Good pitching beats good hitting

Why does good pitching beat good hitting? Because the concept of hitting a round ball with a round bat is the toughest thing to do in sports. Think of other sports…basketball, soccer, tennis, football…none of these match what baseball involves. Baseball is the only sport that forces its players to try and hit a round object with an equally round object. Pitching is an art. It is mastered by few. There is a reason that future Hall of Famers such as Greg Maddux, Trevor Hoffman, and Tom Glavine and many others currently in the bigs have remained consistently great even after losing the majority of their velocity. Without the help from FOX and TNT who consistently “juice” their radar guns, these guys would barely be hitting 85mph. But somehow they are still three of the best pitchers in baseball. Their success can be attributed to many factors but one in particular has prolonged their careers. Location. Location is the most important factor in throwing a quality baseball game. Hitters are afraid of pitchers. Not the other way around. No one wants to get hit with a baseball at any speed. It is in the back of every hitter’s mind. If you can consistently spot your pitches and keep the hitter off balance, you will have success, no matter how hard you throw. Velocity is one of the most overrated aspects of pitching. Look at guys such as Daniel Cabrera, LaTroy Hawkins, and Kyle Farnsworth. They routinely hit 95 to 98 on the guns but can’t seem to pitch themselves above mediocrity. Maddux, Hoffman, and Glavine can’t compete with them when it comes to velocity but all three are without a doubt better pitchers. I still marvel at the TV when I see Maddux regularly freeze a hitter after starting a fastball at his chest and dropping it over the inside part of the plate; or when Hoffman throws his trademark 70mph changeup and forces a hitter to swing directly over top of it. Pitching is a something that requires superb concentration and an awareness of your body. It requires preparation. It is more of a mental game then physical. Maddux, Hoffman and Glavine exemplify this idea.