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Concepts
The
preceding research provides findings that universally apply to
all types of hitters.
1. Pitchers should throw all pitches for 66.7% strikes.
2. Pitchers should end 75% of at bats within three pitches.
3. Pitchers should end 100% of at bats within five pitches.
4. Pitchers should be able to pitch equally well to both sides
of home plates.
5. Pitchers should learn what pitches each hitter anticipates
on the first and second pitches.
6. Pitchers should learn their best three pitch sequences with
which to achieve the lowest batting averages and on base percentages
for the four types of hitters.
There
are two problems with the Marshall pitch sequence theory. First,
managers hate walks. Therefore, they order pitchers to throw
first pitch fastballs. Second, to learn the skills required to
throw these pitches require my training and a long time to perfect.
Therefore, pitchers have to make a long-term commitment to excellence.
Otherwise, they will never find out how good they can be.
1. Four Types
of Pitches
There
are four types of pitches; fastballs, breaking balls, screwballs
and no-spin. Fastballs come off the ends of the tip of pitche's
second and third digits. Breaking balls come off the inside of
the tip of the pitcher's third digit. Screwballs come off the
outside of tip of the pitcher's third digit. Although my straight-line
Maxline and Torque force application techniques improve their
control, I do not teach no-spin pitches such as knuckleballs
and forkballs.
My
pitchers have four types of fastballs that they can throw; Maxline
four seam fastballs, Maxline two seam fastballs, Torque four
seam fastballs and Torque two seam fastballs. Four seam fastballs
do not fall due to gravity as much as two seam fastballs. Pitchers
have to understand which type of fastball each of the four types
of hitters prefer and throw the fastball that they least want
to hit. Hitters who hold their bats vertically prefer low pitches.
Therefore, pitchers should throw four seam fastballs. Hitters
who hold their bats horizontally prefer high pitches. Therefore,
pitchers should throw two seam fastballs.
My
pitchers have three types of breaking balls that they can throw;
Torque sliders, Maxline curves and Torque curves. Pitchers have
to understand which type of breaking ball each of the four types
of hitter prefer and throw the breaking ball that they least
want to hit. Hitters who stand close to and stride away from
home plate prefer inside breaking balls. Therefore, pitchers
should throw breaking balls that move away from them. Hitters
who stand away from and stride toward home plate prefer outside
breaking balls. Therefore, pitchers should throw breaking balls
that into them.
My
pitchers have four types of screwballs that they can throw; Torque
sinkers, Maxline sinkers, Torque screwballs and Maxline screwballs.
Pitchers have to understand which type of screwball each of the
four types of hitter prefer and throw the screwball that they
least want to hit. Hitters who stand close to and stride away
from home plate prefer inside screwballs. Therefore, pitchers
should throw screwballs that move away from them. Hitters who
stand away from and stride toward home plate prefer outside screwballs.
Therefore, pitchers should throw screwballs that into them.
b. Pitches
to Throw the Four Types of Hitters
When
quality hitters correctly anticipate pitches, they will hit them
hard. When quality hitters do not correctly anticipate pitches,
they cannot generate swings at their full intensity. Therefore,
when pitchers properly sequence pitches, they take away the intensity
of the hitter's swings and reduce extra base hits. Quality pitchers
never throw what hitters anticipate. Pitchers must always challenge
themselves to throw the correct pitch for every situation.
During
the first three at bats, pitchers should start hitters with each
of the three types of pitches, starting with the non-fastball
pitchers. For subsequent at bats, pitchers should study how each
hitter responded to the three types of pitches and develop hitter-specific
five pitch sequences. When hitters adapt to their five pitch
sequences, pitchers have to develop new hitter-specific five
pitch sequences and the chess match is on. If hitters do not
adapt, then pitchers should not change their five pitch sequences.
Most
hitters want to hit home runs. Therefore, most hitters want a
first pitch fastball on the inside part of home plate that they
can turn on. Consequently, pitchers must first always assume
that hitters want fastballs inside. Until hitters prove that
they can easily handle pitches away from them, pitchers should
continue to throw away from hitters. The real fun begins when
hitters can easily handle pitches away from them and turn hard
on pitches in on them. Then, we see who can out-anticipate the
other. Fortunately, very few hitters are sufficiently skilled
to easily handle pitches away from them and turn hard on pitches
in on them.
1. Left-Hand
Pull Hitters
Left-handed
pull hitters only hit to the pull field. Left-handed pull hitters
typically stand close to and stride away from home plates. Left-handed
pull hitters typically hold their bats vertical.
For
the first pitch to left-handed pull hitters, pitchers should
throw their non-fastball pitches that move away from their bats.
Right-handed pitchers should throw first pitch Maxline curves,
Maxline sinkers or Maxline screwballs. Left-handed pitchers should
throw first pitch Torque sliders, Torque sinkers, Torque screwballs
or Torque curves.
For
the second pitch to left-handed pull hitters, pitchers should
add the appropriate type of fastball to their first pitch selections.
Right-handed pitchers should add Maxline four seam fastballs.
Left-handed pitchers should add Torque four seam fastballs. Prior
to achieving two strikes on hitters, I strongly recommend that
pitchers do not repeat pitches.
For
the third pitch to left-handed pull hitters, pitchers have to
respond to the ball/strike count. If the count is two balls/no
strikes, then pitchers have to throw the non-fastball pitch with
which they can throw the highest percentage strike. If the count
is one ball/one strike, then, without repeating the first pitch,
pitchers can throw whatever non-fastball pitch they prefer. If
the count is no ball/two strikes, then pitchers can throw whatever
extreme pitch they want. Fastballs, curves and screwballs are
extreme pitches. Sliders and sinkers are not extreme pitches.
2. Left-Handed
Spray Hitters
Pitchers
must start all hitters as though they are pull hitters. However,
after some hitters demonstrate that they can easily hit outside
pitches to the non-pull field, pitchers have to adjust.
Left-handed
spray hitters hit to all fields. Left-handed spray hitters stand
away from and stride toward home plates. Left-handed spray hitters
hold their bats horizontal.
For
the first pitch to left-handed spray hitters, pitchers should
throw their non-fastball pitches that move inward under their
bats. Right-handed pitchers should throw first pitch Torque sliders,
Torque curves, Torque sinkers or Torque screwballs. Left-handed
pitchers should throw first pitch Maxline sinkers, Maxline screwballs
or Maxline curves.
For
the second pitch to left-handed spray hitters, pitchers should
add the appropriate fastball to their first pitch selections.
Right-handed pitchers should add Torque two seam fastballs. Left-handed
pitchers should add Maxline two seam fastballs. Prior to achieving
two strikes on the hitter, I strongly recommend that pitchers
do not repeat pitches.
For
the third pitch to left-handed spray hitters, pitchers have to
respond to the ball/strike count. If the count is two balls/no
strikes, then pitchers have to throw non-fastball pitch with
which they throw the highest percentage strike. If the count
is one ball/one strike, then pitchers can throw whatever non-fastball
pitch they prefer without repeating the first pitch. If the count
is no ball/two strikes, then pitchers can throw whatever extreme
pitch they want. Fastballs, curves and screwballs are extreme
pitches. Sliders and sinkers are not extreme pitches.
3. Right-Hand
Pull Hitters
Right-handed
pull hitters hit to the pull field. Right-handed pull hitters
stand close to and stride away from home plates. Right-handed
pull hitters hold their bats vertical.
For the first pitch to right-handed pull hitters, pitchers should
throw their non-fastball pitches that move away from their bats.
Right-handed pitchers should throw first pitch Torque sliders,
Torque sinkers, Torque screwballs or Torque curves. Left-handed
pitchers should throw first pitch Maxline curves, Maxline sinkers
or Maxline screwballs.
For
the second pitch to right-handed pull hitters, pitchers should
add the appropriate fastball to their first pitch selections.
Right-handed pitchers should add Torque four seam fastballs.
Left-handed pitchers should add Maxline four seam fastballs.
Prior to achieving two strikes on hitters, I strongly recommend
that pitchers do not repeat pitches.
For
the third pitch to right-handed pull hitters, pitchers have to
respond to the ball/strike count. If the count is two balls/no
strikes, then pitchers have to throw non-fastball pitch with
which they throw the highest percentage strike. If the count
is one ball/one strike, then pitchers can throw whatever non-fastball
pitch they prefer without repeating the first pitch. If the count
is no ball/two strikes, then pitchers can throw whatever extreme
pitch they want. Fastballs, curves and screwballs are extreme
pitches. Sliders and sinkers are not extreme pitches.
4. Right-Handed
Spray Hitters
Right-handed
spray hitters hit to all fields. Right-handed spray hitters stand
away from and stride toward home plates. Right-handed spray hitters
hold their bats horizontal.
For
the first pitch to right-handed spray hitters, pitchers should
throw their non-fastball pitches that move inward under their
bats. Right-handed pitchers should throw first pitch Maxline
sinkers, Maxline screwballs or Maxline curves. Left-handed pitchers
should throw first pitch Torque sliders, Torque curves, Torque
sinkers or Torque screwballs.
For
the second pitch to right-handed spray hitters, pitchers should
add the appropriate fastball to their first pitch selections.
Right-handed pitchers should throw second pitch Maxline two seam
fastballs. Left-handed pitchers should throw second pitch Torque
two seam fastballs. Prior to achieving two strikes on the hitter,
I strongly recommend that pitchers do not repeat pitches.
For
the third pitch to right-handed spray hitters, pitchers have
to respond to the ball/strike count. If the count is two balls/no
strikes, then pitchers have to throw non-fastball pitch with
which they throw the highest percentage strike. If the count
is one ball/one strike, then pitchers can throw whatever non-fastball
pitch they prefer without repeating the first pitch. If the count
is no ball/two strikes, then pitchers can throw whatever extreme
pitch they want. Fastballs, curves and screwballs are extreme
pitches. Sliders and sinkers are not extreme pitches.
c. 1975: Dream
to Disaster
During
the 1974 off-season, I worked on learning how to throw a curve.
I needed another pitch to throw to right-handed spray hitters.
I followed every pitching coach instruction. I pulled down the
window shade. I got on top of the ball. I used the stab-the-heart
forearm, wrist and hand technique. I worked hard. My curve broke
sharply.
When
the 1975 championship season started, I felt prepared to dramatically
improve on my 1974 performance. I had learned to throw a hard-breaking
curve. I studied my computer analysis. I knew the most productive
pitch sequences with which to get all four hitter types out.
I was ready. I was excited. Let me at them.
On
April 7, 1975, opening day in Cincinnati, OH, I pitched five
shutout extra innings against Rose, Morgan, Griffey, Perez, Bench,
Foster, Conception, Dressen and Geronimo. With my curve and proper
pitch sequences, I handled them with ease.
On
April 9, 1975, I pitched two and one-third more innings against
the Cincinnati Reds. On April 14, 1975, I pitched three more
shutout innings against the Cincinnati Reds in Los Angeles, CA.
On April 16, 1975, I pitched two more shutout innings against
the Cincinnati Reds in Los Angeles. On April 17, 1975, I pitched
three more innings against the Cincinnati Reds in Los Angeles.
In
my first ten games, I had pitched fifteen and one-third innings
in six games and against the Big Red Machine. The curve worked.
The pitch sequences worked. I felt great. What a year I was going
to have!
On
April 20, 1975, at the start of the eighth inning, I entered
the game against the San Francisco Giants. I faced Darrell Thomas,
a switch hitter that I treated as a left-handed spray hitter.
I had faced Darrell many times. He knew to anticipate my non-fastballs.
Therefore, I started him with my Maxline two seam fastball low
and away for ball one. I threw my new Torque curve low and in
and Darrell fouled it under his bat early. I felt a twinge-like
cramp in my left side below my seventh rib. I threw my Maxline
screwball low and away and Darrell pushed bunted it foul. I threw
my Torque screwball low and in and Darrell grounded it foul early.
I had Darrell set up for my Maxline curve away. I explosively
snapped the curve down. The seventh rib on my left side exploded
from its articulation with my sternum. A searing, sharp pain
shot through my left ribcage. I dropped to my knees in excruciating
pain.
On
April 20, 1975, my dream died. Improvement motivates me. The
best I can be motivates me. Without the curve, I could never
be the best I could be. I did not understand what happened. Just
like my pitching coaches told me, I pulled the window shade down,
I got on top of the ball, I powerfully supinated my forearm,
wrist and hand in the stab-the-heart technique. However, I broke
my rib and my spirit.
Seven
years after I retired from professional pitching, I revisited
the curve. This time I listened to Sir Isaac Newton. I determined
the proper curve force application technique. I learned how to
throw the curve with maximum intensity without injury. Now, I
have a great curve. I tell my pitching students, if I had my
Sir Isaac Newton curve in 1975, I could have been great.
I
know how to teach young pitchers how to throw Maxline four seam
fastballs, Maxline two seam fastballs, Torque four seam fastballs,
Torque two seam fastballs, Torque sliders, Maxline curves, Torque
curves, Maxline sinkers, Torque sinkers, Maxline screwballs and
Torque screwballs. With their commitment to forty weeks of hard
training and years of perfecting their skills in game conditions,
I can show young pitchers how to become the best that they can
be. They can live the dream that I did not. |
