"In the game of baseball, pitchers probably have the toughest job to do. While trying to keep runners off base, the pitchers sole purpose is to keep runs off the board. Today, there are so many young pitchers that try to strike out every batter they face. My goal as a pitcher is simply to try and place the baseball inside the strike zone where the hitter has a tough time making solid contact. By doing so, I allow my defense to make the out on either a ground ball or a pop fly. Those are the easiest outs in baseball because I am keeping the pitch count low, which allows me to pitch more innings." - Kurt Ainsworth on U.S.A. Baseball (website, 04-2004)