rise ball or drop ball?

Also agree with wndmllr n cheese on the rise.lots of pitchers throw a bullet spin pitch that starts at low point A to high point B.nickname for that one is the 'redneck rise'. Can get results at high school level n decent results at showcase level but disciplined college hitters or college bound hitters will lay off the chest high stuff n wait till its at the belly button, then its 2 and 3 baggers n some 230's ! With you on the changeup too or offspeed.I think that pitch should be establised at least by 12u . Very effective pitch at any level including college. tarin mowatt lived off that pitch against tennessee in the world series a couple of years ago.

 

Bullet Spin = Bad news for pitcher

This is the reason most girls can't throw fastballs effectively. If you develop a fastball with 12-6 spin you've got a real weapon. It will have movement (it only needs to move a couple of inches) and that movement will be down. Remember the greatest major league closer of all time essentially throws one pitch . . . . the fast ball. I know it's not a 12-6 deal (baseball's different) but if you watch Rivera's pitch it doesn't move much but does so very late. Same with the 12-6 fastball thrown in the middle '60's . . . very difficult to hit anywhere but into the ground. If you choose to pitch this way you need to be good fielder as you will have more than your share of 'come backers'.

 

Agree

Most pitching coaches teach the drop after the fastball and change. There is a misconception that the peel is safer than 'hand in pocket'. Both pose biomechanical risks. As pointed out the 'hand in pocket' or 'over the top' can wreck the shoulder. However, the peel, even when thrown correctly, can wreak havoc with the lower arm.

I never let my DD throw more than three breaking pitches in a row without throwing her fastball. In fact, the typical workout was about 40% fastballs. Even if your one of those Dads who brags "my DD never throws a fastball in a game" (wrong-headed concept IMHO) she needs to throw them in workouts. Remember, all solid mechanics start with fastball. If the mechanics aren't right for it then there's little hope that anything else will be correct.

 

'redneck rise'

I saw the perfect example of this fall. A pitcher who had been very successful in HS throwing hard and up unable to get college batters to swing at the same pitch.

 

T Mowatt change

Mowatt throws the flip change. Lots of people teach it, very few girls ever perfect it. For this reason I suggest that if you're trying to learn the flip change also work on something easier. You can take speed off any pitch by simple pushing the ball deep in the hand thereby locking out the wrist. You can do the same thing by 'knuckling up' on a pitch but be careful that you have at least two knuckle grip pitches. Once you get to college, the batters with the help of 3rd base coach, will read this every time.

 

Good idea on not trowing too many breaking pitches in a row.I have my dd throw enough in row to get the feel of the release n body position then alternate opposite pitches, like drop then rise, curve n screw, fastball n change. always taking a 3-5 minute break every 30 pitches, or come up close n do spins for a few minutes then go back n throw. Cheri Kemp said pitching is a sprint not a marathon. How true that is. My dd was glad to hear her say that! I humbly had to change my approach to pitching practice!!!!!

 

Good idea on not trowing too many breaking pitches in a row.I have my dd throw enough in row to get the feel of the release n body position then alternate opposite pitches, like drop then rise, curve n screw, fastball n change. always taking a 3-5 minute break every 30 pitches, or come up close n do spins for a few minutes then go back n throw. Cheri Kemp said pitching is a sprint not a marathon. How true that is. My dd was glad to hear her say that! I humbly had to change my approach to pitching practice!!!!!

 

Agree 100%

We never threw more than 100 'real pitches' in any single workout and she rarely threw more that 4 days per week until college. The myth that softball pitchers can should be able throw 100's of pitches a week "if their mechanics are correct" is just that, a myth. One reason for that approach is that a softball pitcher's arm only needs to last until age 22. If there were million dollar signing bonuses and 10 -15 year careers awaiting the softball girls the approach to training would be much different. Quality of practice is far more important than quantity.

 

Interesting point.

 

Counting a lesson with her pitching instructer, 3 times a week in the offseason is what we shoot for.Trying to learn a couple of new pitches this offseason. Oh and always incorperate a spin party in the living room floor in between pitching days!! hadnt broke nothing yet! just up close stuff for the wrist. I would hate to have to sleep in the garage!! No heat