The Importance of Pitcher Fielding Practice
It is crucial that pitchers are able to field their position on the softball field. Pitchers are going to be treated differently on every team. Some coaches run team practices and have their pitchers throw a bullpen to catchers off to the side while the team works on defense or hitting. Other coaches expect pitchers to get pitching time in at their own individual practices on their own time. Then there are some coaches who leave it up to the pitchers and their preference. I am a strong advocate for the second two scenarios for many different reasons.
Pitchers should practice pitching on their own outside of team practices. Going to pitching lessons or pitching clinics are a great way for pitchers to get some additional practice in. Pitchers should never solely rely on warming up for games as pitching practice. I would advise pitchers to practice on their own at least two to three times per week on top of games.
It is common for pitchers to only focus on pitching at lessons, clinics, and individual practices. How could it not be? A pitcher’s main job on the defense is to throw strikes. What pitchers, coaches, and parents often lose sight of is that pitchers are fielders too and need to be able to field their position and make an accurate throw to first base.
If pitchers are excused from the defensive portion of practice to go throw a bullpen, they are missing out on developing and maintaining their defensive skills. Pitchers are part of the defense and should be treated as defensive players. My advice would be to implement full team defensive situations into practice with the pitcher in the circle. Have a coach soft toss ground balls to the infielders and fly balls to the outfielders with the pitcher in the circle.
I would advise coaches to use caution when hitting fly balls to center field with the pitcher in the circle. If a coach lacks bat control, move the pitcher off to the side so they are out of the danger zone. Before the coach hits each ball, have the pitcher go through her wind up. This is beneficial for both the pitcher and the fielders because it replicates the pitcher delivering the pitch and the ball being put into play.
It is extremely important for pitchers to practice ground balls and bunt coverages during full team defense at practice. This will help the pitcher get more comfortable with her fielders and will benefit the defense as a whole when they are put into a game situation.
Pitchers are also expected to be able to make accurate throws to first base. Pitchers have thrown millions of underhand pitches in their lifetime, and as they get older, they will practice overhand throws less and less. My advice would be to always have pitchers warm up with 10-20 overhand throws before every pitching practice. It is also important for pitchers to focus on good throws going full speed during the defensive segments at practice. Make sure the pitcher gets her feet set and practices good over hand throwing mechanics. This will likely carry over to games where pitchers being able to field and execute an accurate throw matters the most.
Pitchers who are able to throw strikes, field their position, and make a strong accurate throw to first on a ground ball or a bunt will set themselves apart from many other pitchers. The opposing team’s job is to find and expose the weaknesses of the team they are playing. Once a team identifies a pitcher who struggles with one of the above, the game plan will change and that team will do everything in their power to put runners on base by abusing the pitcher’s weakness. Teams who use pitchers as defensive players at practice and pitchers who practice fielding and overhand throws on their own will be more defensively sound and will be more successful on the softball field.
