New Posts

All future posts will be added to the new site!


The new site is here:  http://www.BaseballByTheYard.com


Add it to your favorites if you think it's worthy!

Baseball By The Yard YouTube Channel

If you have not located this yet, Baseball By The Yard has its own YouTube Channel!  The link is below.


Most of the video clips from the blog posts are there.  If you like any of the clips, please do me a favor and hit the "Like" button.  YouTube uses this to help people find my site who are looking for baseball instruction.  


Subscribe to the channel and you'll get notified when I add new videos.


Link:  Baseball By The Yard YouTube Channel

Podcast #1 - Interview with Coach Kevin Manero

I'm pleased to announce that the new site is just about ready.  To give you a taste of what it looks like and a feel for what will be on it, follow the link below to the first Baseball By The Yard podcast!


Please leave a comment under the podcast!  I'd love to hear what you think.


Baseball By The Yard Podcast #1

Do we really need more discipline?

This post can now be found here:
http://www.baseballbytheyard.com/do-we-need-more-discipline/

Taking a lead off first base

This post can now be found HERE.

The Best 58 Second Hitting Video on YouTube

This post can now be found HERE. 

Clinic Update!

Unfortunately, the coaching clinics I was scheduled to speak at this Saturday (Jan. 21) in West Chester, PA, has been cancelled due to conflicts in the venue.

However, the clinics that are scheduled at the Grand Slam facility in Malvern, PA, on Feb. 3-4 are still a go!
I will be part of a panel of coaches speaking about coaching issues on Friday evening and will be one of many speakers presenting on Saturday.  Some great speakers are coming so this is an event that would be great to attend if you are a coach, player, or parent of a player in high school or middle school.  Hope to see you there!

Here is a link to the clinics:
http://www.grandslammalvern.com/TGPABCC.html

The new Baseball By The Yard site will be launching soon!  I'll keep you posted!
Thank you for your patience!

Coach McCreary

Baseball coaches clinics - Mark your calendars!

For those in the Philadelphia area, you might want to check out these coaches clinic that will be coming up after the holidays!  I will be speaking at both of them!  Click on the titles for more information.


January 21:  Winning Team Baseball Coaches Clinic - West Chester, PA

The clinic will feature local baseball experts sharing their strategies and drills for high school, middle school and other youth amateur coaches. Topics will include hitting, baserunning, stealing, pitching, catching, practice organization, and more. The clinic will occur at Science and Discovery High School in Chester, PA.  I will be giving a seminar on hitting drills.

February 3-4:  Greater Philadelphia Area Baseball Coaches Clinic - Malvern, PA
Several Philadelphia area college coaches will be speaking at the event along with Steve Springer, a very popular national speaker and scout/coach in the Toronto Blue Jays organization.  I will be speaking at a seminar as well and will be co-hosting a high school coaches round table/Q&A session on the Friday evening of the event. Hope to see you there!


Thanks to all of you who have taken the survey!  If you have not, a link is below.  I would appreciate any feedback you could provide!


Survey

Happy Birthday! ... and a survey!

Today is Baseball By The Yard's first birthday!  On December 12, 2010, I launched the site with two posts: First Impressions and By The Yard.


Everyday since then (with the exception of a family vacation during the summer) I have tried to post something valuable for players, coaches, parents, and/or fans.  I hope you found them useful!


My goal from the start was to pass on some of the finer points of the game that I have picked up over the years.  I added interviews, a guest post from a good friend of mine, started to add video posts towards the end of the year, and even created a new logo. Your comments and emails along the way were very encouraging and challenged me to give you more.  Hopefully, I have provided content that is easily understood and relevant to all of you in some way.


I have a lot of plans for the future of Baseball By The Yard.  In order to produce the content I want to share, I will need to revamp the site since the current host (Blogger) does not support some of the things I want to do.  Changing things up will require some work and certainly time on my part.  I am hoping it will be finished by the start of the new year.


I will need to take a break from posting until the new site is finished so I can apply the necessary time to get that up and running.  I am hoping the readers will use the remainder of December as a "catch-up" period to go back and read through some of the 340+ posts on the site.


Along with catching up, could you also do me a favor?  


Below is a link that will take you to a survey designed to help me plan out some of the content in the future.  Ultimately, I want to produce information that you need and want.  I don't want to assume I know what that is.  I would greatly appreciate if you could give a minute or two of your time to complete the survey.  Your feedback would be very helpful.


I hope all of you have a happy and relaxing holiday season.  As always, thank you for being a reader and shoot me an email if you need anything!


Click here for the survey


Coach McCreary

Fielding with two triangles

This post can now be found HERE.

Reclaim your downtime

This post can now be found HERE.

Positioning a ball on a batting tee

This post can now be found HERE.

Are your off-season baseball workouts clean?

This post can now be found HERE.

Batting tee drills: Using a stepper

This post is now located HERE.

Baseball books

This post is now located HERE.

Do you see yourself succeed?

This post can now be found HERE.

Scouts look at coaches too

This post can now be found HERE.

The arrogance of organizations

This post can now be found HERE.

How to improve bat speed: A simple tip

This post can now be found HERE.

Off-season hitting: Using wood bats

This post can now be found HERE.

Change your focus by changing your clothes

This post can now be found HERE.

ACTING v REACTING at the plate

This post can now be found HERE.

Off-season training: The two-day workout

This post can now be found HERE.

Off-season hitting: Mix in a take

This post can be found HERE.

Be comfortable with being uncomfortable

This post can now be found HERE.

A common mistake on a change-up

This post can now be found HERE.

Happy Thanksgiving!

This post can now be found HERE.

Lifting routine for beginners

This post can now be found HERE.

Off-season lifting tips

This post can now be found HERE.

Don't get lost in your statistics

This post can now be found HERE.

Would you do that in Yankee stadium?

This post can be found HERE.

Constructive criticism and mixed messages

This post can now be found HERE.

Interview - Alan Jaeger of Jaeger Sports Part 3

This post can now be found HERE.

Interview - Alan Jaeger of Jaeger Sports Part 2

This post can now be found HERE.

Interview - Alan Jaeger of Jaeger Sports - Part 1

This post can now be found HERE.

Take off like an airplane

This post can now be found HERE.

Cast of characters

This post can now be found HERE.

Tip for leads off first base

This post can now be found HERE.

The effects of tension

This post can now be found HERE. 

How to handle a hole on the mound

This post can now be found HERE.

Don’t assume they’ll know what to do.

This post can now be found HERE.

Footwork for 2nd basemen on the flip

This post can now be found HERE.

Training the mental side

This post can now be found HERE.

Every play is a rough draft

This post can now be found HERE.

Fielding: Turn in or spin?

This post can now be found HERE.

Quality at-bats = better stats

This post can now be found HERE.

Off-season hitting: Using lighter bats

This post can now be found HERE.

Off-season hitting: Using heavy bats

This post can now be found HERE.

Practicing to hit the low pitch

This post can now be found HERE.

Psychological warfare

This post can now be found HERE. 

The Chuck-It hitting drill

This post can now be found HERE.

Video: How to throw a four seamer

This post can now be found HERE.

Outfielders: knowing the pitch

This post can now be found HERE.

How to approach a ground ball

This post can now be found HERE.

Concentration grids

This post can now be found HERE.

Finding the seams as an infielder

This post can now be found HERE.

Another option from the stretch position

This post can now be found HERE.

Third baseman's bunt positioning

This post can now be found HERE.

How to film hitters

This post can now be found HERE.

Staying on top of the ball - Pitching

This post can now be found HERE.

Stay on top of the ball - Hitting

This post can now be found HERE.

Stealing signs - Part 3: How to prevent your signs from being stolen

This post can now be found HERE.

Stealing signs - Part 2: How to know if your signs are being stolen.

This post can Now be found HERE.

Stealing signs - Part 1: How teams get them and give them

This post can now be found HERE.

Video post: How to tag

This post can now be found HERE.

The importance of the shutdown inning

This post can now be found HERE.

The proper way to film pitchers

This post can now be found HERE.

Keeping the bat in the hitting zone

This post can now be found HERE.

Where do outfielders’ hands go?

This post can now be found HERE.

The one flaw of Roy Halladay

This post can now be found HERE.

Force the home plate ump to commit

This post can now be found HERE.

How to hit a 100mph fastball

This post can now be found HERE.

The basics of a hitting stride

This post can now be found HERE.

The season is a marathon ...

This post can now be found HERE.

Feel = Experience + Information

This post can now be found HERE.

Sometimes all you have is yourself

This post can now be found HERE.

Infielders and their elbows

This post can now be found HERE.

Remind them to "Hit the cutoff man!"

This post can now be found HERE.

Watching Roy Halladay

This post can now be found HERE.

Teaching little kids how to catch a baseball

This post can now be found HERE.

Video post: How to break in and train your glove

This post can now be found HERE.

There's more to legging out a triple than you might think

This post can now be found HERE.

Why do the best MLB teams lose so much?

This post can now be found HERE.

Dallas Green and scouting "Head and Heart"

This post is now HERE.

Pitching is not rocket science

This post is now HERE.

Flipping the switch

This post is now HERE.

Fielding a bunt is all in the footwork (Part 2)

This post is now HERE.

Fielding a bunt is all in the footwork (Part 1)

This post is now HERE.

Earned vs Unearned runs

This post is now HERE.

Focus inward - Focus outward

This post is now HERE.

Stepping down as head coach

About 10 days ago I officially announced that I was stepping down as head coach of my high school team.  This is something I have been mulling over for a couple years now and just finally came to the conclusion that it was time.  Being a head coach at any level takes up an enormous amount of time.  This, of course, is somewhat predicated on whether or not you want to do it right.  When I started as head coach of the school 13 years ago, I was not married and therefore my wife and I didn’t have the pleasure of chasing around our three little ones yet.  Times have changed.  Basically, I can no longer keep up with the schedule I created 13 years ago.  Those off-season morning and evening workouts, lifting and running sessions, etc. all have helped turn our program into a successful one.  When players enter our high school, they look forward to this schedule and usually ask to start even earlier and include more options.  This expanding program just doesn’t match my need to back off the time commitment.  As a result, it was just time for me to move on.

I feel very blessed that I have been able to decide for myself when it was time to step down.  Many coaches do not get that luxury.  I am lucky that school administrators, parents, and community members bought into our system and let it proceed as we saw fit.  The players played.  The coaches coached.  The parents cheered.  The administrators backed up our mission.  I know how fortunate I was to lead such a program.  Many of the pitfalls that throw large wrenches into programs just didn’t seem to occur for us.  Not really sure why.  I’ve heard many horror stories from and about other programs where good coaches are/were not given the same treatment.  I consider myself lucky.

When I was younger, I paid attention when players and coaches were interviewed on TV.  I also read books about and sometimes written by people in the game.  At the end of these players’ and coaches’ careers, ultimately the same question was asked to all of them.  “Do you have any regrets?”  In virtually every single case, the answer was “I didn’t get to see my kids grow up.”  I’m not sure why but even as a little kid, I remember hoping that if I was ever asked that question in the future, I would truthfully be able to give another answer.

Two of my kids are now playing their first team sport - the "S" word (soccer).  Watching them both run around in a swarm of players around the ball with gigantic smiles on their faces is priceless.  I want to see more of that.


We'll see when I decide to get back on a field to coach.  Expanding the blog, making some videos, maybe a book, organizing coaching seminars and player clinics certainly will keep me busy and connected to the game.

A big thank you to all those who played a role in our program.  My only request of you now is to continue giving the next coach the same treatment you gave me.

Tampa Bay Rays: Talented and having fun!

This post is now HERE.

Radio interview with Coach McCreary

This post is now HERE.

Outfielders: Give yourself a chance

This post is now HERE.

There’s no such thing as a “wrong pitch to throw”

This post is now HERE.

Curve ball adjustment – another option

This post is now HERE.

The safety squeeze

This post is now HERE.

Communication tips for defense

This post is now HERE.

APPROACH - result - RESPONSE

This post is now HERE.

Focus on the NOW

This post is now HERE.

Never forget

This post is now HERE.

I'm looking for some help!

A graphic designer I am not.  Because of my artistic shortcomings, I am struggling with the creation of a logo for Baseball By The Yard that could be placed on hats, shirts, jackets, etc.  I thought I’d throw it out to all of the readers and try to tap into the collective creativity of the group.  I’m now accepting any and all ideas on a symbol or logo for the blog.  To make it worthwhile, if I choose someone’s idea, they’ll get some free merchandise with the logo.  If anyone is interested, please send your ideas, pictures, artwork, etc to BaseballByTheYard@gmail.com.

Ideally, I'd like to finalize one in a week or two.
Thanks in advance to anyone who takes time to help.

I hope you are enjoying the posts.  As always, if you have any ideas for posts, comments about posts, or questions, please do not hesitate to send them along as well. 

I can’t tell you how much I enjoy reading the feedback I get.

Have a great day!

Coach McCreary

Catchers: Be sure to protect your hand

This post is now HERE.

Recognize the little things

This post is now HERE.

Second basemen – Back up first base!

This post is now HERE.

Two fungo drills you may not have done

This post is now HERE.

A tip for improving location for pitchers

This post is now HERE.

Report card for off-season planning

This post is now HERE.

Be on time in fastball counts!

This post is now HERE.

Which one of "The Five" are you going to pin your name to?

This post is now HERE.

Vance Worley, Phillies Rookie

This post is now HERE.

Don't speed up the hitter's bat

This post is now HERE.

Everyone can hit a fast ball

This post is now HERE.

AJ Burnett needs to "trust his stuff"

This post is now HERE.

The flaw in 1st pitch hitting stats

This post is now HERE.

The Suicide Squeeze - Part 5: Defending the squeeze play

This post is now HERE.

The suicide squeeze - Part 4: The mechanics

This post is now HERE.

The Suicide Squeeze - Part 3: The timing

This post is now HERE.

The Suicide Squeeze - Part 2: Giving & receiving the sign

This post is now HERE.

The suicide squeeze - Part 1: The why's and when's

This post is now HERE.

There's more to pro ball then just playing baseball

This post is now HERE.

Book Review: Catching 101

This post is now HERE.

Jim Thome vs Carlos Zambrano

This post is now HERE.

If you're good, they will find you.

This post is now HERE.

By The Yard Update

Hello everyone.
The family and I have a lot going on in the next few weeks so I will be taking a bit of a vacation from posting largely because my access to a computer is not guarenteed. 

This may be a good opportunity to go back and check out some of the posts you may have missed!

Below is a list of posts that are coming in the near future:

• A multiple part series on getting out of hitting slumps.
• Another series on everything involving turning a double play as a second baseman.
• The suicide squeeze and the safety squeeze.
• Defending the 1st and 3rd situation
• and many more.

My readership has consistently been growing since I started about 200 posts ago and I can't thank you all enough.  I will be adding some Baseball By The Yard merchandice section (t-shirts, sweatshirts, has, etc) in the near future.  Also some give-aways involving those things as well so stay tuned!

Should anybody have new ideas for posts or things you would recommend for the site, please do not hesitate to pass them along.  Just shoot me an email at BaseballByTheYard@gmail.com.

Coach McCreary

The game shows no mercy

This post is now HERE.

Catchers: Tips before giving the pitch sign

This post is now HERE.

I belong at this level

This post is now HERE.

Pay vs Job Security

This post is now HERE.

Which eye is dominant?

This post is now HERE. 

Learning to pitch by casting a fishing rod

This post is now HERE.

Coaching vs Managing

This post is now HERE.

Talking hitting

This post is now HERE.

Pitching: Keeping the foot under the knee

This post is now HERE.

Catchers and throws to third base

This post is now HERE.

Don't leave scouts guessing about your arm strength

This post is now HERE.

Another option for defending the double-steal

This post is now HERE.

Don't ignore your star players.

This post is now HERE.

Can a pitcher throw too many strikes?

This post is now HERE.

Double-Relays

This post is now HERE.

Outfielders: Know the steps to the fence

This post is now HERE.

Bat label up and bat label down

This post is now HERE.

I got it, you take it!

This post is now HERE.

When two runners are at a base

This post is now HERE. 

Hitting behind a runner at first base (Part 2)

This post is now HERE.

Hitting behind a runner at first base (Part 1)

This post is now HERE.

Practice vs "Deliberate" Practice

This post is now HERE.

The new and improved (?!) Justin Verlander

This post is now HERE.

Infield footwork

This post is now HERE.

Inside for effect and inside for a strike

This post is now HERE.

How can you get mad at young players?

This post is now HERE.

Long-Tee Drill

This post is now HERE.

Is it ok to slide into first base?

This post is now HERE.

Most players ...

This post is now HERE.

What can we learn from a chicken?

This post is now HERE.

Where do you touch a base?

This post is now HERE.

3rd base coach: Send the runner?

This post is now HERE.

First base: Defending the "first move"

This post is now HERE.

When does the stride foot land?

This post is now HERE.

Staying within your stance

This post is now HERE.

Quickening your throws: Catch around the ball

This post is now HERE.

Quickening your throws: Take it to the hip

This post is now HERE.

The Power of the Bench

This post is now HERE.

 

Shortstops and the 5.5 hole

This post is now HERE.

Third Base Coach: What to say

This post is now HERE.

The Contact Play

This post is now HERE.

1st Base coach: What to say

This post is now HERE.

Leads off second base: Settle down!

This post is now HERE.

Get the umpire to talk

This post is now HERE.

Labeling Bryce Harper

This post is now HERE.

Go with your best

This post is now HERE.

The Delayed Steal (Part 3)

This post is now HERE.

The delayed steal (Part 2)

This post is now HERE.

The Delayed Steal (Part 1)

This post is now HERE.

Showing up players

This post is now HERE.

The game is hard

This post is now HERE.

Sun balls

This post is now HERE.

The big inning

This post is now HERE.

Good or bad?

This post is now HERE.

Catchers and pre-game

This post is now HERE.

Swing and Miss stuff

This post is now HERE.

Bunt delay

This post is now HERE.

Receiving pick-off throws at second base

This post is now HERE.

Throwing on the run

This post is now HERE.

Ladder of Accountability

This post is now HERE.

Pick-off throws to second base

This post is now HERE.

Base running with two outs

This post is now HERE.

The push-bunt (Part 2)

This post is now HERE.

The push-bunt (Part 1)

This post is now HERE.

Survey

You may have noticed in the upper right part of the page that there is a message asking for some feedback.  I am interested in doing some other projects in the future and wanted to get some feedback from my readers.  Those on my mailing list heard about the quick survey (thank you to those who responded!) and now I wanted to make it available for anyone else as well.

If you have an interest in helping me with the survey, please click HERE.

If you have an interest in joining our mailing list, please click HERE for details.

As always, thank you for reading my blog.  I am very grateful to all of you who feel my posts are worth reading.

Should any of you have comments, questions, and/or suggestions on how to improve the posts or the site, please do not hesitate to contact me at baseballbytheyard@gmail.com

Coach McCreary

On your own (Part 2)

This post is now HERE.

On your own (Part 1)

This post is now HERE.

The slide step

This post is now HERE.

The slow roller (Part 2)

This post is now HERE.

The slow roller (Part 1)

This post is now HERE.

Putting runners in motion

This post is now HERE.

Fielding in "less than ideal" conditions

This post is now HERE.

What to do IF you are picked off by a lefty.

This post is now HERE.

Team Climate

This post is now HERE.

How NOT to get picked off by a lefty

This post is now HERE.

The mini tee

This post is now HERE.

Hitting the low pitch

This post is now HERE.

Act as if ...

This post is now HERE.

The forbidden conversation

This post is now HERE.

Fear and Arrogance

This post is now HERE.

Snap throws to third base

This post is now HERE.

Fast paced practice drills for defense

This post is now HERE.

Pitching: Using both sides of the plate

This post is now HERE.

Step and Throw

“Step and Throw!"  If you were/are a pitcher, how many times have you heard that phrase on a ball hit back to you?  How many times have you said it as a coach?  A wonderful friend to any pitcher is an easily fielded ball hit back to them.  This is especially “friendly” when the pitcher needs a double play.  Of course, we’ve all seen this “easy” play turn into a disaster when the pitcher throws the ball down the right field line or into center field and gets nobody out. “Stepping and throwing” is good advice on these plays for one obvious reason and another reason that isn’t so obvious but just as important nonetheless.    

Practicing the pitcher's best friend.(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

In my opinion, most throwing errors are the result of poor footwork.  Anything a pitcher can do to gather his weight and balance, set his feet properly, step towards the target, and follow through correctly is going to result in a more accurate, powerful throw.  Saying “step and throw” is a shorter way of expressing the need to do all of the above.

But there is a second reason why “stepping and throwing” is valuable on these types of plays especially those that require the pitcher to throw to second base to start a double play.  Some pitchers are in such a hurry to turn the double play that they catch the ground ball, turn, and throw to second base very quickly.  Because second base is fairly close to the mound, it usually becomes a fairly easy throw to make.  The problem that often arises is that the pitcher does not give the shortstop enough time to get to the bag.  The “step and throw” or “crow-hop” after catching the ball and before throwing allows the shortstop enough time to reach the bag.  In this case, the pitcher’s footwork is sometimes more for the shortstop than for the pitcher.

Good footwork before the throw helps pitchers with their throws and also improves the timing of allowing their teammates to be in a better position to make the catch and make a strong, accurate throw of their own.

Point

Point to all fly balls.  You never know
when a teammate will need that help.

A simple tip for everyone in the infield that can go a long way is to point to all fly balls off the bat.  If you pay attention to MLB games, you'll see this quite a bit.  A ball is hit high and deep into the outfield and everyone in the infield points to the ball.  Even the pitcher.  Of course, this is done to help anyone who did not get a good read on the ball coming off the bat.  There are always times when a ball will get lost in the sea of white t-shirts or rally towels in the crowd.  Many fields at the amateur level do not have very good (dark) backgrounds behind the plate which would provide a good contrast to the white ball.  It could also simply be a case where a fielder just blinks at contact and doesn't see the ball come off the bat well.  


Regardless of the reason for not picking up the ball, everyone in the infield should point to fly balls in order to help their teammates find the ball more easily.  If the fielder does not see the ball, he can just look at everyone's arm and follow them right up to where the ball is.  Of course, if the fly ball is hit and a fielder has to go for the ball, he would not be expected to point to the ball as he runs.  This would slow him down.  Everyone else not involved in the play should though.


You never know when a fielder may need this kind of help so everyone in the infield should get into the habit of pointing every time.  

Pitchers: Pre-game routine (Part 2)

In the previous Pre-game routine (Part 1), I provided a pre-game schedule for starting pitchers.  The timing involved allows pitchers to properly prepare to avoid having a sluggish start to the first inning.  Today, I provide a suggested pitch-by-pitch routine when pitchers are actually on the bullpen mound practicing their pitches.  This too can be tweaked to fit the needs of individual pitchers.  Below the chart are some additional explanations of things that appear in the chart.

Chart Key:
FB = Fastball                    I   = Inside half or corner
CU = Change-up              M = Middle of the plate, low
BR = Breaking Pitch        O  = Outer half or corner
S / B = Strike or Ball

Pitch (Wind-up)	S / B	Pitch (Stretch)	S / B
1. FB – M		21. FB – M
2. FB – M		22. FB – I
3. FB – I		23. FB – O
4. FB – I		24. CU – M
5. FB – O		25. FB – I
6. FB – O		26. BR – M
7. CU – M		27. FB – O
8. CU – M		28. BR – O
9. FB – M		29. BR – O
10. CU – M		30. FB - M
11. FB – I
12. BR- M
13. BR – M		Totals	%
14. FB – I		% Strikes
15. BR - O		FB % strikes
16. FB – O		BR % strikes
17. CU – M		CU % strikes
18. FB – I		Wind-up %
19. BR – O		Stretch %
20. FB - M

Additional Notes:

A starting pitcher needs to be efficient
yet thorough to ensure he doesn't throw
too much or too little in the pen.

• After the first few fast balls it is important to alternate pitches frequently.  This is what pitchers will do in a game so it's important to get used to it in the bullpen as well.  
• Another reason for breaking up off-speed pitches with a fast ball or two is to remind your arm of the proper arm speed needed.  One of the goals of every pitcher is to get their arm speed on all off-speed pitches to look like their fast ball.  In many cases, the arm speed does more to fool the batter than the break or speed of the actual pitch.  Mixing in a fastball gives your arm the reminder it needs as to what the arm speed of the fast ball feels like.
• You'll notice that every pitch has a targeted location.  This process has a dual purpose.  It allows the pitcher to get his arm loose and work location at the same time.  When pitchers are able to do multiple things at the same time during their bullpen sessions, they are able to save on the number of pitches thrown.  In turn, these saved pitches can be reserved for later in the game when the pitcher may need them the most.
• BR - M refers to a "get me over" breaking pitch.  Many hitters will take a breaking pitch early in the count so a pitcher must be able to throw it and have it end up in the strike zone if the batter takes it.  BR - O refers to a breaking pitch used as an "out pitch."  Both types of pitches are extremely important come game time so a pitcher wants to get the feel of both prior to starting the game.
• You'll notice that all the change-ups are located down the middle.  I'm a firm believer that pitchers should aim for the center of the plate with their change-ups.  You want the batter to think it's a mistake fast ball down the middle so he is encouraged to swing.  If you get a batter thinking this, he will be way out in front of the pitch.  If that is the case, the last thing I want is for him to miss it.  If he hits it, it's probably an easy out.  If he misses it, unless he strikes out he gets at least one more pitch to swing at. 
• The last 10 pitches are from the stretch.  I am constantly amazed how many pitchers I see at the high school level that do not throw enough from the stretch prior to the game.  This is a big reason why many pitchers are very vulnerable the first time they throw from the stretch during the game.  They just did not prepare themselves for it.
• It would be nice to have  quality pitching coach with you while you are warming up to monitor everything but it is not necessary.  The "win" or "loss" goes next to the pitcher's name so ultimately it is his responsibility to make sure he is prepared.
• It's important for pitchers to focus on what they are doing during their pre-game bullpen session.  It's also important to NOT take the results too seriously though.  Many great games have followed a poor bullpen session where the pitcher appeared to have nothing.  Of course, many pitchers have also left the bullpen on top of the world and never made it out of the first inning.  Do your best but stay level headed regardless of how you perform in the pen.