4 Valuable Tips for Pitchers to Improve Team Defense

Being a pitcher, you should be in love with defense. Breath it, live it, and do whatever you have to do to be the best at it.  You are the only player that has her own record separate from the rest of the team. Take pride in you record and take a loss personally. Wins will always be a whole team effort. Outside of catching and throwing, here are 4 tips for pitchers to improve whole team defense.

Pick Up Your Team
Your teammates are going to make errors. It's just apart of the game. You are also going to walk someone or hit a batter. Treat your team the way you want to be treated. Put the error behind you as fast as possible and get everyone ready for the next pitch. The trick I used was looked my teammate in they eye after an error and simply say "Get the next one." I want to let them know that it is OK, it is done and over with, and now let's focus on the next one.

Expect the Ball Every Time
Pitchers have to put in the most work in off season. If you have a chance at fielding the ball, DO IT! Expect the ball to be hit to you. Want the ball to be hit to you. If someone is going to make the game changing play, why not it be you?

Communicate
You are the leader of the defense. You are in charge. You need to let you team know that you got it under control. Let them know that they play a huge role and you need them. Tell them the outs, where runners are, and the plan for the next hit ball. Let them know what the batter did on her last at bat. Point to the ball and let the catcher know about passed balls or pop ups. There are a million things you can say and they are all right. Only thing that is wrong is not talking.

Keep an Eye on Base Runners
Know where base runners are and keep eye contact with them until they return to the base. Keep calm and walk back to the circle. Once you are in the circle, they have to decide to go or stay. It's never a good idea to throw behind the runners.

Got more defensive tips? Comment below! 

​()@) Courtney

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