January 8, 2025 • 8 mins
In this episode, we explore the revolutionary potential of sidearm pitching as a game-changing strategy for baseball coaches. By unleashing the untapped talent of underutilized players through unconventional techniques, we discuss how to enhance team performance and create a unique pitching arsenal.
• The critical role of pitching in winning games
• Challenges faced by underutilized pitchers
• Benefits of adopting sidearm pitching techniques
• Strategic advantages when using sidearm pitchers
• Real-life success stories of transformed players
• Embracing unconventional methods for coaching success
Join the Baseball Coaches Unplugged podcast where an experienced baseball coach delves into the world of high school and travel baseball, offering insights on high school baseball coaching, leadership skills, hitting skills, pitching strategy, defensive skills, and overall baseball strategy, while also covering high school and college baseball, recruiting tips, youth and travel baseball, and fostering a winning mentality and attitude in baseball players through strong baseball leadership and mentality.
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- https://www.nettingpros.com
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
Welcome to Baseball Coaches Unplugged with Coach Ken
Carpenter, presented by AthleteOne.
Baseball Coaches Unplugged is apodcast for baseball coaches,
with 27 years of high schoolbaseball coaching under his belt
, here to bring you the insidescoop on all things baseball,
from game-winning strategies andpitching secrets to hitting
drills and defensive drills.
We're covering it all.
(00:22):
Whether you're a high schoolcoach, college coach or just a
baseball enthusiast, we'll diveinto the tactics and techniques
that make the difference on andoff the field.
Discover how to build a winningmentality.
Inspire your players and getthem truly bought into your game
philosophy Plus, get the latestinsights on recruiting,
coaching, leadership andcrafting a team culture that
(00:42):
champions productivity andsuccess.
Join Coach every week as hebreaks down the game and shares
incredible behind-the-scenesstories.
Your competitive edge startshere, so check out the show
weekly and hear from the bestcoaches in the game.
On Baseball Coaches Unplugged.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
Today's episode of Baseball Coaches Unplugged is
powered by the nettingprofessionals, improving
programs one facility at a time.
The netting pros specialize inthe design, fabrication and
installation of custom nettingfor baseball and softball.
This includes backstops,batting cages, bp turtles,
screens, ball carts and more.
They also design and installdigital graphic wall padding,
(01:23):
windscreen, turf, ball carts andmore.
They also design and installdigital graphic wall padding,
windscreen, turf, turf protector, dugout benches and cubbies.
The Netting Pros aren't limitedto just baseball and softball.
They also work with football,soccer, lacrosse and golf
courses.
Contact them today at844-620-2707.
That's 844-620-2707.
(01:46):
Or you visit them online atwwwnettingproscom.
Check out Netting Pros on X,instagram, facebook and LinkedIn
for all their latest productsand projects and tell them
Baseball Coaches Unplugged sentyou.
Tell them Baseball CoachesUnplugged sent you.
(02:07):
Hello and welcome back toanother episode of Baseball
Coaches Unplugged.
I'm your host, coach KenCarpenter.
Pitching is the key to winningbaseball games.
Ask any coach and they'll tellyou.
You can never have enoughpitching.
Success in pitching meansgetting batters out.
Now we've all seen pitchers who, despite having great potential
(02:30):
, just don't get enough time onthe mound.
Maybe they're a little bitlower in the pecking order,
overshadowed by hard-throwingaces.
But here's the thing.
Every single player on yourteam has untapped potential, and
it's our job as coaches tobring it out.
So what if I told you there wasa way to turn these
(02:52):
underutilized pitchers intoserious contributors, coming out
of the bullpen Intrigued?
Let's talk about the magic ofsidearm pitching.
This is a game-changingtechnique that can transform
your pitchers and give your teama unique edge.
Why?
(03:13):
Because this is a style thatmost batters simply aren't used
to facing.
Now I can hear some coaches.
Now I'm not sure about that.
I don't know enough about it toteach it.
Think about it.
Most hitters are trained tohandle over-the-top or
three-quarter deliveries, eventhe pitching machines they don't
(03:36):
have machines that throwsidearm.
Enter the sidearm pitcher andsuddenly they're facing a
completely different trajectory.
The ball comes across the platefrom a lower, more lateral
angle, creating natural movementthat can baffle hitters.
(03:56):
Sidearm pitchers also excel inproducing ground balls, making
them excellent infield defenseallies.
Plus, it's often less strain onhis shoulder, which is a win
for player longevity.
It's not just about pitch speed, it's the unique delivery that
(04:21):
throws them off balance.
The unconventional motion canmess with the batter's timing
and perception, giving your teamthe upper hand.
Sidearm pitchers can beespecially effective and they
don't even have to throw hard.
They can be starters or comeout of the bullpen to relieve a
(04:42):
pitcher that throws hard and hasvelocity.
By developing the sidearmtechnique in your players who
are seeing limited mound time,not only increase their value,
but also diversify your pitchingarsenal.
It's like having a Swiss Armyknife in your bullpen Versatile,
(05:03):
surprising and incrediblyeffective.
Think about it.
How often do your batters getto practice against sidearm
pitchers?
Maybe it's the coach that'sthrown behind the L screen, that
doesn't have a whole lot oflife left in his arm, but it's
hardly ever right.
Now flip the scenario.
(05:23):
Imagine the edge your team willhave when your opponents face
something they rarely encounter.
They'll be caught off guard,make mistakes, and this will
give your team the advantage.
Incorporating sidearm pitchersinto your rotation also allows
you to be more strategic withyour matchups.
(05:44):
Facing a lineup with heavy,with right-handed batters, bring
in your sidearm righty toexploit the inside pitches.
Got a lefty heavy lineupagainst you.
A sidearm lefty can workwonders with those sweeping
outside sliders.
It's all about creating thoseuncomfortable at-bats for your
(06:04):
opponents.
The key to this is to have anopen mind as a coach and to find
a player who is open to theidea.
If you're going to do it, youhave to commit to it.
The pitcher will most likelystruggle at first, but they have
to stick with it.
I've seen it work.
I sat my son down when he wasgoing into his sophomore year of
(06:27):
high school and told him he was5'7 and 150 pounds and was
going to be an average pitcherat the high school level.
I decided to team up with agood friend and fellow coach,
mike Yinger, and asked him toshare his experience with his
sidearm pitcher of his, whoeventually signed with Marshall
(06:48):
University.
I sat him down with my son,jake, and, and we started
throwing and he bought in.
When he wasn't playing secondbase, he was brought in to
relieve for a hard-throwinglefty who signed at Ohio State
and is currently in triple-Awith the Detroit Tigers system,
and a righty who pitched fouryears at Mount Vernon University
(07:10):
.
As for my son, he spent fouryears coming out of the bullpen
for Division II, ohio DominicanUniversity.
So, coaches, next time you lookat your rotation and see those
players who aren't getting theinnings that you would like to
see them get, consider this.
Give them the tools and thetraining to develop into sidearm
(07:33):
pitchers.
It's a strategic move that canturn your underutilized players
into game changers.
The benefits are immense, notjust for the team but for the
players themselves.
They'll gain confidence,increase some playing time and,
who knows, you might benurturing the next iconic
(07:57):
sidearm pitcher.
Let's embrace theunconventional, shake things up.
Keep pushing the boundaries ofour great sport.
As always, I'm your host, coachKen Carpenter, and thanks for
listening to Baseball CoachesUnplugged.
To Baseball Coaches Unplugged.
Baseball Coaches Unplugged isproud to be partnered with the
netting professionals, improvingprograms one facility at a time
(08:20):
.
Contact them today at844-620-2707 or visit them
online at wwwnettingproscom.
Welcome to Baseball Coaches Unplugged with Coach Ken
Carpenter, presented by AthleteOne.
Baseball Coaches Unplugged is apodcast for baseball coaches,
with 27 years of high schoolbaseball coaching under his belt
, here to bring you the insidescoop on all things baseball,
from game-winning strategies andpitching secrets to hitting
drills and defensive drills.
We're covering it all.
(00:22):
Whether you're a high schoolcoach, college coach or just a
baseball enthusiast, we'll diveinto the tactics and techniques
that make the difference on andoff the field.
Discover how to build a winningmentality.
Inspire your players and getthem truly bought into your game
philosophy Plus, get the latestinsights on recruiting,
coaching, leadership andcrafting a team culture that
(00:42):
champions productivity andsuccess.
Join Coach every week as hebreaks down the game and shares
incredible behind-the-scenesstories.
Your competitive edge startshere, so check out the show
weekly and hear from the bestcoaches in the game.
On Baseball Coaches Unplugged.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
Today's episode of Baseball Coaches Unplugged is
powered by the nettingprofessionals, improving
programs one facility at a time.
The netting pros specialize inthe design, fabrication and
installation of custom nettingfor baseball and softball.
This includes backstops,batting cages, bp turtles,
screens, ball carts and more.
They also design and installdigital graphic wall padding,
(01:23):
windscreen, turf, ball carts andmore.
They also design and installdigital graphic wall padding,
windscreen, turf, turf protector, dugout benches and cubbies.
The Netting Pros aren't limitedto just baseball and softball.
They also work with football,soccer, lacrosse and golf
courses.
Contact them today at844-620-2707.
That's 844-620-2707.
(01:46):
Or you visit them online atwwwnettingproscom.
Check out Netting Pros on X,instagram, facebook and LinkedIn
for all their latest productsand projects and tell them
Baseball Coaches Unplugged sentyou.
Tell them Baseball CoachesUnplugged sent you.
(02:07):
Hello and welcome back toanother episode of Baseball
Coaches Unplugged.
I'm your host, coach KenCarpenter.
Pitching is the key to winningbaseball games.
Ask any coach and they'll tellyou.
You can never have enoughpitching.
Success in pitching meansgetting batters out.
Now we've all seen pitchers who, despite having great potential
(02:30):
, just don't get enough time onthe mound.
Maybe they're a little bitlower in the pecking order,
overshadowed by hard-throwingaces.
But here's the thing.
Every single player on yourteam has untapped potential, and
it's our job as coaches tobring it out.
So what if I told you there wasa way to turn these
(02:52):
underutilized pitchers intoserious contributors, coming out
of the bullpen Intrigued?
Let's talk about the magic ofsidearm pitching.
This is a game-changingtechnique that can transform
your pitchers and give your teama unique edge.
Why?
(03:13):
Because this is a style thatmost batters simply aren't used
to facing.
Now I can hear some coaches.
Now I'm not sure about that.
I don't know enough about it toteach it.
Think about it.
Most hitters are trained tohandle over-the-top or
three-quarter deliveries, eventhe pitching machines they don't
(03:36):
have machines that throwsidearm.
Enter the sidearm pitcher andsuddenly they're facing a
completely different trajectory.
The ball comes across the platefrom a lower, more lateral
angle, creating natural movementthat can baffle hitters.
(03:56):
Sidearm pitchers also excel inproducing ground balls, making
them excellent infield defenseallies.
Plus, it's often less strain onhis shoulder, which is a win
for player longevity.
It's not just about pitch speed, it's the unique delivery that
(04:21):
throws them off balance.
The unconventional motion canmess with the batter's timing
and perception, giving your teamthe upper hand.
Sidearm pitchers can beespecially effective and they
don't even have to throw hard.
They can be starters or comeout of the bullpen to relieve a
(04:42):
pitcher that throws hard and hasvelocity.
By developing the sidearmtechnique in your players who
are seeing limited mound time,not only increase their value,
but also diversify your pitchingarsenal.
It's like having a Swiss Armyknife in your bullpen Versatile,
(05:03):
surprising and incrediblyeffective.
Think about it.
How often do your batters getto practice against sidearm
pitchers?
Maybe it's the coach that'sthrown behind the L screen, that
doesn't have a whole lot oflife left in his arm, but it's
hardly ever right.
Now flip the scenario.
(05:23):
Imagine the edge your team willhave when your opponents face
something they rarely encounter.
They'll be caught off guard,make mistakes, and this will
give your team the advantage.
Incorporating sidearm pitchersinto your rotation also allows
you to be more strategic withyour matchups.
(05:44):
Facing a lineup with heavy,with right-handed batters, bring
in your sidearm righty toexploit the inside pitches.
Got a lefty heavy lineupagainst you.
A sidearm lefty can workwonders with those sweeping
outside sliders.
It's all about creating thoseuncomfortable at-bats for your
(06:04):
opponents.
The key to this is to have anopen mind as a coach and to find
a player who is open to theidea.
If you're going to do it, youhave to commit to it.
The pitcher will most likelystruggle at first, but they have
to stick with it.
I've seen it work.
I sat my son down when he wasgoing into his sophomore year of
(06:27):
high school and told him he was5'7 and 150 pounds and was
going to be an average pitcherat the high school level.
I decided to team up with agood friend and fellow coach,
mike Yinger, and asked him toshare his experience with his
sidearm pitcher of his, whoeventually signed with Marshall
(06:48):
University.
I sat him down with my son,jake, and, and we started
throwing and he bought in.
When he wasn't playing secondbase, he was brought in to
relieve for a hard-throwinglefty who signed at Ohio State
and is currently in triple-Awith the Detroit Tigers system,
and a righty who pitched fouryears at Mount Vernon University
(07:10):
.
As for my son, he spent fouryears coming out of the bullpen
for Division II, ohio DominicanUniversity.
So, coaches, next time you lookat your rotation and see those
players who aren't getting theinnings that you would like to
see them get, consider this.
Give them the tools and thetraining to develop into sidearm
(07:33):
pitchers.
It's a strategic move that canturn your underutilized players
into game changers.
The benefits are immense, notjust for the team but for the
players themselves.
They'll gain confidence,increase some playing time and,
who knows, you might benurturing the next iconic
(07:57):
sidearm pitcher.
Let's embrace theunconventional, shake things up.
Keep pushing the boundaries ofour great sport.
As always, I'm your host, coachKen Carpenter, and thanks for
listening to Baseball CoachesUnplugged.
To Baseball Coaches Unplugged.
Baseball Coaches Unplugged isproud to be partnered with the
netting professionals, improvingprograms one facility at a time
(08:20):
.
Contact them today at844-620-2707 or visit them
online at wwwnettingproscom.
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