Beware of an over-reliance on gimmicks

You see them everywhere – in magazines, on websites, in YouTube videos and everywhere else fastpitch softball folks look for information. “They” are all the devices that promise to make your players better. I call them “gimmicks” because often times that’s how they’re presented. The impression you’re given is that for $29.95 (plus shipping & […]

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I like this article....I will be sure to pass it on to one of our Coach "Gadget" as we call him. He is on a younger team in our organization and my older girls run from him when he breaks out the box from the trunk.

I've gotten away from most. I just ordered some speed chains though; old habits die hard. Lol. One part of the article is a little too kind. At worst, these devices can be damaging. I have seen one particular device used to the point that the girls have ingrained a very bad swing.

Love this!! Played briefly for a coach whose daughter was a pitcher, therefore he was officially a pitching coach. He gave us a list of items to run out and buy to make her a better pitcher. Thank goodness we are not the "gimmick" buying type and our DD...just thought he was nuts, lol.

One other thing I didn't mention is sometimes these gadgets are better-suited to players who are a little further along than they are to beginners - which is the opposite of the way they're often marketed.

Love that name - Coach Gadget. That's hilarious, and I can picture that guy in my mind.

CoachBob, you're right about that. Especially for hitters. There are all kinds of things that will prevent you from getting the bat into the position it needs to be for a good hit.

And SBMom, be glad you had more sense than to go out and buy a bunch of stuff randomly. I actually find it's better to get started and pitch for a while, then determine which gadgets (if any) are needed.

Best gadget you can have as far as I'm concerned is a smartphone that shoots good video and an under $5 app to shoot it.