Tipping Pitches...

[b-ball-lunachik]

Okay, much has been made of Pettitte tipping his pitches in last year's World Series -- the D'backs caught it and wisely used that to their advantage.

Now there's talk about Schilling tipping pitches by Sutcliffe:

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diam...2dbnb1002.html

Curt Schilling may be a magician on the mound, but ESPN analyst Rick Sutcliffe says he has figured out some tricks.

Schilling, who will pitch Thursday for the Diamondbacks, is tipping his pitches, Sutcliffe claims.

"I was watching him pitch (on TV) in his last start, and he gave up a couple of home runs and I saw it then," Sutcliffe said before Tuesday night's game. "When he came in to pitch in relief the other night, I told my partner (on ESPN) that I'll tap you every time he throws a fastball."

It wasn't just the fastball: "I was right on every pitch . . . I knew every one of them."

Sutcliffe said the manner in which Schilling holds his glove gives the pitch away - and it's not a secret.

"Jim Edmonds has seen it too," Sutcliffe said. "He told me he screamed at the TV when he heard me say it."

Sutcliffe better not step foot in St Louis this week!

Does it happen more in postseason games when pitchers are more nervous and fidgety, or does it just get more attention now? Also, does this help Schilling and hurt the Cards secret weapon having an independent source point it out...or does it get more into Schilling's head Thursday?

[poorme]

veeeery interesting. that could explain why he's been getting hit hard lately. can schilling stop it, if he's even doing it?

[qtlaw]

Last night McCarver said the Unit might have been tipping his pitches because when he started the game he was starting his windup with his hands at his waist and then later he changed to starting his windup with his hands in front of his face. Anyone else hear/see this? I don't know but what a bomb that Edmonds hit.

[KCBOOMER]

What the hell??? Schilling throws a fast ball two outof every three pitches. What's the difference in knowing and just standing up there and sitting dead red???

[RichG]

Sutcliffe was one of the announcers on Sunday's game, the one Schilling came in during the 8th to try to seal the victory and got knocked around.

During the telecast different camera angles showed, and Sutcliffe explained, that when Schilling had the mitt in front while getting the signal he would spread the fingers of the glove when putting the ball in his right hand preparing to throw the SPLITTER .

It was pretty obvious when it was pointed out and he didn't do it when he wasn't throwing the splitter.

The Cards might have known about it because the few hitters he faced really hit him hard, some of them being fouls. I don't remember who he faced but some of the guys hitting him hard weren't normally that good.

The other announcer and Sutcliffe agreed it was helpful to get the tip but even knowing about it it's still hard to hit Schilling.

[VNV Nation]

Two out of three is conservative with Schilling, many games he throws probably 80 percent fastballs. And, if he is doing it, it'll probably be very difficult for him to stop.

[Fatwater Fewl]

I'm not real sure how much faith I put in talk of tipping pitches. I think Schilling's having shoulder problems. I have nothing to back that up with, except his history and the huge number of pitches he's thrown the past 2 seasons. We'll see what the next game and the winter bring.

[Duque]

I seem to remember reading something like this earlier in the year - that Schill did tip his pitches. But the author's conclusion was that it really didn't matter - even if you knew what was coming, it was hard enough to hit it.

[Max Power]

I've seen Schilling pitch where he mouths the pitch he is about to throw before he throws it.

He "tipped" his pitches to A-Rod in the ASG.

If your stuff is good - - really doesn't matter if they know what is coming.

[plasticbryan]

If he is tipping his pitches, all he needs to do is throw a couple high and inside when the batter is looking for the slider. That should keep them guessing. It only needs to be done a half dozen times, or so, and then I think the scale will tip back to Schilling's advantage.

[gyb13]

despite their loss, Schilling showed that, to him, "Tipping" is just a city in China

[tortured angel]

2 straight seasons of less than 40 walks. This screams first ball fastball to me. Maybe his location just wasn't what it needed to be for awhile. I remember the analysts last post season talking about taking pitches and how you may be able to tire him with high pitch counts. When you look at his bb/k and hr/bb ratios it should be obvious to be agressive early lest ye swing through a 1-2 splitter. These numbers tip his pitches more than anything he could do in his windup.

[Fatwater Fewl]

Originally posted by Fatwater Fewl
I'm not real sure how much faith I put in talk of tipping pitches. I think Schilling's having shoulder problems. I have nothing to back that up with, except his history and the huge number of pitches he's thrown the past 2 seasons. We'll see what the next game and the winter bring.

Funny, I don't mind being wrong about this. What a strange feeling.

[moose]

look, schilling's a great pitcher, but even great pitchers have bad starts.

if those bad starts are truly randomly distributed throughout the season (yes, there are outside variables, but humor me), then there's no reason why they can't come in one stretch.