Stay out of the Middle...

Many coaches teach to keep the ball down in the zone.  This is a good place to start though UP IN THE ZONE can be used as a weapon as well.  Stay out of the middle of the plate should be a major focus while training in your bullpens.  Hitters hit more pitches in the middle of the plate than either other part of the zone!  At Showcase Baseball Academy (www.showcasebaseballacademy) we always start our bullpens with working the glove side (opposite arm side) of the plate to maximize extension and finish.  Use all four corners of the strike zone as well as elevating pitches above the zone to raise the hitters eye level.  Enjoy your freedom to expand the zone...