What Does a Baseball Pitcher Do?

A baseball pitcher is one of the most challenging positions in all of sports. They have to be able to throw different pitches with accuracy and speed. They also have to know how to handle a variety of situations. It is important for them to be able to stay healthy and avoid injury. They need to have a strong mind and good focus power.

Depending on the pitch type, a pitcher may have to change the angle of his arm. For example, he may have to move his elbow back when throwing a curveball and then forward when throwing a slider. However, he should keep his arm angle consistent to avoid tipping off the batter as to what pitch is coming.

Some pitchers will use a late down movement with their changeup, which can make it difficult for the batter to hit it. Others will have a slurve, which is similar to a curveball but has less movement and is used for a strikeout pitch.

A pitcher is also responsible for covering home plate when there are runners on. He also must back up all throws from the outfield to third base. In addition, he is the first person to stop the game and take the ball to the umpire if there is a technical problem with the field. The best pitchers have a combination of skills that include fast and accurate pitches, a solid curveball, and good control. For example, Walter Johnson had 417 wins in his career.