A philosophy difference with pro vs. amateur pitchers

Our Red Land High School baseball team had a chance to listen to Mike Buddie speak about pitching. He said that when he really learned to pitch is when someone convinced him that the key to being a successful pitcher is getting the batter out of the batters box in 4 pitches or less. This speaks to the fact of not being afraid of contact. Many pitchers run deep counts because they are fearful of the batter hitting the ball hard that is thrown out over the plate.

Is this sound philosophy at amateur levels?

I think it is sound philosophy to not be afraid of contact. Being afraid of contact entices the base on balls and big innings. But, should an amateur pitcher be trying to get the batter out of the batters box in 4 pitches or less? I think an amateur pitcher who thinks like this is going to run into some trouble.

Here's why.

The higher you move up in professional baseball your teammates improve behind you. In pro baseball, your defenders simply have more speed, more arm strength and overall more ability. Attempting to involve them in the play seems like solid logic. However, at amateur levels the good players are not as plentiful. Usually, the pitcher and the catcher are the two best players. At least, two of the better players. Furthermore, the good high school pitcher can't help the fact that his good pitches don't get hit. I mean if you throw 84, 85 and no one can hit it you're going to run deep counts and strike batters out. i don't think this particular pitcher would want to think "contact" with the batter.

Let's discuss another very important point. At professional levels, the fields that players play on are dramatically different. The professional baseball field is well kept and ground balls that are hit- usually hold their line and bounce true. Not necessarily true with amateur baseball.

I know my high school players hung on every word that Mike said. Good thing too! Mike said some great things that definitely helped my program. However, I think it's important to understand some limitations that exist at lower levels of baseball.