The Centerpiece of Your Team
Why your role as a pitcher extends far off the mound
Every baseball team has a leader, it may be a player or even your coach, but every team must have one individual or a group that leads the team. There is one case of when a non-leader has to orchestrate the team on the field, and this occurs with your pitcher. Regardless if your pitcher is the farthest thing from the leader of your team, while on the field he must lead the actions of all the players.
The pitcher is the conductor of the team. Every player must be focused on the pitcher at all times so they can always be ready for any situation occurring during play. This goes unnoticed to most fans, and to many amateur players, but it will no doubt help to improve any team.
Focusing on the pitcher allows you to be prepared to react to a hit. If you are an infielder, your eyes should be focused on the pitcher and his release point. It only takes a second for the pitcher to release the ball and a hitter to smack a ground ball in your direction. This is why if you are focused on the pitcher your body can be ready to react to the ball.
As soon as the pitcher releases the ball, your weight should be shifted to the balls of your feet in order for you to be ready to move. As an infielder you should be in an athletic stance with your feet outside of your knees so you can move in any direction in a quick and swift
movement. This will without a doubt improve your fielding percentage, and will give your team a better chance to win.
An outfielder is no different; they should also be focusing on the pitcher, and his release. Just as infielders, outfielders should be in an athletic stance ready to get a good jump on a hit ball. It is the most important part of an outfielder’s job, getting a good jump on a catchable ball. Even if a ball is not catchable, getting a good jump on a ball can allow you to cut off the ball so it is not able to roll all the way to the outfield wall.
This is why your pitcher is the conductor of your team. He may not be the best leader on the team, but all in all, his position entitles him to be considered the lead man on the team. After all, every play begins when he is ready to throw a pitch.