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Feb 20, 2015
643
0
illinois
DD is a sophemore and hasn't really ever been a pitcher. We messed around with it when she was 12-13 and she did go to a couple of months worth of lessons back then. She has messed around from time to time at practices, but never really for long periods of time. Well, her travel coach remembers that from back in the day, and had her pitch in practice a few times this past winter. She hasn't thrown a pitch at all in about a month and a half. Last night, one of her high school pitchers was gone. The other was pitching and started complaining about her arm, so coach says..."anyone else out here that has pitched before?" So, DD walks to the circle from her shortstop position.....two innings of work, NO HITS, NO runs scored, and four strikeouts.
It was a JV game, but proud of her still.
 
Feb 20, 2015
643
0
illinois
Well, that was JV....just found out from coach that one girl that was at doctor appt last night is out for the season with a hip injury. Another girl that is usually a JV only pitcher is out with elbow pain. We have a three game tourny this weekend. So DD will be pitching some varsity this weekend weather she is ready or not. I expect her to get hammered!!! She has a fast ball with natural drop on it, and knows how to throw a changeup, but doesn't pitch near enough to be able to control it. She has experimented with a curve in the past. Probably won't be pretty.
 
Apr 25, 2010
772
0
Now watch, she'll pitch like she's a D1 prospect...lol. Good luck to her! And good luck to you (pitcher parent nerves stink).
 
Nov 2, 2015
192
16
Well, that was JV....just found out from coach that one girl that was at doctor appt last night is out for the season with a hip injury. Another girl that is usually a JV only pitcher is out with elbow pain. We have a three game tourny this weekend. So DD will be pitching some varsity this weekend weather she is ready or not. I expect her to get hammered!!! She has a fast ball with natural drop on it, and knows how to throw a changeup, but doesn't pitch near enough to be able to control it. She has experimented with a curve in the past. Probably won't be pretty.

My advise....Don't give the big sticks anything to hit. Junk, and balls in the dirt. Make them chase. If they walk, ok. Just hope the lesser hitters ground into some double-plays!
 
Feb 4, 2015
641
28
Massachusetts
Good for her! Sounds like the type of kid who will have fun and enjoy the challenge. Best of luck.

Not trying to turn this into a sermon, but these are the things I love about what softball teaches. Fast forward to her career in 10 years and the boss asks if anyone wants to try to lead this project, 'sure boss, I'll give it a shot!" Succeed or fail, she's already won!
 
May 7, 2008
8,506
48
Tucson
Have her pitch normally and then, slower and slower. I don't know if you are out in the heat, but we are. We have 4 games and I am limiting the pitchers to 1 warm up, instead of 5, between innings.
 
Feb 20, 2015
643
0
illinois
Have her pitch normally and then, slower and slower. I don't know if you are out in the heat, but we are. We have 4 games and I am limiting the pitchers to 1 warm up, instead of 5, between innings.

Hasn't been warm yet. Lots of cooler windy weather so far this year. Suppose to be some lower 70s I think this week, but no heat yet.

Thanks everyone for the advise. I didn't have much advise for her, but about the same as mentioned by some above. I told her to just move the ball around, and change speeds some. The poor kid really doesn't have enough pitching experience to be able to do much. I was surprised last night that she could even throw a strike, let alone strike out 4. Ill update Monday on how it goes.
 
Feb 20, 2015
643
0
illinois
Well, went about how I expected lol. Only good news was it was another girl that took the brunt of most of the runs. There was a senior that used to pitch back in her younger days that wanted to pitch so she started the game. She had slow, slower, and even slower as her three pitches so it didn't take long for the other team to start t-ing off. We got short gamed like 15-1 (not sure final score, lost count of the other teams score)

DD did come in and pitched for 2 1/3 innings. Gave up 4 or 5 runs. Didn't do too bad for not really being a pitcher. She did give up one of the longest monster home runs I have ever seen a girl hit, so she has that going for her lol. She was up 1 ball, and 2 strikes and grooved one down the middle that some girl launched over the center field fence. I asked her about it later. It was suppose to be an outside fastball that she put right down the middle of the plate. Suppose to have a game tonight, but will probably be rained out.
 

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