Pitchers

Pithers control the game of baseball. It is the only position that can win or lose a game by himself. A team could have the best hitters in the world and a stellar defense. However, it doesn't matter how many runs a team puts up or how good their defense is if a pitcher can't put the ball over the plate. There is an art and science to pitchers that only a few have mastered over the years. It is one of the most competative positions. There are certain requirements that pitchers must have in order to be successful in the MLB. For example, there are very few pitchers in the league tha do not consistently throw 90 m.p.h. Pitchers must be able to throw at least three effective pitches for strikes and have a certain amount of endurance. Pitching is extremely difficult because one must have perfect mechanics that are repetable for every pitch. If a pitcher's timing is off or they make a slight difference in their delivery such as arm slot or where they land, then the pitch will not be as effective.

Pitching is also often very taxing on the body, particularly the throwing arm. Starting pitchers need to have endurance to pitch 7-9 innings in a game which is usually around 100 pitches and then be able to fully recover in 5-6 days. This process can be very difficult for some. Usually, people think that pitchers do nothing but rest in between starts but this is far from the truth. Pitching coaches in the MLB set up a throwing schedule that gives pitchers enough rest to recover and be prepared for the next game. During the week, a throwing routine usually consists of long toss, short toss, and a bullpen. Pitchers also run and lift weights 2-3 days a week to stay fit. Runnig also helps get rid of lactic acid that builds up in the arm after a long start. In addition to these workouts, pitchers must ice for at least two days after they start to slow down the swelling of the arm and the pain.