'The Race to 27': How We Coach Pitching

with Zach Butler,
University of Texas at San Antonio Assistant Coach (Pitching);
former Nicholls State University Assistant Coach (Pitching);
has had five pitchers taken in the MLB Draft in eight years at Nicholls State;
drafted in the 34th round of the 2011 MLB Draft by the Tampa Bay Rays

With advances in technology and training techniques, offenses are more potent than ever; getting hitters out has never been more difficult. In this video, Nicholls State University pitching coach Zach Butler shows how to prepare your pitchers to win the race to 27 outs through drills that connect back to his foundational principles. He also offers ways to grip five different pitches, and closes out with sage advice he's learned over a decorated career on the mound and as a coach.

Drills

Coach Butler offers 10 pitching drills that will help you get your pitchers closer to 27 outs. These drills all incorporate Butler's foundational pitching principles of balance, rhythm and timing, intent, and direction. Improving in these four areas with Coach Butler's pitching drills will give your pitchers a solid mechanical base to build on.

In the Uphill Rocker Drill, Coach Butler has the pitcher stand on the back slope of the mound to complete the drill. The additional resistance from working uphill forces the pitcher to work through their front side.

Grips

One of the fun aspects of pitching is experimenting with new or different grips that will produce entirely new pitches. Adjust the fingers a little one way or another and the baseball will break in a completely different way!

Coach Butler shows you a few grips and variations for five different pitches. You will learn grips and variations for the four-seam and two-seam fastballs, change-up, curve, and slider/cutter.

Coaching Pitchers

Coaching pitching is more than mechanics and drills. Coach Butler tackles several of the nuances of pitching that will help take your coaching skills to the next level, including:

• When to call a mound visit and what to say.
• How the team within the team (the catcher, pitcher, and coach) can work together to beat opposing batters.
• What to think about when considering your in-game philosophy.
• How to develop your pitchers.

In all, Coach Butler explains his foundational pitching principles, offers 10 drills that connect back to those pillars, and offers up valuable advice on coaching pitchers. You'll learn how to help your pitching staff win the race to 27 outs and close out baseball games!

61 minutes. 2021.