Fastball Bookends
Place a developing pitch between two fastballs and measure whether fastball command returns immediately.
Foundation
Adjustment · Pitch Development
Level
L3
Length
24
Pitches
Fastball, Changeup, One Developing Pitch
Goal: Measure how often the return fastball reaches the same assigned window after one developing pitch.
WARMUP
Before the first pitch.
Complete a proper throwing warm-up before scoring pitches. Use full-body movement, progressive catch play, and enough mound-ramp-up pitches for the listed pitch types and delivery modes to feel ready.
Warm-up throws are not included in the workout score, but they still count toward the pitcher’s total throwing workload for the day.
Use the pitcher’s established primary delivery—Windup or Stretch—for all 24 pitches. Record the delivery used and use the same delivery whenever this workout is repeated.
Block 1
Glove-Side Bookends
Repeat sequence 3x
- Pitch 1 — FB — Glove-Side Window
- Pitch 2 — DEV — Assigned Paired Target
- Pitch 3 — FB — Glove-Side Window
Block 2
Arm-Side Bookends
Repeat sequence 3x
- Pitch 1 — FB — Arm-Side Window
- Pitch 2 — DEV — Assigned Paired Target
- Pitch 3 — FB — Arm-Side Window
Block 3
Changeup Roles
- 3 CH — Broad Strike Window
- 3 CH — Middle-Down, Below Zone
Target Definitions and Bookend Rules
- Glove-Side Window / Arm-Side Window: The broad portion of the established strike window on the called side.
- Assigned Paired Target: One clearly defined target appropriate to the developing pitch and the called fastball window.
- Broad Strike Window: A comfortably sized area inside the established strike window.
- Bookend Rule: Pitch 1 and Pitch 3 use the same fastball target. Pitch 2 does not change the return target.
Record the pitch-specific MISS marker and finish all three pitches with the original targets. Do not add a fourth or makeup pitch.
24 tracked pitches: 12 FB, 6 CH, and 6 DEV; 6 three-pitch bookend sequences and 6 changeups.
Development or preseason: 1–2 times per week with about 48 hours between structured throwing sessions.
In season: 0–1 development bullpen per week. A game appearance or other meaningful mound session replaces it.
Track This Session
Choose Bullpen Session. Name it Fastball Bookends — [Pitcher]. Create 6 markers.
+
FB SPOT
Fastball finishes within its assigned target.
+
FB MISS
Fastball finishes outside its assigned target.
+
CH SPOT
Changeup finishes within its assigned target.
+
CH MISS
Changeup finishes outside its assigned target.
+
DEV SPOT
Developing pitch finishes within its assigned target.
+
DEV MISS
Developing pitch finishes outside its assigned target.
Coaching Focus
- Establish the fastball window and developing-pitch target before each sequence.
- Keep the return fastball’s target unchanged after the developing pitch.
- Reset completely before Pitch 3 without adding a mechanical checklist.
- Record all three results and continue without a makeup pitch.
- Stop when fatigue changes fastball intent, command, or delivery quality.
RESULTS
Score the Session
Count successful bookend sequences out of 6. A sequence succeeds when both fastballs receive FB SPOT; track the developing pitch separately so its result does not replace the fastball-reset measure.
5–6 successful sequences
Great
Fastball command returned immediately after the developing pitch in nearly every sequence.
4 successful sequences
Competitive
The fastball reset was usable but varied by target side or developing-pitch result.
0–3 successful sequences
Keep Working
Fastball command did not return consistently after the developing pitch. Simplify to one target side and one reset cue.