The Importance of Practicing Pitch-Outs in Softball
Pitch-outs aren’t as easy to complete as everyone thinks they are. Softball pitchers are taught how to throw pitches in the strike zone by utilizing correct pitching mechanics. Pitchers also deliver 99.9% of their pitches in a game, with the catcher in a squat position behind the plate. During a pitch-out, the catcher will stand with their throwing arm extended out to their side to indicate where the pitch should be placed. Once the pitcher releases the ball, the standing catcher will shift over to center her body and receive the pitch. An executed pitch out should be pitched high and outside enough where the hitter cannot make contact with it, and accurate enough so that the catcher can catch it.
Practicing pitch-outs is often unheard of in softball, and this is not uncommon. They are the most overlooked piece of the pitching game puzzle. It is also not unusual that a pitcher must execute a pitch out in a high-pressure situation. This could be with a winning run on third base with first base open and the best hitter in the box. This creates pressure in the pitcher’s mind while delivering the pitch-out, because if she misses one of two things can happen. First, the ball could sail over the catcher or be underthrown, and the runner at third could score. Second, the pitch could be too close to the zone, and the hitter could make contact.
Many times when a pitch-out occurs there will be a defensive shift. The corners will often be brought in closer to the hitter, in case the ball gets away and they have to cover home. Why wouldn’t the pitcher cover home, isn’t that her job? This is a common question asked, and if you watch the speed of a college game, you will learn that sometimes pitchers just can’t get there fast enough. If the corners are playing in during a pitch-out, it’s important that the pitcher can keep the ball far enough out of the zone so the hitter won’t make contact.
Pitch-outs can be incredibly mental for the pitcher on the mound. This could be because of a few things. First, pitch-outs are rarely practiced in softball. They don’t occur often, but it’s important that coaches implement a way for a pitcher to work on these in practice so they can be ready if necessary on game days. Second, pitchers are trained to throw strikes in or near the zone. Some would argue that it’s easier for a pitcher to “pitch around” a hitter than to execute a pitch-out. This may be true in some instances, but you run the risk of the pitcher missing a pitch too close to the zone and the hitter making contact.
The Minnesota State high school league recently released a new rule for this upcoming season that pitchers no longer have to throw four pitches to issue an intentional walk. Instead of executing a pitch-out, the pitcher or the coach can elect to put the runner on base with no pitches thrown. I guess that this rule was implemented in an attempt to speed up the game. Time is often wasted when pitchers throw four pitches to walk a batter intentionally. This new rule is also taking a big piece away from the game, and now these high school pitchers won’t be practicing or thinking about executing a pitch-out until college.
Pitch-outs were designed to put the pitcher in a challenging and often high-pressure situation. They are not easy to execute if practice and time have not been spent on it. There have been many games won and lost at every level due to pitchers being unable to execute a pitch-out. It’s also crucial that hitters stay mentally and physically ready when they step in the box when a catcher or a coach calls for a pitch-out. It can be frustrating for the hitter who is on a hot streak to be intentionally walked over-and-over again during a game. Instead of getting frustrated, take it as a compliment that the other team doesn’t want to pitch to you. Hitters in this situation should hug the plate and be ready for the miss. It is possible that a pitcher may toss one of the four pitches close enough to make direct contact.
If you are a base runner on the bases and a pitch-out is taking place, be ready to run. It is also common for the pitcher to miss high or low on a pitch out causing the ball to reach the backstop. Runners on first should be thinking about two bases if this happens. Runners on second and third should be ready to break for the next base on every pitch. If the ball gets away, which there is an excellent chance it might, you must be prepared to move up to the next base and score.
Pitch-outs are a big part of the game of softball and yet the most under coached and overlooked pitching craft. Even if it’s only once a week, it’s important to put pitchers into a high-pressure pitch-out situation in practice. Games can be won or lost because of a pitch-out not being executed due to lack of preparation or too much pressure on the pitcher. It’s essential that coaches and pitchers take it upon themselves to practice pitch-outs. It can be the difference maker in a tight game, and you or your team don’t want to be on the losing end because of it.
