The importance of pinpoint accuracy

Many pitchers believe that developing a large arsenal of pitches will make them more effective. While this may be a good theory, Marissa Young counsels that accuracy is more important. In her opinion, it’s better to have a hurler who throws three pitches that work 80% to 90% of the time versus one who throws six pitches only 30% to 40% of the time.

Success happens when pitchers throw consistently and hit the right spots in pressure situations. To ensure accurate pitches, Coach Young recommends that pitchers focus on building a foundation of only three pitches: a fastball, an off-speed pitch, and a breaking pitch.

The pitch she encourages hurlers to throw most often is a fastball. It tends to be the pitch that most players are confident with because they’ve likely thrown it the most often. If your pitchers are able to locate that pitch in all four quadrants, they’ll be effective.

There’s always going to be a day when a pitcher’s best breaking pitch doesn’t work: it’s not getting to the spot she wants or it’s not moving in a way that prompts the umpire to call it a strike. When that happens, your pitchers need to be able to find a way to hit that location. A fastball is a great way to do that.

Pitching mistakes at the collegiate level can be quite damaging, so it’s crucial to throw pitches that are consistent and hit the right spot.