UNCW Softball

cfastpitch44 · Oct 9, 2008 at 9:24 PM

Dukedog4 said: ↑

Thanks. The key to an effective fastball is to throw it with a 12/6 spin. This makes it very "heavy" even when you miss high. The problem is many kids throw a "bullet" spin FB that's almost impossible to get down and very "light". I think part of the problem begins when dad sets on the bucket with the target chest high. Essentially every pitch that hits that target is a 'meatball'. If Dad's on the bucket (and most are) the target for every pitch, except the rise, needs to be between his knees. This reinforces the proper release point. Same thing for drills. Always throw to the low target to reinforce the release point. Tough on Dad's back but will pay huge dividends in the long run.

Amazingly, my DD NEVER surrendered a HR in HS or TB and she pitched 4A HS and against some pretty good TB teams. Of course this changed quickly in college but she still has 3:1 ground out to fly out ratio throwing 40-70% fastballs depending on the game. You will not set many strikeout records this way (although she holds all of them at her school) but you can win at the highest levels. It's very tough to score if the pitcher limits walks and only surrenders singles.

Too many HS pitchers fall in love with the 'Rise Ball' as most HS hitters can't lay off a ball in the eyes. When these same pitchers move to college the hitters leave it alone and when the pithers has to come down bad things happen.

If you can locate the fastball at 64/66 mph, consistently throw one breaking pitch both on and off the plate and have an effective change up you can be a successful D1 pitcher. There are too many "six pitch pitchers" who can't do any well enough.
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The real key here is the 64 to 66 down in the zone. Very elite group that can meet these numbers.

marlinfan1 · Oct 9, 2008 at 9:37 PM

Whole different deal...as you say

Dukedog4 said: ↑

The coaches have chosen to only play one DH the fall. Only needed to find a SS and they recruited a dandy out of MASS. She played with UNCW pitcher Aditays on the Raiders. We played this past weekend losing to UVA 7-4 in game one and then destroying them 15-1 in game two.

My daughter pitched game two. Threw 60% fastballs (bicep tendon is tweaked a bit so no drop or changes which she throws off her drop). Eight K's in five innings. The key thing though is there were no fly balls hit against her. I'm not sure how she does this but girls simply can't the ball in the air off her. She's living proof of C Kempf's belief that the fastball is the most under-utilized pitch in the game.

I know it's not baseball but look at Mariano Rivera. The hitters know what's coming (90% fastballs) and still can't hit it. The key is simple location, location, location. Pitching this way may not be 'fancy' but is sure makes life simpler! It's especially effective for a 'cold weather team'. Many girls (especially those who 'knuckle up') find that its tougher to make the breaking stuff work one cold winter and spring days. Better to be able 'to grip and rip it'.
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....as a big time Yankee fan, I hate to say that Mariano gets rocked too.
Congrats to your DD on her remarkable stats of never giving up a HR in HS and TB. Even though lots of folks might not get the importance of such a stat, many others of us do.
It means that the pitcher is controlling the batter.
Obviously you Duke are proud, and damn well should be, and I figure that you, as Dad, have approached teaching in a "pitcher/defense" type of scenario.
I've taught my kids to "try" to dictate a pitch as a batter.
Time will tell if that idea works.

...and fastball-location????....if it does not have movement, BAM!

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