not have to grant it....
K kevins1100+ posts
Rhythm is all about the pitcher doing the same thing over and over and getting used to it. So change it up have a guy bunt and make the pitcher get off the mound, hit and run if there is a guy on, or have the runner on base make the pitcher throw over. Or if this does not work then have the batter keep a foot in the box and have the coach extended the signs or if the ump allows it step out of the box and tap your cleats off and get the signs.

As I said rhythm is about doing something that the pitcher is comfortable with and doing over and over again, so some way you have to make the pitcher change up what he is doing whether the hitter forces it to happen or if it as simple as a walk. You would be amazed at some of the minuet things I have seen that get the pitcher out of a rhythm.
Rick HarigRick Harig10+ posts
Can't beat em - join em! There are lots of ways to disrupt the rhythm of a pitcher - see above for a few... but you can also use the pitcher's rhythm to your advantage - feel his rhythm and join in! EXPECT things to move at his pace and when they do it feels like a Dejavue..like you have been there before and it is fun.. then once you feel like you are in his rhythm, step out of it by design.. not only will you feel more in control than ever but it becomes more fun. The reason is that you are with him in the first place - you don't have to break out but when you do you feel in control whereas before you felt like it was a semi desparate attempt to change him... EXPECTING things to happen makes them fun when they actually do happen!
Rick H.
www.baseball-cap.net
Performance and Development coaching

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