As the pitcher progresses to a higher level he simply cannot give up the in- side part of the plate by constantly pitching outside. Good hitters are able to figure out very quickly where a pitcher consistently throws his fastball and other pitches and will go to the plate looking for that pitch in a specific location. Thus, at a very young age the pitcher should be taught to pitch to the entire plate and six inches off the plate inside or outside. The constant threat of facing the inside fastball provokes fear in hit- ters. It is simply not possible to hit effectively when batters are not relaxed .
Batters fear looking bad when at the plate.
This is especially true when the pitcher challenges them and they either strike out or weakly hit the ball. A pitcher who constantly challenges with the inside fastball will create ten- sion as hitters don't want pitchers to throw the ball past them. A hitter must extend his arms to hit the ball hard. The inside pitch forces the hitter to be quicker than the outside pitch as the ball must be hit out in front with the bat at a 45 degree angle. This increases the pitcher's veloci- ty two or three miles.