Preparing 9yo for 12u

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Jul 20, 2013
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Aloha! My DD just turned 9 in May and we're moving up to 12u with our current team for a bunch of reasons. My heart wants to keep her down but our club just can't get the girls to fill a 10u team. Move teams you suggest? We've looked around and the teams just aren't at our level - we won our state champs and a current tournament in Div A. The next closest team that compares is nearly an hour half each way from us and it's just undoable. On top of that, in Hawaii moving teams constantly is very frowned upon, especially for us because it'll be temporary for a season so there could be backlash and DD won't get game reps anyway, even though she's beast compared to players her age. Right now she's the youngest, 2 years behind everyone on our team but her arm is great and we've worked with Howard Kobata. Also got his DVD's so DD needs mental maturing but physically she's surprising me and other coaches lately.

So...I want my DD to get ready for the speed when it comes to batting. She started slapping last October, so less than a year. Only recently when we traveled to Reno for the Triple Crown tournament has she actually swung her bat, got on base, etc. It looks like she's hit a turning point (thank goodness!), where I need to find a niche for her.

Out of 12 girls on our team, only 2 can bunt. Our head coach is used to having his entire team bunt good and it's hurt us in a few games where we needed to lay down the bunt but couldn't execute. So, naturally I want to fill that gap - my DD is actually showing some very good progress with slap bunting recently.

Situation: I need a pitching machine to replicate speed of 12u (we played up for spring season so I have an idea of how fast pitches arrive) but can't afford a generator, machine, and dimpled balls.

Question: I am going to buy the Sling Pitcher (I know it looks so damn stupid) due to budget restrictions. BUT...instead of Jugs Lite Flight balls...I was thinking to use tennis balls? I mean, the tennis balls are light enough so the speed is quicker than a regular 12inch softball, plus it's a smaller target so it will require more concentration. Plus I can have DD crank them into the backstop fence with no harm to the field/infrastructure (Our club has permit to this field).

Softball And Baseball Pitching Machines | By Sling Pitcher

Am I thinking about this the wrong way? I've been "coaching" for about 3 years, not head coach, but I know a bit. Hey, I have an ASA card - that makes it all good right??? Lol. :cool:

She's been slapping about 10 months and is just coming out of her scared, won't swing stage. Past tourney head coach subbed her in and she slapped a hard one at 3rd and led off to create bases loaded. Her bunt is also developing much better than 90% of our 11yo girls.
 
Jul 20, 2013
71
8
I am so sorry for the "wall of text", I tend to type a lot (also talk a lot). But thank you for any input that is offered!
 
Feb 7, 2013
3,188
48
You can pitch to her behind a screen from say 20 feet to replicate the reaction time for hitting, bunting etc. from 40feet. Also because you are so close to the batter you can really work the ball inside, outside, up, down and place it to any location you want. At 12u she will be using real leather 12 inch softballs so make sure to practice with them. IMO pitching machines are overrated and much prefer T work and front toss mentioned above.
 

redhotcoach

Out on good behavior
May 8, 2009
4,706
38
From what I remember, the plate being back 5 feet farther was a huge plus for my hitters. The hitter-pitcher battle shifted to advantage hitters. Sure the girls pitched a bit faster, but girls that didn't well at 10u were all of a sudden doing ok.
 
Jul 20, 2013
71
8
thanks for the feedback guys. I think I'm going to go with the Sling Pitcher because it can really be more accurate and from what I've seen you have control over inside, outside, high, low, and supposedly it can throw a change up. I can actually pitch a pretty good ball based on trying to teach DD internal rotation from reading a lot of Board Member's threads but just there's times where I have a completely off week and the quality reps are just nowhere to be found!

Plus, I *may* be taking over a 10u team for our club if God/Buddha/whoever grants me the gift of 12 girls this coming Sunday. So having a manual machine is the next best thing. Also, I (cough cough) cannot hit balls into the outfield with a bat. I never grew up playing baseball...I was a football and soccer player. With all the accessories the Sling Pitcher provides it may just alleviate the immense amounts of shame I feel when trying to crack balls into the outfield standing at home. In field, no problem...outfield, I ask another coach to do it, haha.

But thank you again for all that chimed in, I really appreciate it.
 

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