Bullpen workoutsWorkout

Make the Next Pitch Better

Train the immediate adjustment by correcting a miss—or repeating a hit—on the next fastball.

Foundation

Adjustment · Command

Level

L1

Length

24

Pitches

Fastball

Goal: Measure how consistently the pitcher improves a miss or repeats a hit on the next fastball across 12 pairs.

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.

THE WORKOUT

Block 1

Middle-Down

Windup — Repeat pair 2x

  • Pitch 1 — FB — Middle-Down
  • Pitch 2 — FB — Middle-Down

Stretch — Repeat pair 2x

  • Pitch 1 — FB — Middle-Down
  • Pitch 2 — FB — Middle-Down

Block 2

Glove-Side Window

Windup — Repeat pair 2x

  • Pitch 1 — FB — Glove-Side Window
  • Pitch 2 — FB — Glove-Side Window

Stretch — Repeat pair 2x

  • Pitch 1 — FB — Glove-Side Window
  • Pitch 2 — FB — Glove-Side Window

Block 3

Arm-Side Window

Windup — Repeat pair 2x

  • Pitch 1 — FB — Arm-Side Window
  • Pitch 2 — FB — Arm-Side Window

Stretch — Repeat pair 2x

  • Pitch 1 — FB — Arm-Side Window
  • Pitch 2 — FB — Arm-Side Window

Pair Rules

  • Same Target: Both pitches in a pair use the same assigned window.
  • Same Delivery: Both pitches in a pair use the assigned Windup or Stretch delivery.
  • Better Second Pitch: If Pitch 1 is a SPOT, Pitch 2 must repeat the SPOT. If Pitch 1 is a MISS, Pitch 2 must finish closer to the center of the assigned window without becoming a more dangerous miss.

Pitch 2 is the scheduled adjustment opportunity. Complete it to the original target, then end the pair. Do not add a third or makeup pitch.

24 tracked pitches: 12 pairs, 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.

SETUP

Track This Session

Choose Bullpen Session. Name it Make the Next Pitch Better — [Pitcher]. Create 2 markers.

Delivery tracking: Enable Windup and Stretch. Keep the same delivery within each pair.

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FIRST REP

Pitch 1 of each pair.

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SECOND REP

Pitch 2 to the same target.

Coaching Focus

  • Call one clear target before each pair.
  • Keep target, delivery, and intent unchanged for both pitches.
  • After Pitch 1, make one simple adjustment—or repeat what worked.
  • Commit to Pitch 2 without steering the fastball.
  • Finish the pair before discussing another adjustment.

RESULTS

Score the Session

Count successful pairs out of 12. A pair succeeds when Pitch 2 repeats a Pitch 1 target hit or improves a Pitch 1 miss under the Better Second Pitch rule; compare marker positions rather than ball/strike results.

9–12 successful pairs

Great

The pitcher consistently corrected misses or repeated successful fastballs on the next pitch.

7–8 successful pairs

Competitive

The immediate response was usable but varied by target or delivery. Identify where Pitch 2 improved most reliably.

0–6 successful pairs

Keep Working

Immediate adjustments and repeated hits were inconsistent. Simplify to one target and one adjustment cue.

Keep exploring

Find the next useful 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.

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.