Stop Hiding Behind the Radar Gun

Steve Bernhardt: Building the Better Ballplayer

Here’s the exchange.

“How did John pitch today?”

“He was 87-89mph.”

We all do it. Scouts, coaches, parents, players…we all love to spit out velocities when asked about pitchers. And while velocity certainly has its place, it’s time to come out from behind the radar gun and see who can really pitch.

In January of 2005 we invited a young, skinny left-handed pitcher from Ohio to participate in our Pre-Season All-America Tournament. This player was already a part of our Exclusive College Recruiting Program, so we had seen him on several occasions and liked him. He was exactly the kind of player we like to invite to that event. At the same time, he was exactly the kind of player that has drawn criticism over the years from parents and supposed experts for being invited to play in the Pre-Season All-America event because he wasn’t listed on any national player rating lists, he wasn’t committed to a major Division I school (or any school for that matter) and he didn’t throw harder than 83 mph.

But when one of the scouts working the event for us (Mac Seibert, current scout for the NY Mets), saw this young LHP throw, he liked him. He looked past the low 80’s velocity to see a good athlete and competitor with clean arm action, good secondary pitches and the ability to throw strikes. He envisioned how good this young man could be down the road. Mac liked him so much that he recommended him to his friend Randy Putman, Head Coach at powerhouse Wallace State CC – Hanceville. After two very successful seasons at Wallace State, more and more people were beginning to realize that this young man could pitch. He committed to play at Arizona State University, but never reached their campus, electing instead to sign with the Texas Rangers who had selected him in that year’s (2007) amateur draft.

That young man’s name is Derek Holland and just a few years later he is in the Major Leagues with the Rangers. Many coaches and scouts passed over him in high school. They held the gun up for a few of his pitches and after a few readings of 81 and 82 they put their guns away and concentrated on other players on the field. He is bigger and stronger now and he does throw harder, but in a velocity-only baseball world he almost didn’t get the chance to develop. A few weeks ago, Derek beat the Angels throwing a complete game 3-hit shutout. I think as he walked off the mound in Anaheim, the Rangers were probably glad that someone a few years back had looked beyond the radar gun to dream on a skinny lefty who could really pitch.



Steve Bernhardt is the Executive VP of Baseball Operations with Baseball Factory. Bernhardt played for five years in the Colorado Rockies organization. As Executive VP of Baseball Operations at Baseball Factory, he oversees all events and instruction. Bernhardt formerly served as an Associate Scout with the Colorado Rockies. He received his B.S. from the University of Richmond where he was an All-Conference player.

Summer Pitching Development

Steve Bernhardt: Building the Better Ballplayer

As summer baseball gets into full swing, pitchers throughout the country should be feeling great. With most high school seasons that were filled with cold weather, rain and missed starts now over, pitchers can settle into a regular summer rotation. Throughout our summer game schedule we need to continue to work on improving.

In my opinion, young pitchers should concentrate on two areas: fastball command and arm strength. Let’s look at each.

First, and most important, is fastball command. This means that you, as a pitcher, can throw your fastball exactly where you want. Keep in mind that command is different than control. Control means that you can throw your fastball for strikes. Command means that you can throw it to your target. This may mean on the inside corner, it may mean low and away, it may even mean throwing it intentionally six inches off the plate with an 0-2 count on the hitter. Being able to command your fastball is the single most important part to being a successful pitcher.

In order to have command, you must be able to repeat your delivery and release point every pitch. There are many stories of pitchers in the Major Leagues who drew the strike zone on a wall growing up and threw to spots on that wall in and out of the strike zone. Their command got so good that they wore out certain spots on the wall. Whether you work on this on your own or in organized bullpen sessions, work hard to throw your fastball where you want it.

Secondly, continue to work on arm strength. To this day, the only proven way to improve arm strength is to play long toss. Even throughout your summer season, you need to find days that you can stretch out your arm and throw long. This helps to build arm strength and arm speed, ultimately resulting in improved velocity.

All pitchers should implement a regular program over the summer that includes their game starts, side sessions with an emphasis on fastball command, and long toss sessions. After several months of following that schedule, your results are sure to improve.


Bernhardt played for five years in the Colorado Rockies organization. As Executive VP of Baseball Operations at Baseball Factory, he oversees all events and instruction. Bernhardt currently serves as an Associate Scout with the Colorado Rockies. He received his B.S. from the University of Richmond where he was an All-Conference player.