Fastball Strike Window

Build a repeatable fastball-control baseline and compare location patterns from the windup and stretch.

Foundation

Fastball Control · Assessment

Level

Length

Pitches

Fastball

Goal: Measure fastball execution across three broad windows from the windup and stretch over 24 pitches.

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.

Sequence

Windup

4 FB — Middle-Down
4 FB — Glove-Side Window
4 FB — Arm-Side Window

Stretch

4 FB — Middle-Down
4 FB — Glove-Side Window
4 FB — Arm-Side Window

Target Definitions

Middle-Down: The broad lower-middle portion of the established strike window.
Glove-Side Window: The broad portion of the established strike window on the pitcher’s glove side.
Arm-Side Window: The broad portion of the established strike window on the pitcher’s arm side.

Record the correct MISS marker at the pitch’s finish location and continue the workout as written. Do not repeat the pitch or add a makeup pitch.

24 tracked pitches: 24 FB.

Development or preseason: 1–2 times per week with about 48 hours between structured mound 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 Strike Window — [Pitcher]. Create 2 markers.

Delivery tracking: Enable Windup and Stretch and record the assigned delivery for every pitch.

SPOT

Fastball finishes within its assigned target.

MISS

Fastball finishes outside its assigned target.

Coaching Focus

Establish the assigned window before every pitch.
Repeat the delivery without adding extra mechanical thoughts.
Work down in the window; avoid misses that leak up and over the middle.
From the stretch, stay quick but controlled.
After a miss, make one simple adjustment and commit to the next assignment.

RESULTS

Score the Session

Count SPOT pitches out of 24. A strike can still be a MISS when it does not reach the assigned window.

Compare SPOT rate and miss direction by target and delivery. Look for misses that cluster up, arm side, or glove side.

18–24 SPOT pitches

Great

The pitcher controlled all three broad windows from both deliveries. Review any location or delivery with clustered misses.

14–17 SPOT pitches

Competitive

A usable fastball-control baseline is present, with one target or delivery showing a clear drop-off.

0–13 SPOT pitches

Keep Working

Execution is not yet repeatable across the broad windows. Reestablish the target boundaries and simplify the next session.

Arm Care

Quality ends the session before the count does.

Pitch counts are ceilings, not quotas. Adjust the session for age, recent workload, current season, recovery, mechanics, and the pitcher in front of you.

This workout is an educational pitching-development resource, not medical advice or a rehabilitation program. Adjust it for the pitcher’s age, experience, recent workload, recovery, and established throwing plan.

Stop immediately for shoulder or elbow pain, sharp discomfort, or altered mechanics.

Reduce the workload when command, effort, or movement quality deteriorates.

Count the full throwing day—warm-ups, drill throws, long toss, bullpen pitches, and game pitches all matter.

Review MLB Pitch Smart guidance

Record the bullpen

See the work. Coach what’s next.

Use Play Catch to record pitch locations, spot patterns, and carry the result into the next purposeful session.

Simple pitch-location tracking.
No special hardware. No complicated setup.

Try Play Catch Free

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