Whats the next pitch to learn?

[video=youtube_share;8GDiY1thSVc]http://youtu.be/8GDiY1thSVc[/video]
Im not sure if the individualized type of mechanic lends itself to a certain type of pitch but i thnk it may be time to start working on one. She just turned 12, hits spots 90% of the time, controls the change up 90% of the time while taking 10 mph off and is very eager to start learning some type of "movement pitch". Im hesitant to introduce her to anything due to the fear of altering anything with her mechanics but i know it is inevitable that she must learn a new pitch. Her spin rates on the rev fire are consistently 17-18 rps and is 1-7. Any suggestions on a new pitch or just keep her with the fastball and changeup for now? This is new territory for us and welcome the advice of the pitching gurus! Thank you.

Since she is a RHP, I'd seriously look into the drop. Once you get that comfortable, turn the axis and try to get it to curve as a "drop curve". She needs something moving away from a RHB and if it can move on multiple planes, the better.

I second learning the drop curve. At higher levels this is a very effective pitch
once it is mastered. After getting the drop-work on something high in the zone.
A pitcher who can transition from drop curve to inside rise will control RHB at all levels

Boomers
Your DD's mechanics/posture are nearly perfect for a riseball right now.....but I think that may be premature. If she can get her upper torso to hinge at the waist to a near vertical posture after her landing foot plants she has about everything needed for a dropball. Don't need to change anything else.....this will raise her release point a little higher and thus she won't need as much upward release angle.....the two most important criteria for a dropball.
I would suggest she learn to spin the ball backwards like a riseball and maybe fiddle around from 15-20 feet with it......don't want to build in years of dropball muscle memory action before learning the riseball.
Remember, there are two primary body positions at time of release.....the one your DD has now for high pitches/riseball.....and the one I described for low pitches/dropballs. It is important to teach these at a young age......will you take a step backwards trying to accomplish this....possibly......she might only strike out 10 per game instead of 15 per game.....it is well worth the time spent as the DD gets older.

We have been playing around with the drop ball but to be honest i am struggling with the instruction of it. I tend to be more of a visual learner. Any suggestions on which pitchers to look at on the model pitchers thread or any good vids to watch? Rick, i totally get what you are meaning about posture and the result that should occur from it....im just having a had time relaying that to my DD. I think if she and i look at the correct way to achieve it, i think a lightbulb would come on. Really appreciate everyones input!

Here is the order my DD learned her pitches, although I am inclined to agree with others that a drop ball may be a better 3rd pitch to learn.

1) Fastball
2) Change
3) Curve
4) Drop
5) Screw
6) Rise

OK, just to clarify. If you are using IR and releasing the ball properly. Isnt that considered a drop for the fastball??

Like BH says in his videos. Why would you want to throw anything straight.

Also a thing i noticed in the video above is she is getting airborne. My DD does this as well when her push foot goes flat and she pushes up instead of out from the toes. Might be because she is not pitching off a mound.

Your DD has that "hard-over-the-top-IR-type" look where her fb probably already drops pretty good. (you will have to confirm that though).

I am fully in the camp that a righty pitching a drop-curve is not the best choice for a hopeful unhittable pitch. It is mentioned it moves on two planes. Yes but the two planes it moves on are the same movement planes of a right handed batter. Too easy for a rhb to adjust.

For a right-handed pitcher I believe it is going to be much more effective to go against the swing-plane movement of a right-handed batter. Screw or rise fall into this category. The might be more difficult to learn for a "hard-over-the-top-IR-type" pitcher but like you state,....if she wants to move on in the sport she will have to address it sooner or later.

I like what Hillhouse says: all you need is 1) drop; 2) change-up; and 3) riseball. Convert her fastball to a drop ball and start working on that riseball. Even if the riseball is a work in progress over the next couple of years, it can be effective in games because 12U batters have a hard time hitting a high pitch and it is a good set-up pitch for her drop or change-up.

She looks fantastic...nice work!

GOINGDEEP said:

Since she is a RHP, I'd seriously look into the drop. Once you get that comfortable, turn the axis and try to get it to curve as a "drop curve". She needs something moving away from a RHB and if it can move on multiple planes, the better.

Click to expand...

Ditto!!! Easy and effective.