Tip of the Week: “Working Quickly Works”
January 30, 2010
Every position player's dream pitcher and every hitter's nightmare, Mark Buehrle. by John Zich
Here’s another catching tip….
This is about the third “Tip of the Week” where I harp on catchers to push the pace of the game. Am I crazy? Probably, but that’s beside the point. Here’s a question for you. From 2003 to 2009, can you guess who the five quickest working pitchers were? Just five schleprocks named Greg Maddux, Mark Buehrle, Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt, and Jake Peavy. I’m might be crazy, but I’ll take that starting staff.
Once again, let me reiterate that working quickly works. And I think it’s important to understand and teach that the catcher (as much as anyone) is responsible for this facet of the game. How quickly you catch the pitch, get it back to the pitcher, and put another sign down will dictate how quickly a game moves.
Here are the simple facts: Pitchers who work quickly are more effective. The defensive players behind a fast working pitcher are more consistent. Hitters facing a quick pitcher are less effective. Girlfriends of pitchers who pitch quickly are happier. Short games are a thing of beauty.
“He sets the pace; he’s attacking. He doesn’t give the hitters time to think and regroup. He may get away with not making some pitches because he’s on the attack.” White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper on Mark Buerhle’s pitching style.
Here’s another fascinating thing about Buehrle’s approach…he’ll go games without shaking off his catcher. “Sometimes I don’t pay attention to what hitters’ tendencies are…my catchers see their tendencies, so I just go with what they say.” Mark wisely understands that execution and location are far more important that “the right pitch.”
From a hitter’s perspective, here’s what Darrin Erstad has to say. “You hate it. You’re trying to be slow and calm in the box, and it feels like he’s already let go of the ball.”
I’ll finish with this Greg Maddux quote on why he loved working with catcher Eddie Perez. “Eddie got the ball back to me in exactly two seconds after every pitch. That allowed me to work at whatever pace I wanted.”
Till next week, good luck, have fun, and keep your eye on the ball.
Brent- I don’t really have a comment, I am watching you PITCH right now on Fox Sports Rocky Mountain.. I’m a huge Rockies fan. Well, you just won. How did that feel? Awesome job!!!
A quick pace makes any baseball game enjoyable, but what if it’s not always possible? In my case, the coach (college) induces a snail-like pace to every game because of the pitch-call and relay system. He gets a three digit number from a guy who relays it to him, then he relays it to the catcher, who funnels it into his armband and outcomes a pitch. Then the pitch is relayed to the pitcher and it’s been forever and a day in waiting for all parties (batter, pitcher, fielders, umpire, mom’s, girlfriends, etc.).
Then at the end of the day, Coach blames the catchers for the sleepy pace to the game. I’m sure we could be faster with ball relay back to the pitcher, but if the Coach takes 10-15 seconds to decide on the pitch and relay it, does it all really matter? At the end of the day, we’re all snoozing on the field and I’m apologizing to the ump for his heavy eyelids…
my apologies, i didn’t think the first comment went through because the page crapped out.
Hey Mike, you’ve hit on the BIG problem and my ultimate sore spot….coaches calling games for catchers/pitchers. I’m sorry that you are being denied the chance to learn this very important aspect baseball. Unfortunately, I’ve got no advice for you other than to suck it up and wear it. Everybody suffers when the coach feels the need to control this facet of the game. Bummer.