PROBLEMS AS A PLAYER 

In my off-season workouts before Spring Training it wasn’t easy to find a throwing partner or capable catcher for bullpens and flat-ground work.  When a catcher was available it was hard for me to communicate where the target should be and the sequences I needed to practice. I always wondered whether my pitch command was getting better or worse as Spring Training approached.

PROBLEMS AS AN INSTRUCTOR 

I never had a legit pitching target other than two batting tees set up on each corner of the plate with a net behind.  I needed a frame of reference to aim at and talk about, zones inside and outside of the strike zone. Terminology was more simple and consistent with numbers compared to words.  I wanted hard data to show my guys that they were improving.  Giving lessons, I would always encourage pitchers to practice hitting spots before the next lesson, but they didn't have a target at home to practice with.

PROBLEMS AS A COACH 

My first year as the pitching coach of the Indiana University Southeast Grenadiers I rotated three freshman catchers.  The kids were hard workers, but they didn't have the knowledge or experience of a veteran catcher when it came to calling pitches and giving a target. As the year began I taught the pitchers and catchers the LoKator System, so when I called pitches from the dugout I knew the catchers mitt would be in the right place and our pitcher would be on the same page. 

CORRECTING THE PROBLEMS 

I always understood that pitching was much more than mechanics, velocity, and executing a pitch in a strike zone square.  So when my professional career began I started to gather and implement my own pitching experiences, instructional philosophies, and observations into a physical pitching target that eventually took shape as the LoKator. After the LoKator Target design had been patented I started work on the LoKator Bullpen App.  My goal is to give all pitchers the opportunity learn pitch sequences, track results, and compete against other pitchers.