How To Add Depth To Your Pitching Staff

In this episode, we explore the revolutionary potential of sidearm pitching as a game-changing strategy for baseball coaches. By unleashing the untapped talent of underutilized players through unconventional techniques, we discuss how to enhance team performance and create a unique pitching arsenal. 

• The critical role of pitching in winning games 
• Challenges faced by underutilized pitchers 
• Benefits of adopting sidearm pitching techniques 
• Strategic advantages when using sidearm pitchers 
• Real-life success stories of transformed players 
• Embracing unconventional methods for coaching success

Join the Baseball Coaches Unplugged podcast where an experienced baseball coach delves into the world of high school and travel baseball, offering insights on high school baseball coaching, leadership skills, hitting skills, pitching strategy, defensive skills, and overall baseball strategy, while also covering high school and college baseball, recruiting tips, youth and travel baseball, and fostering a winning mentality and attitude in baseball players through strong baseball leadership and mentality.

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:02

Welcome to Baseball Coaches Unplugged with Coach Ken Carpenter, presented by Athlete One. Baseball Coaches Unplugged is a podcast for baseball coaches, with 27 years of high school baseball coaching under his belt, here to bring you the inside scoop on all things baseball, from game-winning strategies and pitching secrets to hitting drills and defensive drills. We're covering it all. Whether you're a high school coach, college coach or just a baseball enthusiast, we'll dive into the tactics and techniques that make the difference on and off the field. Discover how to build a winning mentality. Inspire your players and get them truly bought into your game philosophy Plus, get the latest insights on recruiting, coaching, leadership and crafting a team culture that champions productivity and success. Join Coach every week as he breaks down the game and shares incredible behind-the-scenes stories. Your competitive edge starts here, so check out the show weekly and hear from the best coaches in the game. On Baseball Coaches Unplugged.

Speaker 2: 1:01

Today's episode of Baseball Coaches Unplugged is powered by the netting professionals, improving programs one facility at a time. The netting pros specialize in the design, fabrication and installation of custom netting for baseball and softball. This includes backstops, batting cages, bp turtles, screens, ball carts and more. They also design and install digital graphic wall padding, windscreen, turf, ball carts and more. They also design and install digital graphic wall padding, windscreen, turf, turf protector, dugout benches and cubbies. The Netting Pros aren't limited to just baseball and softball. They also work with football, soccer, lacrosse and golf courses. Contact them today at 844-620-2707. That's 844-620-2707. Or you visit them online at wwwnettingproscom. Check out Netting Pros on X, instagram, facebook and LinkedIn for all their latest products and projects and tell them Baseball Coaches Unplugged sent you. Tell them Baseball Coaches Unplugged sent you. Hello and welcome back to another episode of Baseball Coaches Unplugged. I'm your host, coach Ken Carpenter.

Speaker 2: 2:13

Pitching is the key to winning baseball games. Ask any coach and they'll tell you. You can never have enough pitching. Success in pitching means getting batters out. Now we've all seen pitchers who, despite having great potential, just don't get enough time on the mound. Maybe they're a little bit lower in the pecking order, overshadowed by hard-throwing aces. But here's the thing. Every single player on your team has untapped potential, and it's our job as coaches to bring it out. So what if I told you there was a way to turn these underutilized pitchers into serious contributors, coming out of the bullpen Intrigued?

Speaker 2: 3:00

Let's talk about the magic of sidearm pitching. This is a game-changing technique that can transform your pitchers and give your team a unique edge. Why? Because this is a style that most batters simply aren't used to facing. Now I can hear some coaches. Now I'm not sure about that. I don't know enough about it to teach it. Think about it.

Speaker 2: 3:28

Most hitters are trained to handle over-the-top or three-quarter deliveries, even the pitching machines they don't have machines that throw sidearm. Enter the sidearm pitcher and suddenly they're facing a completely different trajectory. The ball comes across the plate from a lower, more lateral angle, creating natural movement that can baffle hitters. Sidearm pitchers also excel in producing ground balls, making them excellent infield defense allies. Plus, it's often less strain on his shoulder, which is a win for player longevity. It's not just about pitch speed, it's the unique delivery that throws them off balance. The unconventional motion can mess with the batter's timing and perception, giving your team the upper hand.

Speaker 2: 4:32

Sidearm pitchers can be especially effective and they don't even have to throw hard. They can be starters or come out of the bullpen to relieve a pitcher that throws hard and has velocity. By developing the sidearm technique in your players who are seeing limited mound time, not only increase their value, but also diversify your pitching arsenal. It's like having a Swiss Army knife in your bullpen Versatile, surprising and incredibly effective. Think about it. How often do your batters get to practice against sidearm pitchers? Maybe it's the coach that's thrown behind the L screen, that doesn't have a whole lot of life left in his arm, but it's hardly ever right.

Speaker 2: 5:22

Now flip the scenario. Imagine the edge your team will have when your opponents face something they rarely encounter. They'll be caught off guard, make mistakes, and this will give your team the advantage. Incorporating sidearm pitchers into your rotation also allows you to be more strategic with your matchups. Facing a lineup with heavy, with right-handed batters, bring in your sidearm righty to exploit the inside pitches. Got a lefty heavy lineup against you. A sidearm lefty can work wonders with those sweeping outside sliders. It's all about creating those uncomfortable at-bats for your opponents. The key to this is to have an open mind as a coach and to find a player who is open to the idea. If you're going to do it, you have to commit to it. The pitcher will most likely struggle at first, but they have to stick with it.

Speaker 2: 6:21

I've seen it work. I sat my son down when he was going into his sophomore year of high school and told him he was 5'7 and 150 pounds and was going to be an average pitcher at the high school level. I decided to team up with a good friend and fellow coach, mike Yinger, and asked him to share his experience with his sidearm pitcher of his, who eventually signed with Marshall University. I sat him down with my son, jake, and, and we started throwing and he bought in. When he wasn't playing second base, he was brought in to relieve for a hard-throwing lefty who signed at Ohio State and is currently in triple-A with the Detroit Tigers system, and a righty who pitched four years at Mount Vernon University. As for my son, he spent four years coming out of the bullpen for Division II, ohio Dominican University.

Speaker 2: 7:18

So, coaches, next time you look at your rotation and see those players who aren't getting the innings that you would like to see them get, consider this. Give them the tools and the training to develop into sidearm pitchers. It's a strategic move that can turn your underutilized players into game changers. The benefits are immense, not just for the team but for the players themselves. They'll gain confidence, increase some playing time and, who knows, you might be nurturing the next iconic sidearm pitcher. Let's embrace the unconventional, shake things up. Keep pushing the boundaries of our great sport. As always, I'm your host, coach Ken Carpenter, and thanks for listening to Baseball Coaches Unplugged. To Baseball Coaches Unplugged. Baseball Coaches Unplugged is proud to be partnered with the netting professionals, improving programs one facility at a time. Contact them today at 844-620-2707 or visit them online at wwwnettingproscom.