<P> A pitcher will push off the rubber with his foot in order to gain velocity toward home plate when pitching . In addition , a higher mound generally favors the pitcher . With the height advantage , the pitcher gains more leverage and can put more downward velocity on the ball , making it more difficult for the batter to strike the ball squarely with the bat . The lowering of the mound in 1969 was intended to `` increase the batting '' once again , as pitching had become increasingly dominant , reaching its peak the prior year ; 1968 is known among baseball historians as `` The Year of the Pitcher '' . This restrictive rule apparently did its job , contributing to the hitting surge of modern baseball . </P>
<P> A pitcher will push off the rubber with his foot in order to gain velocity toward home plate when pitching . In addition , a higher mound generally favors the pitcher . With the height advantage , the pitcher gains more leverage and can put more downward velocity on the ball , making it more difficult for the batter to strike the ball squarely with the bat . The lowering of the mound in 1969 was intended to `` increase the batting '' once again , as pitching had become increasingly dominant , reaching its peak the prior year ; 1968 is known among baseball historians as `` The Year of the Pitcher '' . This restrictive rule apparently did its job , contributing to the hitting surge of modern baseball . </P>
when did they lower the pitcher 's mound
when did they lower the pitcher 's mound
1969
1969