Thank You Letter to Matt Garza

Dear Matt Garza,

Thank you for throwing the fifth no hitter in the 2010 Major League Baseball Season. Thank you also for making it the first no-hitter thrown in Tampa Bay history. Thank you thirdly for demonstrating one of the finest displays of dominance with a fastball in recent memory.

Your feat further solidifies my 2010 thesis that the balance of power has now begun to swing back in the hitters favor. You have proven yet again this really is the "year of the no-hitter." While the record is eight no-nos in season (1984), that was in the dead ball era. No, in the live, post-steroid era, you have achieved near perfection for the first time in your career.

There will no doubt be more no-hitters thrown by Tampa Bay pitchers. My bet is that David Price will have atleast one in a Rays uniform before its all said and done. However, someone needed to step up to the challenge for the Rays and you have done this. Your dominance had been brought into question after a few of your previous starts didn't go as well. Your own father acknowledge how you've been off your game, but you answered in the best fashion possible.

Most importantly, you utilized your fastball in 80% of your pitches to no-hit the Tigers. Literally, in 120 pitches, you threw 100 fastballs. I know you throw 95 mphs, and I am sure that helps some. But pitchers everywhere can learn from how you established your fastball in every count to every hitter. It requires a lot of confidence to throw that many fastballs, but it is necessary to make your other pitches more effective. In addition, there is no reason to veer away from the fastball if the hitters never prove they can hit it. Too often, I see pitchers switch up pitches just for the sake of it. If the hitters can't put a good swing on the fastball, you proved that you can keep throwing it. Thank you for proving once again that the philosophies of Less is More are sound and based in Big League success stories like your self.

May your efforts land you in the hall of fame some day.

Thanks again,


Forrest Cory
Founder, Less Is More Pitching

If You're Gonna Give 'Em Up, Make Sure They're Solo Jobs.

The enigmatic title "If You're Gonnna Give 'Em Up, Make Sure They're Solo Jobs" is a piece of advice that every pitcher should subscribe to. It refers to a pitching philosophy that revolves around keeping runners off base. In practice, it means that every pitcher is going to give up home runs, but the best ones can minimize damage and not give up as many long balls with runners on base.

I am reminded of this adage as I am watching the Orioles vs. Rays tonight on MASN. Matt Garza is on the mound for the Rays and has given up 4 home runs through 5 innings. He is also only losing 4-2. The Orioles pitcher has given up 2 home runs as well. It is not hard to imagine that this score could be much worse for both teams had those home runs not been solo shots. So, in practice, a pitcher must learn when to attack hitters and when to be careful. Of course, a pitcher must always "attack." However, early in the game and early an inning, the worst thing a pitcher can do is walk a batter. Walks and poorly placed pitches that lead to base hits are obvious things to avoid. However, this is never more true than early in those situations. With less than two outs, walking batters create more problems for the pitcher; especially if the next batter hits one out of the park.

With that in mind, if there are runners on and the game is getting into the last three or four innings, a pitcher must be careful to execute every pitch as perfectly as possible to prevent a late inning scoring onslaught. In fact, when facing a tough hitter with runners on, a good pitcher will "not give in" to a hitter by giving him a good pitch to hit. He will non-intentionally intentionally walk the batter to get a weaker hitter. He will make perfect pitches down and or just below the knees on the edges of the plate. These pitches will be so tough to hit that there is very little chance for a hitter to do damage with them. Keep in mind that this is an advanced technique that requires a very high command of ones pitches and of the strike zone. However, if executed correctly, a good pitcher can avoid giving up a mult-run hit or home run to a good hitter by making the hitter either swing at the pitcher's best pitches or be patient enough to take the walk.

The score of the game will dictate whether this strategy is a viable option. Obviously, if the score is within one run, a solo bomb is as devastating as any other home run. You would want at least a 2 run lead to begin considering putting more runners on base to get to weaker hitters.

Regardless of the situation and score however, if you are going to give up homeruns, it will always be better that they are solo shots. The less runs that score the better your ERA and your teams chance to win will be.

Until Next Time!

Rest In Peace George Steinbrenner

A legend of the professional baseball world passed away on Tuesday. George Steinbrenner, aka "The Boss" bought the Yankees in 1973 and ruled with an iron fist for three decades. In the time since he acquired the Bronx Bommers, he returned a struggling franchise to its former greatness. The Yankees generated more revenue, won more World Series', and produced more All-Stars than any other franchise during his tenure.

George suffered a massive heart attack before passing at the age of 80. Less is More Pitching would like to extend its sincere condolences to the entire Steinbrenner family and Yankee nation. This truly isn't just a loss for his family and team. The game of baseball will not be the same without Steinbrenner. He will certainly never be replaced.

Until Next Time.

Pitching in the Heat of Summer

I've noticed recently that many of the Less More pitching clients have been struggling mightly through our hour long pitching lessons.   After only 20 minutes of warm up and long toss, they are panting, sweating, and even dizzy.  The weather is brutal, no doubt.  In Virginia in July, the temp routinely tops 100 degrees with even more oppressive humidity.  The kind of weather that has you sweating the second you step out doors.  What's worse; there's been no rain in almost 2 weeks and the ground is dry and scorched.  As tough as the weather is, I always tell my clients that baseball is played in this weather every single day.  Heck, when I played in Mobile in 2008, the rain would come around 5pm, raining out batting practice, only to have the field turned into a sauna for game time after the sun came back out.  Try gripping a baseball when your arm and the air itself is sweating!

So I am here to shed some light on a few secrets I've picked over the course of my career to help you battle the heat on the mound...

1. Hydrate!  Too many times I see my pitchers dying of thirst even though they've brought a bottle of Gatorade with them for the lesson.  The problem is, by the time you are thirsty, it is too late to get fluids.  A pitcher must drink water 30 minutes and an hour before hand to make sure the body is properly hydrated before the physical activity begins.  That way, when you start to sweat, drinking will help maintain your hydration.  

2. Work Out in the Heat.  Most people agree that pitchers should run both long distance and sprints in between their pitching outings.  Those workouts should be done at least some of the time in the same conditions of a mid-day game.  Sure it makes the work outs harder, but that is basically the idea we are shooting.  A pitcher must acclimate his body to breathing oxygen in humid air and exerting himself physically when the sun is at its hottest. 

3.  Get Proper Rest.  The advantages of sleep are compounded when a pitcher is working out and pitching in the heat. Sleep allows the body to recover from all of the physical work of the previous day.  If the body doesn't get a MINIMUM of 6 hours, it will be unable to function at its highest potential the next day. 

4. Use Antiperspirant.  No, I am not suggesting that you stink when you sweat.  (Although that may be true).  When your arm begins to sweat in the middle of a game, it can make gripping the baseball difficult.  To combat this, spray deodorant/antiperspirant on your entire throwing arm.  This will not completely eliminate the sweat, but it will minimize the liquid during your outing.  

5. Use Pin Tar. Under the hat, on the laces of the glove, on your belt hook - if you ain't cheatin' you ain't tryin.  Learn what the sticky stuff feels like and get used to how much you need to create some tackiness on those finger tips.  This age old secret is only a problem if you get caught. (I do not normally condone this line of thinking - pine tar is the ONLY exception).  You can rest assured that almost every big league pitcher utilizes pine tar in one form or another.  

6. Feel the Spirits of Ammonia.  This ancient Indian remedy has been used to help invigorate and revitalize.  There may be more myth to it than actual medical value, but all I can tell you is that rubbing your neck with an icy towel dipped in this stuff (mixed with a lot of water) does wonders for keeping you sharp in the summer heat.  Keep in mind that Spirits of Ammonia is not the same as actual Ammonia.  Make sure you know the difference before attempting to use this remedy.  One of my former coaches used to keep a cooler full of water, ice and spirits of ammonia in the dugout for many of our summer tournaments.  

7. Keep a change of shirt and socks.  For particularly sweaty days, its a good idea to have a second dri-fit under shirt and dri-fit game socks to change into if you happen to sweat through your first pair.  Sometimes a fresh shirt is all it takes to get you back in the zone.  

So be sure to get comfortable with all of these changes before you implement them in the championship game of your tournament this summer.  However, once you get used to using them, you'll never play a game without them. 

Post some comments with other ideas!

Until Next Time!

Is Strasburg an All-Star?

So as we near closer to the July 13th mid-summer classic, the ballots have been cast for the American and National League All-Stars. Many names called are the ones that everyone expects. Jeter, Pujols, Ramierez, Sabathia and others. Other names may be confusing such as Omar Infante or perhaps Chris Young. However, the biggest question may well be whether or not Stephen Strasburg should be an All-Star. His numbers would suggest the easy answer is yes. To date, he is 2-2 with a 2.45. Even more impressive, he has recorded 53 punch outs in just over 36 innings and only walked 10. His star appeal and fan following would also indicate that he would be an easy choice. Strasburg is one of the most googled names in Major League Baseball. Tickets to Nationals park are still selling out for his starts. If he were to pitch in the All-star game, he would undoubtedly increase the popularity of an already famous event.

However.... I do not believe Steven Strasburg should be an All-Star. It isn't because I don't think he is good enough. Clearly, thus far, he has proven so as mentioned above. However, there are many unwritten rules and unsaid guidelines that govern how rookies are treated and how priority and tenure plays in a big league clubhouse. Granted, I've never been in a Major League clubhouse for more than a spring training game, I have played with enough current big leaguers to know that young ball players are expected to earn their place in the League. Of course, all players want to win at all costs. However, it is still a career and a job and Stephen's place on an All-Star roster will take the place of many other guys would have, at the very the least, pitched the whole season instead of a couple starts. Guys like Carl Pavano and Joel Pinero whom have been around the league for a few years and are beginning to have years that are worthy of all-star recognition.

Also, the All-star game is no longer just an exhibition game. Instead, it is played for home field advantage in the World Series. Allowing a rookie with little experience to make the All-star game because he would bring more fans to the stadium is irresponsible. I don't really think the All-star game is hurting for fans to begin with. So if it counts for something more than bragging rights now (which it does), then I say TV ratings shouldn't factor into the selection process.

Finally, young ball players just need to pay their dues somewhere. I agree the Strasburg is good enough to be an All-Star. I agree he's one of the most electric pitchers in the game today. However, he only spent 2 months in the minors and he is already touted as the next coming of Nolan Ryan. If his character is how it is described (a true gamer), than an all-star skip this year will only make him hungrier for the second half and the pennant run.

Let me know if you agree...

Until Next Time!!