A real bullpen has structure. Specific pitches at specific spots. Rest between sets. Pitch count tracked. This is how a pitcher prepares for a game outing without throwing themselves dead.
What you need: 25 baseballs, a glove, a catcher, a target zone marked on a fence or net, a way to track pitches.
Setup: Pitcher on the mound. Catcher 46 feet away. Target zone on the fence behind the catcher.
How to run it:
- Cue: Set, Lift, Stride, Throw.
- Set 1 (5 fastballs): right at the catcher, low strike. Rest 30 seconds.
- Set 2 (5 fastballs): inside corner. Rest 30 seconds.
- Set 3 (5 fastballs): outside corner. Rest 30 seconds.
- Set 4 (5 changeups, if they have one): low and away. Rest 30 seconds. Set 5 (5 fastballs at full speed): mix of locations. Done.
What to watch: Pitch count and rhythm. 25 pitches is the cap. More than that is too much for an 11-12 year old in a single bullpen. Quality over quantity.
If they’re struggling: Cut to 15 pitches total. Drop the changeup set.
If they’ve got it: Add a hitter standing in the box (no swinging). The pitcher has to deal with a real batter’s eye. Or track pitch results: how many strikes, how many in the desired location.