Clipping:The theory of pitching
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| Date | Saturday, February 4, 1871 |
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| Text | The theory of pitching may be summed up in a few words. It is simply that a ball sent to the bat at a medium pace in a curved line is more difficult to hit in its centre than a ball sent in very swiftly and nearly on a straight line. The rule is that the line of the swing of the bat intersects the line of a swiftly pitched ball at a far more acute angle than in the case of the curved line of a slow ball, and hence the chances for hitting the ball in the centre are greater in the former case than in the latter. Herein lies the whole theory of pitching, and the true art of doing so consists of being able to change the pace in delivery, and consequently to alter the curve in the line of the ball, so as to deceive the eye and aim of the batsman in striking at it. Much stress has been laid on the importance of imparting a bias or “twist” to the ball in pitching; but experience has shown the fallacy of the thing very plainly, all “twist” given to the ball only adding to the difficulties of the catcher’s position, by rendering the re-bound of the ball as uncertain and eccentric as in the case of a foul, the latter being caused by the twist imparted to the ball by the stroke of the bat in hitting it below or above the centre line of its diameter. The fact is, the practical results of a curved line delivery, and good judgment in pitching, have hitherto been erroneously attributed to “twisting,” and hence we see pitchers sacrificing accuracy of aim and command of the ball in efforts to impart a twist thereto, the only result of which is to fatigue and annoy the catcher. The three important elements of successful pitching, and without which no man can excel in the position, are: –First, command of the ball; second, the pluck to face the swiftest batted balls; and third, the judgment to outwit your adversary at the bat. Of course, the ability to pitch swiftly, the endurance to stand fatigue and the power to control temper, with the nerve to fight an up-hill battle, are also essentials of success. But without the three first named qualities no pitcher can be successful, inasmuch as speed without command of the ball is too costly, and without pluck the judgment can never be brought into play, and a man who does not use his brains in pitching becomes a mere machine, whom any skillful batsman can punish at will. So much for . |
| Source | New York Clipper |
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| Submitted by | Richard Hershberger |
| Origin | Initial Hershberger Clippings |
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