Baseball Pitching Tips: The Worst Baseball Question On Earth!

In the last four plus decades, I've answered all baseball questions respectfully and to the best of my ability. Please don't test me by asking me this one!

I've answered many questions on baseball hitting, baseball pitching, baseball coaching and more over several decades. I can proudly say that not once did I ever think the question was not a worthwhile question and I always showed the utmost respect to the person asking the question. However, there is one question on the topic of baseball pitching that I'm having a hard time coming to grips with. It is way off base, no pun intended. I must have heard it 1,000 times. The question is one that pertains to baseball pitching and is asked to a baseball pitcher about pitching to a real good hitter. The worst baseball question on earth is ..."How do you pitch to so and so?" The sportswriter, sportscaster or baseball commentator is asking a baseball pitcher how he pitches to a certain outstanding baseball hitter. I've learned a lot over the years by simply listening to these guys. For the most part, they are very intelligent and great "baseball people." But like I said, this question irks me! Does the person asking the question think that the answer may be "breaking balls, low and away?" Or does the person think the answer is "fastballs up and in?" Or can it be "changeups down low?" The proper answer given by any baseball pitcher who has any experience at all will always be the same and I've heard this answer 1,000 times in the last four or five decades. It's almost word for word, the same exact answer. And the answer to this annoying question is..... "I try to mix up my pitches, change speeds and move the ball around on him." What other answer can there possibly be? Okay I'm kidding a little bit about being annoyed. In all honesty, the question really doesn't bother me but I want to make a point. I understand that as a baseball pitcher, you may have a favorite pitch you like to use to a certain very good hitter, but you can't rely on it exclusively.