What pitch location means
Pitch location is the spot where the ball crosses home plate. Tracking systems measure it side to side from the middle of the plate and up and down from the ground. Home plate is 17 inches wide. A pitch counts as a strike if any part of the ball touches the zone, so the real target for a baseball is closer to 20 inches wide. The height of the zone depends on the hitter's size and stance.
One pitch location tells you very little. The value comes from many pitches. Location data shows your strike rate, how often you miss high or arm side, and whether your misses are close or wild. Coaches separate control from command. Control is the ability to throw strikes. Command is the ability to hit a specific spot, like the low-away corner. Good pitchers need both, and location data tracks both.
Location matters as much as raw stuff. A great pitch in the middle of the zone can still get hit hard, and an average pitch on the corner often gets an out. Pitchers who get ahead in the count, especially with a first-pitch strike, give up fewer hits and walks. Tracking location over time shows whether your misses are getting smaller and whether fatigue is pulling pitches up or out of the zone.
Video explanation
Jake Fishman, PitchLab’s co-founder and CEO, pitched in the major leagues for the Miami Marlins. Here he explains pitch location and what it means for your pitching.
What affects pitch location
Release timing
Tiny differences in when the ball leaves the hand become big misses at the plate. Consistent timing is the base of good command.
Balance and direction
A stride that lands off line or a body that falls off to one side pulls pitches arm side or glove side. Repeatable mechanics lead to repeatable location.
Fatigue
As pitchers tire, arm slot and release point often drift. Misses tend to creep up in the zone late in an outing.
Pitch movement
Pitches with a lot of break start well away from where they finish, which makes them harder to aim. Many pitchers command their fastball better than their breaking ball.
A specific target
Aiming at a precise spot on every pitch gives the body something clear to hit. Misses around a small target are usually smaller.
What’s a good pitch location?
| Stat | Average | Good | Great | Excellent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strike % | 62 | 65 | 67 | 70+ |
| First-pitch strike % | 58 | 62 | 66 | 70+ |
| Zone % | 47 | 50 | 52 | 55+ |
| Walks per 9 innings (BB/9)Lower is better | 4.0 | 3.2 | 2.5 | <2 |
Averages sit between college and MLB levels, and high school rates usually run a few points lower. Zone % counts only pitches inside the zone, so it runs lower than strike %, which also counts swings, fouls, and balls in play.
How PitchLab measures it
PitchLab shows where every pitch crosses the zone, next to its velocity and movement, plus spin on baseball pitches. Trends across sessions show whether your location is getting tighter over time.
Pitch location FAQs
How do you track pitch location with your phone?
Set an iPhone 12 or newer on a tripod about 2 ft behind the pitcher, facing home plate, and start a session in PitchLab. PitchLab shows where every pitch crosses the zone, next to its velocity and movement.
Is there an app that tracks pitch location?
Yes. PitchLab tracks where every pitch crosses the zone with just an iPhone, and breaks your session down by in-zone, competitive, and non-competitive pitches. PitchLab is free to start.
What’s the best app for improving command?
The best app for command shows where every pitch landed, for every pitch type, and tracks it across sessions so you can see your location tighten. PitchLab does this with an iPhone, with video of every throw.
What is a good strike percentage for a pitcher?
MLB pitchers average about 64% strikes. At the high school and college level, about 60% is a solid baseline, 65% is good, and 70% or higher is excellent. Strike percentage counts called strikes, swinging strikes, fouls, and balls in play.
What is a good first-pitch strike percentage?
MLB pitchers throw a first-pitch strike about 60% of the time. Many high school and college coaches set a goal of 65% or higher. Getting to 0-1 matters because hitters do much worse after falling behind in the count.
What is the difference between control and command?
Control is the ability to throw strikes. Command is the ability to put the ball in a specific spot, like the low-away corner or just off the plate. A pitcher can have good control and poor command by throwing lots of strikes over the middle. Location data helps you track both.
How does PitchLab track pitch location?
PitchLab uses an iPhone on a tripod set about 2 feet behind the pitcher, facing home plate. From that view it reports where each pitch crosses the zone, along with velocity and movement, plus spin on baseball pitches. Trends across sessions let you follow your command over time.
