First-Pitch Advantage
Practice independent opening pitches with clear fastball and changeup targets, then compare execution by pitch type and delivery.
Foundation
Count Management · Command
Level
L2
Length
24
Pitches
Fastball, Changeup
Goal: Execute 24 independent opening-pitch plans to assigned windows with FB and CH from the windup and stretch.
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
- 3 FB — Glove-Side Window
- 3 CH — Middle-Down
- 3 FB — Arm-Side Window
- 3 CH — Middle-Down
Stretch
- 3 FB — Glove-Side Window
- 3 CH — Middle-Down
- 3 FB — Arm-Side Window
- 3 CH — Middle-Down
Target Definitions and Opening-Pitch Rules
- 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.
- Middle-Down: The broad lower-middle portion of the established strike window.
- Independent Opening Pitch: Every pitch starts a new plan. No result changes the target, pitch type, or count for the next assignment.
- Execution Grade: Grade SPOT or MISS by the assigned window, not by whether the pitch was called a ball or strike.
Record the pitch-specific MISS marker, reset completely, and begin the next planned opening pitch. A miss does not earn a retry or alter the next assignment—even after consecutive misses.
24 independent tracked pitches: 12 FB and 12 CH.
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 First-Pitch Advantage — [Pitcher]. Create 4 markers.
Delivery tracking: Enable Windup and Stretch. Do not use Game Mode or record ball/strike results.
+
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.
Coaching Focus
- Establish pitch type, target, and intent before every throw.
- Treat every pitch as a new opening-pitch plan and reset completely.
- Attack the assigned window without guiding the ball.
- Maintain fastball intent and arm speed on the changeup.
- Record a miss and move to the next original assignment without carryover.
RESULTS
Score the Session
Count pitch-specific SPOT results out of 24. Each pitch succeeds when it receives the appropriate SPOT marker; the score measures assigned-location execution, not balls and strikes.
18–24 SPOT pitches
Great
Opening-pitch plans were repeatable across both pitch types, targets, and deliveries.
14–17 SPOT pitches
Competitive
The pitcher showed a usable opening-pitch plan, with one pitch type, target, or delivery producing more misses.
0–13 SPOT pitches
Keep Working
Opening-pitch execution was not yet repeatable. Simplify the target and rebuild one pitch type at a time.