- Jun 18, 2023
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I think the counter argument is: why not just throw a drop or rise inside, both of which move more, thus minimizing the margin for error? That’s where I think conventional wisdom matches the data. Pros with lots of experience, especially in the men’s game, like Hillhouse, emphasize up, down, change, almost (or entirely) to the exclusion of east-west pitches. So can you throw a pitch that moves two inches to the arm side? Sure, but is it worth the time to learn and practice that pitch at the expense of learning something that may move more?
It's all part of the cat and mouse game right? If the batters you face are NEVER looking for east-west movement, that movement is probably going to be pretty effective.
There are a lot of ways to mix pitches, speeds, locations, etc and be a successful pitcher. As long as you know WHY you're learning a new pitch, HOW you're going to deploy it, etc. Just knowing how to throw it a little bit isn't the same as knowing how to USE it. And if you're getting the results you need without a pitch, or if a pitch isn't getting you the results you want, don't throw it.