Control vs. Command

By: PBR Staff

Control and command are two words used frequently when describing a pitcher’s success or lack there of.  In this “Bullpen Session”, we will look at the difference and importance of each.

Control: The pitcher’s ability to throw strikes. Whether it is a fastball or off-speed, a pitcher’s ability to throw called strikes is control. Although a pitcher needs to have good control to contribute to his success, the location of those strikes can be more important. A pitcher with control is able to get into advantaged counts (0-2, 1-2) and keep the amount of walks down.  Pitchers at the high school level who throw strikes or who have good control, will often have a good deal of success. As a result of that success, coaches and/or catchers can call games and make defensive positioning more strategically, which can lead to productive outings.

Command: The pitcher’s ability to make quality pitches where they want. A pitcher who has established command within the strike zone, will not only be able to get called strikes, but will also make high success rate pitches that can yield positive results in high risk, high reward situations.

Example:  RHP vs. Right Handed Hitter with plus power.  The batter’s flaw is that he separates his hands from his body early to try and get to extension, which allows a pitcher with control to establish fastballs hard in. The pitcher with plus command can locate a pitch inside on the black or a ball in and often times jam the good hitter.

So, we have established the importance control and command, now how do we improve them?

1. First, watch the pros to observe and learn pitch sequence. Watch how a pitcher attacks a hitter. Watch how the pitcher throws strikes, but more importantly, throws strikes to certain parts of the strike zone. Learning why something is important is often the first step in gaining mastery.
2. The next step is altering your bullpen sessions. Repeat pitching to a location with a particular type of pitch, until you have established command of that pitch in that location.  Often, a player’s goal during a bullpen session is to reach a pitch limit. Instead of focusing only reaching a certain pitch limit, try performing sets of pitches (i.e. 10 sets of 4 each-fastballs, off-speed away, arm side, etc.).  At the end of your bullpen session, throw to a teammate standing in and get him out in less than 5 pitches.

The goal of pitching is to get outs.  Your chances of getting outs improves with your ability to throw strikes to location.  Control and command are both vital to a pitcher’s success, and every pitcher must focus improving in these areas.