Pitch it... take one giant step backwards and set up like a hockey goalie
So do you guys field from the mound or back pedal and set up behind it? Looking for some tips this will be my first year pitching. Havent seen many guys back pedal and set up like a 5 man... Maybe I'm wrong but don't think it would be to hard to do.
I can pitch without taking a step so thats a plus, This will be some work to get use to.
CLICK THE LINK IN MY SIGNATURE...
As to your specific question - You need to be set with your full concentration on the ball at the time it is hit - DO NOT STEP BACK farther than you can become fully set and concentrating on the ball - Otherwise, you'll be off balance or looking at your feet or whatever and this increases your chance of being hit...
Remember, when the ball is hit at your face, your brain does not pick up that movement right away - the ball simply looks like it's getting bigger, but not moving, since it's coming straight at your eyes - Then the brain says - OH CRAP! - That's heading straight at me....
It's important to be fully concentrating on the ball at the time it is hit in order to give yourself maximum reaction time...
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I usually pitch and turn around and just start running to the outfield.
We typically run a 5 man, so if I'm pitching I usually drift back and to the weak side depending on the batter.
I never go straight back. You minimize your chances of taking a bad off the rubber. You unfortunately also place your self in the line of fire
The link in my sig (Safety Practices When Pitching) suggests that you always mound the dirt in front of the pitching rubber to prevent those hops - I've never had a ball fly up toward me from hitting the rubber...
It's a pain to fill in the other pitcher's divots, but since I pitch from 6 feet back, it's important to make sure the ball continues smoothly past that rubber...
The 6ft pitching box is the best safety change the associations instituted - That's an extra 10% reaction time compared to the 50ft rubber... I can't believe that ASA has not implemented that across all levels!!??!!
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