The Art & Strategy of Calling Pitches

How to call the right pitches for pitcher's strengths, game situation, exploiting hitters' weakness, & use strategic sequencing to make your pitcher unhittable!

Wow this is amazing stuff. Just to think there is much more that guys like Ryan know.
I think it's absolutely wonderful how you guys wanted to be this extensive with this kind of knowledge.
Calling Games and Strategy is a game changer and will be a huge game changer for my program this coming season. How Ryan explains the true nature of the beast for calling games in baseball real time is cutting edge.
From explaining how there is no set way to call games, situations, rule of thumbs (my fav) and never giving in all will benefit both pitchers and catchers during games and of course the team.
There is enough great content for young baseball players to grasp and of course experience baseball players as well. For those young and older that might not grasp everything for the time being. They could always have it and store it as equity for future references for when they do.
The PDF files definitely help. You guys did such an outstanding job to say the least for informing baseball players. This is what's missing in the baseball community.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

- Irvin Bounds, Head Coach, Victor Valley College, and father of 12 year catcher

Your Instructor


Ryan Lavarnway, Catcher
Ryan Lavarnway, Catcher

Ryan Lavarnway, Catcher

Ryan Lavarnway is an experienced Major League catcher with 8 seasons in the Major Leagues

  • Ryan Lavarnway has played with the following MLB teams: Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles, Atlanta Braves, Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, and Miami Marlins
  • Lavarnway attended Yale University where he studied philosophy and played baseball for the Yale Bulldogs.
  • In 2007 he was named a Division 1 All-American after setting multiple single season records, and in 2008 he became the Ivy League's all-time career Home Run record holder.
  • Lavarnway was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 6th round of the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft.
  • Two-time Boston Red Sox Minor League Offensive Player of the Year
  • Rated by Baseball America best defensive catcher in the International league in 2012.
  • When Lavarnway made his Major League debut with the Boston Red Sox on August 18, 2011, he became the first player in MLB history to hit two Home Runs and throw out a runner in his first start as a catcher.
  • In 2013, Lavarnway earned a World Series title and ring with the Boston Red Sox.
  • 2019 - Lavarnway became the first player in history to hit 2 home runs in his debut game with the Cincinnati Reds
  • More recently, Lavarnway was a key member of Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic is 2016 and 2017, earning himself MVP of Pool A of the Tournament.

Calling pitches is a huge part of the catcher’s (and coach’s) job in crafting a win.

This module is all about knowing how to call the right pitches for pitchers' strengths, for the game situation, to exploit the hitters weakness, and to use strategic sequencing to help make your pitcher unhittable!

Essential Keys to effective pitch calling

  • The 3 mistakes that can wreck even the best pitch-calling plans
  • How to maximize the pitchers strengths without sacrificing good situational strategy
  • Key phrases to use with your pitcher to get him back on a good track - and WHEN to use them
  • 4 “Rules of Thumb” you can follow without being predictable
  • How to read hitters to know their weakness

Strategic pitch sequencing

  • The Dempster strategy for tempting the hitter
  • Breslow’s technique for keeping batter on his toes when facing him multiple times in a single game.
  • How to make your fastball look even faster to the hitter.
  • How to use changing eye level, perceived velocity, and angles to make pitches way more effective and difficult for a batter to hit

Situational Pitching

  • How situations affect pitch calling
  • The #1 situational mistake that gives batters a free hit
  • What to do when the batter is trying to advance a runner
  • Strategies to keep pitch counts low
  • Save your pitcher by knowing when to go for a ground ball vs when to try for a strike out
  • WARNING - The 4 situations where you need to avoid being predictable, because the other teams are looking for patterns on

AND MORE!


Course Curriculum


  The Art & Strategy of Calling Pitches
Available in days
days after you enroll

Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 30 days and we will give you a full refund.