Develop consistency with your pitch location using the Cimarron Strike Zone Trainer.

The multiple pocket design replicates a strike zone allowing for coaches and players to truly see if they’re hitting their spots. The frame is made of 16-gauge galvanized steel, which is protected by 1/2″ foam padding. The netting is a treated #60 twisted poly netting.

The 9-Hole Strike Zone

The Cimarron 9-Hole Strike Zone Pitcher’s Target

• 16 Gauge Galvanized Steel
• 1/2″ Foam Padding for frame protection
• #60 Twisted Poly treated netting
• Strike Zone Dimensions: 49″ H x 42″ W
• Overall Dimensions: 55″ H x 42″ W

The Coach’s Take

The importance of players staying in shape while not in season is critical. Numerous injuries happen every year and it is so important for younger players to stay in shape to be ready for their upcoming season. This downtime is also a great time to work on arm strength, arm care, pitching mechanics, and work on pitch types, and pitch location.

Each pitcher should take the opportunity each summer to work on their pitches and the location of those pitches, along with weight training, arm strength training, and doing an arm care program. This is all coupled with his focusing on working on their pitch location for specific game situations. One of the best ways to work on their mechanics and pitch location only requires a bucket of 30 baseballs, a Cimarron 9-Hole Strike Zone Pitching Target, and a mound.

First, the player should get his arm loose by throwing the entire bucket of baseballs into the pitching target, stretching his arm out to throwing from approximately 90 feet. Once he has done this, he should gather up the baseballs and put the training mound at 60’ 6” from the pitching target, which is the regulation distance, and then start a 30-35 pitch sequence, working on his pitch location. In the off-season, limit the number of pitches to around 35 up to 55.

Start with the fastball and work on 5 inside middle to a right-handed hitter, 5 outside middle to a right-handed hitter, 5 inside top to a right-handed hitter, and 5 outside top to a right-handed hitter. Always work in groups of 5 pitches per location to help develop that release point muscle memorization.

Next move to a slider working 5 middle, 5 inside middle to a right-handed hitter, 5 middle outside to right-handed hitter, and then 5 lower outside to right-handed hitter. He then finishes with his changeup going 5 middle outside to a left-handed hitter, 5 lower outside to left-handed hitter, and finishes with 5 lower outside to a right-handed hitter.

This whole workout routine is to work on pitch locations for a specific purpose. The key to pitching is throwing strikes, changing speed, and moving the ball inside/out and up/down. The pitcher really needs to make the hitter “move his eyes”, meaning keep showing them different locations so they cannot get locked in on one pitch and one location. We have found the best way to work on this is to use the 9 Hole Target for instant results and release point muscle memorization. He has even broken down his workouts for specific pitch focus.

For example, if the pitcher really wants to improve their fastball and changeup away to left-handed hitters. He can throw 15 straight fastballs focusing on the middle inside and then right after that threw 15 straight changeups to the lower outside to left-handers. The next workout focuses on a middle inside fastball and then a lower outside curveball to a right-handed hitter.

Features

Features of the Cimarron 9-Hole Strike Zone Trainer

• 16 Gauge Galvanized Steel
• 1/2″ Foam Padding for frame protection
• #60 Twisted Poly treated netting
• Strike Zone Dimensions: 49″ H x 42″ W
• Overall Dimensions: 55″ H x 42″ W