MLB Tonight Explains Why Pitchers Hit Batters

Al Leiter demonstrates how pitchers target certain areas of the body when throwing inside at a batter.

[crwilso]

These retired pitchers, no matter how old, can always still throw spot on if they feel like it. That recent Red-Bull prank video with Greg Maddux is more proof. I don't know why university-level coaches aren't hiring these guys as consultants to show up for a few days and strike out their kids, teach their pitchers a few things. There are so many retired pitchers just sitting around watching Judge Judy.

[Nickgantz]

The thing that amazes me most is how Al can go from a regular baseball, to a super light weight wiffleball, and still throw it in the exact spot, despite the large weight difference. That's not easy to do!

[Breakbeats.]

When I was little I asked my uncle Jerry, "uncle, why do they rush the mound after getting hit?" He asked me, "you ever been hit by a 93 mile an hour fast ball?" I said, "no." To which he just let out final, "alright then."

[justinmoore]

Can we just talk about how smooth that trade was from the real ball to the wiffle ball

[popolbruh]

Met fan right here. Al was a terrific pitcher and he had numbers you'd see from the best pitchers today in an era when guys were juiced up and hitting 50-60 homers a season.

[drazer]

Should have had Pedro Martinez on this episode.

[NotOneToFly]

"Please catch these" 3:13 I'm fuckin' dying here man ahahahaha

[JamesSmith-dmwx]

I'm just watching this years later. Amazing that Leiter can still consistently throw wherever he wants. It's a testament to just how good you have to be. Also, throwing a wiffleball with the same accuracy may be even more impressive.

[fortyfour]

Never seen this years ago....these guys are great. And yes, can still put the ball exactly where he wants it. Very nice!

[orbas]

Getting one straight to the thigh is a damn bad feeling. Especially when it's cold out, try to walk it off to first and by the time you get there your leg is dead and you need a backup runner lol.

[cameronkohlmann]

Gets hit by pitch
Runs to the mound holding bat screaming "You picked the wrong house, fool!"

[tractorback]

Al is one of the most fun guys to watch on that channel.

[Survivor_of_DMVdrivers]

They didn't really explain the "why" but more of the "how" instead. Still, I enjoyed seeing the enthusiasm & chemistry of these analysts, making me interested regardless (and baseball's probably my least favorite sport). :)

[pacificostudios]

Not only is that guy throwing pitches years after leaving the game, but he's doing it in dress clothes and a tie. What a man!

[woodrow]

That is an awesome set. How would you like to have that as your office?

[aboriani]

2:08 kids don't do it... it explains a lot

[iangordon]

I know a lot about baseball. This honestly is my favorite thing I have ever learned about baseball.

[ragingsavage]

just shows how tough mccutchen was when he got beamed by Chapman out of all people. and he just walked it off. can't stand pitchers hitting battera

[RickyKool]

Pitchers who throw at batters would be the first ones to complain if the batter charges the mound with a bat in his hand. Throwing at someone is really lame.

[Gumbocinno]

Leiter's got some serious sleight of hand.