In Pitching School, we spend a lot of time helping pitchers simplify their mechanics. The simpler the motion, the easier it is to repeat. The easier it is to repeat, the more strikes they throw and the more spots they hit.

But once a pitcher is able throw strikes, coaches and parents start asking a new question:

"How do I teach pitch-calling strategy?"

It's a great question, and honestly, it's one I have spent a lot of time thinking about.

I heard that when you go into a job interview, you should tell the boss that your biggest flaw is perfectionism because it isn't really a flaw. As a pitcher and instructor, I know for a fact that it can be a flaw, and I believe sports can help people overcome it.

I think the pitching position tends to attract perfectionistic people. While I doubt any pitcher can be a complete perfectionist—otherwise she'd probably quit after a week because of all the walks, errors, and hit batters—I do think this is a topic that deserves attention. Please remember that I possess these qualities myself, so I'm writing out of an affinity for my fellow pitchers.