"pitch for contact and first pitch strikes" are part of the same concept. " Get a result in three pitches or less." Try throwing your best stuff knee high down the middle. It is harder than you think. Add velocity and movement. You are being aggressive and fearless. Never lob the ball but learn to throw the bp fastball.
"Be a leader on the bump".
Work fast and dont be boring. Position players show up to hit not watch a pitcher strike guys out in 3-2 counts or worse watch you walk em loaded. I had a theory as a pitcher: If I walk a guy I take responsability for the error that was about to happen. I couldnt control errors but I can control tempo, walks, and how hard I compete.
The Umpire screwed me.
Umpires are a non issue cause an umpires #1 goal is to get payed and go home. Therefore you get his trust by committing to the strike zone early, and he'll see you two are on the same page. Once you get a rep as a guy who is not scared they work for you.
If a pitcher figures this stuff out young it will help them enjoy thier time as players a lot more. Cliff Lee knows this stuff and you can see it in the way he pitches. You dont realize how good his stuff is cause he packages it nice and neat. If he misses he pitches off of the mistake so you never realize he didnt mean to throw every pitch he threw where he threw it.
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