Whether you’re a veteran baseball or softball pitcher, or just getting started, one thing’s for certain: you need protection for your body that’s thicker than just your uniform. Think about it: The typical major-league baseball comes flying off the bat straight for your head at an average of 100 miles an hour. The typical fast-pitch softball can clock up to 70.
What’s more: batting coaches instruct the players to aim the ball straight for the pitcher’s head – a strategy that makes sense since the pitcher is the only thing standing in between the home plate and a gaping hole that extends straight into the outfield. The fact remains that the majority of pitchers are still recovering from the force of pitching the ball by the time the ball reaches their head from the tip of that bat – only thirty feet away.
Purchasing and using a pitching screen can be a life-saving investment. The following basic steps will help you choose and set up the screen that’s right for you.
Choosing the screen:
First, you must decide what kind of screen you want. It’s important to note that the softball screens and baseball screens are not meant to be interchanged; a softball is released from the hip whereas a baseball is released from slightly lower than the pitcher’s shoulder.
If you play softball, then you will need a screen that has a release opening slightly lower than the rib cage. If you play baseball, look for a screen that is sized for the hole just higher than the rib cage.
The set up:
Be aware: the level of the hole in the screen does not adjust once the screen size is purchased so the distance you put the screen from you body will have to be modified. Putting the screen close to your body may seem like a good idea, as you seem to be completely protected, but the draw-back is post-release your arm will tend to get snagged with the netting.
On average, pitchers stride six feet between the beginning of the pitch and the release of the ball – the height of their bodies. The common practice is to place the screen about seven feet from the pitcher’s plate. By the time the ball reaches the pitcher, the pitcher should be fully protected.
Additional set-up tips:
Be sure all legs are fastened tightly. If the legs wobble, the force of the ball from the bat can topple the net, leaving the pitcher unprotected against the ball. Legs should always stay at a 45 degree angle from the frame of the unit to create stability. Place the screen on a flat and stable surface directly facing the batter.
Warning: Any rips or tears in the netting should be repaired immediately. Do not walk on the netting if the screen is laid on the ground. The screen should also be stored under shelter and away from freezing temperatures.
Remember: always respect safety. If something seems out of place with your pitching screen, then it probably is. There is no risk in using precaution, yet there is risk in leaving yourself unprotected against a 100 MPH ball coming at your skull from 20 feet away.
Now that you have purchased and set up your pitching screen, you’re ready to begin practice!
