Many youth pitchers try and want to strike everyone out.  If you want a recipe for disaster, go ahead and try it.  Sandy Koufax said, “I became a good pitcher when I stopped trying to make them miss the ball and started trying to make them hit it.

Do not give away free passes.  There is no defense for a base on balls or hit by pitch.

Being a successful pitcher means getting outs.  To do that, you must be a smart pitcher.  Focus on getting ahead of the hitter.  Throwing the first pitch for a strike is extremely important.  A hitter with an 0-1 count has a batting average much lower than with a 1-0 count.

Focus on pitching to advantage counts.  Get ahead (0-1, 0-2, 1-2) and keep the count in your favor.  Throw a strike on 1-1 and swing the at-bat in your favor.

Trust your catcher.  Don’t worry about throwing to a hitter.  Don’t throw to home plate.  Throw to the catcher’s glove.  Be a mitt hitter.