Why is this happening to me?

Question

I am a pretty crappy pitcher when I start; last time I started, I gave up 4 ER in 2 innings. another time, i gave up 5 in the first inning. However, in relief, i dominate; this season, as a closer for my hs team, I have a 0.00 era with 15 SO in 14 IP. Why is this? I don't have a closer's fastball (max out at 76), my curve is decent, and my change is terrible...

Also, I have excellent arm stamina; they usually jump on me quick when I start...

Answer 1

It sounds to me like your success as a closer is coming from the starting pitchers. I've seen it before. If the starters on your team have good velocity the hitters spend all game trying to catch up to them and get their timing, then you come at the end throwing 76 and the hitters timing goes out the window. If your team's starters are throwing mid 80's or better, you coming in is like seeing nothing but change ups. That may be why the hitters can't touch you at end of games. It would also explain why your stuggling as a starter, your low velocity is not hard for hitters to adapt to if they haven't already been trying to hit much faster pitching.

As long as you keep pitching behind good starters you will probably continue to have success. But if you want to become a good starter you're going to have to put in some work.

First you need to improve your velocity, I'm not saying you need to throw 90, but it's gonna be hard to be a successful starter only throwing 76. The easiest way to do this is through Theraband exercises. They're quick, easy, cheap, and effective. And there is little risk of injury. They're not going to dramaticly improve it like weight training and pitching lessons would, but like I said they're cheap and easy.

http://www.thecompletepitcher.com/pitching_workouts/tubing_program.swf

The next thing you need to do is develop better off speed pitches. The lower your velocity the more important these pitches become. A pitiching coach can help you with this, but alot of people can't afford coaches, I never could. Another way is to do some research into how pitches are thrown, and then just practice....alot. Especially on your change-up. If you can throw an effective change-up whenever and wherever you want it will make your fastball that much better. You'll start seeing alot more pop-ups and ground balls.

http://www.thecompletepitcher.com/pitching_grips.htm

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

It could be possible that you can only last a couple innings as a relief pitcher. When you start, does your arm tired after the first few innings and/or does your elbow/should get sore?
I used ot be a starter but quickly went to relief before changing positions altogether and settled as a catcher. I was like you, bad starter, great reliever.

Answer 3

I would say this happens maybe because you are not warmed up enough before a game. so get to games early and just play catch with your catcher and then when your susposed to warm up in the bullpen you could throw harder and game like speed. then id say to work on your curveball and especially on your changeup..talk to your coach and tell him you want to work on these pitches and you want to build up your velocity on your pitches so you can be a starter(unless you want to be a relief pitcher) and see what he tells you.

Answer 4

Maybe you can only throw one inning, your arm get's tired after an inning or more?

Answer 5

Confidence. When you close games you probably expect to succeed and when you start you are unsure of yourself. Also maybe you are one of those people who feed off the pressure of a tight game.

Answer 6

You could be putting to much pressure on yourself or it could be at the end of a game everyone is worn down alittle bit.

Answer 7

will maybe ur arm was tried or u need to practice a lot and if u need to practice with ur team mates or with ur family that plays baseball will hope u do good

Answer 8

Don't know what to tell ya about your thowing... but your coach is a genius.

Answer 9

Maybe you stink and you get lucky every one in a while.