Little things that win big ball games: part 1

Coach and Athletic Director, Jan, 2004 by Jim Mason

When I see a hitter pulling an outside pitch foul, it tells me something about his approach to that pitch--how anxious he may be and his vulnerabilities. If he's diving across the plate, he may be vulnerable inside, especially to a breaking pitch.

Anytime the offense gives you information and you don't learn from it, you are not maximizing your chances of winning the game.

14. Know your best pitch and use it when in trouble.

This could be called the Mark Wohlers story. In the 1996 World Series, the Braves were leading the Yankees, 5-4, late in Game 5. Wohlers, the Braves' closer, was pitching to Jim Leyritz with two runners on base.

Wohlers had a tremendous fastball (clocked in the high 90's), but at this crucial moment he decided to throw a slider. He hung the pitch and it was promptly bashed into the left-field seats to tie the game.

The Braves ended up losing the game and the series, and Wohlers never seemed to recover from the episode. Which is what happens in critical situations when you fail to go to your best (and most unhittable) pitch.

Pitching Coach/Recruiting Coordinator

University of Rhode Island