Pittsburgh Pirates need a lot to work on in spring training
The Pittsburgh Pirates are looking to add on power in the 2011 season and their best shot at doing that comes up in spring training.
The club has done terribly in the Major Leagues for a long time now. With Chuck Tanner being the last manager to bring the club its World Series title in 1979, there is a lot of pressure on new man in charge, Clint Hurdle. The former Texas Rangers’ hitting
coach has gone ahead to term the club a tough regiment that would get the players in shape for the upcoming series.
In 2010, the Pirates ended their campaign with high earning runs average of 5.00. Furthermore, five of their pitchers dragged out at least 10 losses. The situation at the club is terrible to say the least and the management is doing the best it can to focus
on the weak areas of the club.
Pitching Coach Ray Searage and Hurdle brought forward a new workout plan for 40 pitchers in catchers who reported in for training recently.
Hurdle touched on sensitive issues concerning pitching. His agenda was to curtail the loose end ball throwing and the defective problems. Clint focused on areas to work on during the practice.
“Number one, defencing their position when the ball has left their hand,” Hurdle said.
“No. 2, it’s holding runners with efficiency as far as varying their release times off the mound, incorporating a slide step. No. 3, become much more effective in their pickoff moves when those are put into play,” Hurdle added. “Their throws to first, quick
feet, the ball coming out of the glove, getting good throws that can be handled at first base, or at second base.”
Searage also spoke on the matter and said that the players would be moving more during the training period than any other time after the regular season begins.
Tags: