PitchCommand: Develop command of pitch location and speed

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How fine is your command?

Command of pitch location and speed is essential for a successful pitcher and PitchCommand is the only tool that measures both location and speed!

Feedback that tells the pitcher how well or poorly he is doing is essential to his continued improvement and ultimate mastery of the art of pitching

The ability to execute a pitch is the cornerstone of effective pitching, where execute means to throw to the desired location at the desired speed. The only sure fire way to develop control over location and speed is to establish targets, throw, measure, adjust, ....

Note how fundamental this feedback training mechanism is. The pitcher visualizes in his mind the pitch he intends to throw. Then he executes his pitch. Immediately he receives information that shows him the difference between his visualized intention and what really happened. His mind can assimilate this feedback and make the fine adjustments necessary to narrow the differences between his intention and actual execution.

Pitching is 80% of the game - this is the one area that really pays off!

If you want to get good you have to practice a lot but practice in a way that allows you to develop razor fine control.

There are many debatable ideas about the best methods to train to pitch. For instance, some instructors promote the use of weighted balls and others are vigorously opposed to such methods. Some instructors believe that throwing from flat ground at reduced distances can be useful while others believe that activity is a waste of time.

Even the best method to move from the back foot to the front foot is not universally agreed on - some believe in a 'tall and fall' approach while others believe that 'drop and drive' is the way to go.

Everybody agrees that throwing with a goal in mind is a positive benefit. Within the PitchCommand Advanced Training System the goal is defined by

	specifying the pitch type. Typically, pitch types are fastball, curveball, changeup, slider, etc.
	specifying the intended velocity. For a specific pitcher, the intended velocities will lie in a range depending on the pitch type. For a major league pitcher, his four-seam fastball might lie in the range of 90 to 94 miles per hour. The target velocity will be a specific number like 92 miles per hour.
	specifying the intended location. The intended location is a specific spot that is measured with respect to the center of the strike zone.

The PitchCommand Advanced Training System defines the actual pitch result by

	returning the actual velocity. The actual velocity value is captured through the use of the Jugs Professional Sports Radar that is attached to a computer.
	returning the actual location of the pitch. The actual location coordinate values are captured through the use of a camera that is attached to the computer.

And as any professional sports coach will tell you: Measurement automatically improves performance - and measurement monitored by someone else improves performance even further.

The screen below shows the goal or mental intention of the pitcher

	The type of pitch to be thrown, here, a 2 seam fastball.
	An intended velocity of 44 mph.
	The intended location is the center of the red circle. The strike zone is defined by bungee cord stretched over a black canvas.

Below the intended and actual location and velocities are shown.

Actual and intended location values are shown using a bulls-eye for emphasis. The red ball is the intended target and the white ball is where the ball struck. The red rectangle is the strike zone.

The graphic below on the right illustrates the strike zone divided into four sections outlined in red. Areas adjoining the strike zone are also presented.

Each section is assigned a success ratio which is an accuracy calculation. In this instance, for a 2 seam fastball.

PitchCommand has a patent pending.

A remote demonstration of PitchCommand is available. Call (425) 481-9345.