How do I increase spin rate?
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I am with you 100%.
My personal observation of two diametrically opposed viewpoints:
Scenario A
0-2 count, pitch called is a curveball outside, 4 balls off.
Pitch has no movement, is fat down middle but gets a swinging 3rd strike.
HC/Bucket Dad/Fans - GREAT PITCH!!! SUSIE ROCKS!!!
PC - Not your best work. What happened?
Scenario B
0-2 count, pitch called is a curveball outside, 4 balls off.
Pitch is dead on, batter throws hands out almost falls on home plate and pops up behind 1st base in no-mans land for a single.
HC/Bucket Dad/Fans - That was a terrible pitch. Can't she hit her spots? Why are they leaving her in?
PC - She threw a great pitch. Sometimes great pitches get hit.
IMO this is often caused by a phenomenon which I refer to as Bucket Syndrome. This is where Susie throws to someone on a bucket day after day. If the pitch has some movement and is a strike, then it is a good pitch. Mechanics are of no concern. All that matters is the "results" - strikes. Susie in an effort to please forgets about mechanics and adjusts, contorting her body in an effort to throw strikes and get "results". Unfortunately to be an elite player it is NOT what you do, but how you do it. Velocity and control are a product of an unrelenting pursuit of great mechanics and proper technique. Unfortunately in many environments that is discouraged in favor of "results".
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WOW!!! You said some great things, Javasource!
"... and WORK ETHIC is learned." And relatively few there are who learn it.
"Greatness is reserved for those that aspire to do more than just participate or 'play'." My own DD does not aspire to do more than just participate. Therefore, one of my students, who is far less athletic, is passing her by. And, it's because of her work ethic and desire.
"Motivating a teenager is tough enough as is... but becomes doable if they have a good work ethic instilled at an early age." Motivating a teenager who didn't learn work ethic at an early age is next to impossible.
Great post, Javasource!
"... and WORK ETHIC is learned." And relatively few there are who learn it.
"Greatness is reserved for those that aspire to do more than just participate or 'play'." My own DD does not aspire to do more than just participate. Therefore, one of my students, who is far less athletic, is passing her by. And, it's because of her work ethic and desire.
"Motivating a teenager is tough enough as is... but becomes doable if they have a good work ethic instilled at an early age." Motivating a teenager who didn't learn work ethic at an early age is next to impossible.
Great post, Javasource!
- Oct 22, 2009
- 1,779
- 0
As a PC my main things I obsess with over my pitchers are Mechanics and Control.
As those improve and I introduce breaking pitches, "spin" becomes another things I obsess about "a little
".
It's a component of pitching that fascinates me and I want my students to feel the same I do.
We do spend a lot of time in class spinning.
I encourage all my pitchers to be in the 20's by high school.
In high school I ask them to work hard to get to the magical 100.--All 4 spins added together to equal 100.
I have one at 110 right now, and another 2 hard workers at 96 & 91.
The highest spin is a rise at 29.3.
In class what we do is a lot of what I call "Super Spins". Basically off speed 1/2 step pitches with main focus on spin only. I will also use a lighter ball sometimes, which forces them to take the throw out of the pitch and put the spin in it. I'll use buckets as visuals to pitch into to help them see the spin and the location of the pitch.
I also take the fear away and allow them to just spin and not harp on location/speed. We end up training that back as the spin improves.
You can't make a kid spin well if they are not willing to put the time into it. Constant encouragement is and a willing participant is the best you can do.
As those improve and I introduce breaking pitches, "spin" becomes another things I obsess about "a little
".It's a component of pitching that fascinates me and I want my students to feel the same I do.
We do spend a lot of time in class spinning.
I encourage all my pitchers to be in the 20's by high school.
In high school I ask them to work hard to get to the magical 100.--All 4 spins added together to equal 100.
I have one at 110 right now, and another 2 hard workers at 96 & 91.
The highest spin is a rise at 29.3.
In class what we do is a lot of what I call "Super Spins". Basically off speed 1/2 step pitches with main focus on spin only. I will also use a lighter ball sometimes, which forces them to take the throw out of the pitch and put the spin in it. I'll use buckets as visuals to pitch into to help them see the spin and the location of the pitch.
I also take the fear away and allow them to just spin and not harp on location/speed. We end up training that back as the spin improves.
You can't make a kid spin well if they are not willing to put the time into it. Constant encouragement is and a willing participant is the best you can do.
- Feb 7, 2013
- 3,188
- 48
Jojo - how are you measuring spin rate? With a Revfire? Just wondering if it's time to breakdown and buy one now that DD is incorporating more spin pitches into the mix?
javasource
6-4-3 = 2
They really are worth the investment.
Had a young lady entering 8th grade visit this last week, and with a few tweaks, she was spinning beautifully. I was blown away by her spin of 27+rps... a very high rate for someone that age. It really helped validate the hard work that they've put in.
Had a young lady entering 8th grade visit this last week, and with a few tweaks, she was spinning beautifully. I was blown away by her spin of 27+rps... a very high rate for someone that age. It really helped validate the hard work that they've put in.
- Jul 14, 2008
- 1,798
- 63
Talk about "throwing crap against the wall and see what sticks"............Pun intended......
Listen to Java........He's a pitching coach........
The only ball on a stick you should have for young kids is called a "Tootse Pop"........
As a PC my main things I obsess with over my pitchers are Mechanics and Control.
As those improve and I introduce breaking pitches, "spin" becomes another things I obsess about "a little
It's a component of pitching that fascinates me and I want my students to feel the same I do.
We do spend a lot of time in class spinning.
I encourage all my pitchers to be in the 20's by high school.
In high school I ask them to work hard to get to the magical 100.--All 4 spins added together to equal 100.
I have one at 110 right now, and another 2 hard workers at 96 & 91.
The highest spin is a rise at 29.3.
In class what we do is a lot of what I call "Super Spins". Basically off speed 1/2 step pitches with main focus on spin only. I will also use a lighter ball sometimes, which forces them to take the throw out of the pitch and put the spin in it. I'll use buckets as visuals to pitch into to help them see the spin and the location of the pitch.
I also take the fear away and allow them to just spin and not harp on location/speed. We end up training that back as the spin improves.
You can't make a kid spin well if they are not willing to put the time into it. Constant encouragement is and a willing participant is the best you can do.
Jojo,
Pls elaborate on pitching into the buckets? How do u place them? R the buckets just to have something to throw at?
How much time do u spend on spins? How do u do it so that your pitcher doesn't get bore? I would like to try this for at least 30 mins in a 1 hour lesson.
Pls give me some ideas.
Thanks!
BM
I love the chocolate ones!!!!! My personal favorite!
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- Feb 7, 2013
- 3,188
- 48
I was afraid of that answer......time to open up the wallet I guess?
How about the two balls on a stick advocated by BH for developing rise ball spins?
JJsqueeze
Dad, Husband....legend
open up that wallet RT...you will not regret it. I know our DDs are around the same age and both are starting on more spins, it is invaluable during this time IMO. Since DD does not have her axis straight yet, it helps to have it running in the background so that when she throws that 1 in 20 pitch with a good spin axis you can see the rate and get a handle on how fast the spins are when she throws a pitch right. It also helps detect flaws when the spin rate is lower than normal and give you feedback when she is running smooth. Couple the Revfire feedback with being on the bucket and seeing the breaks, you can benchmark when a pitch will be game ready.
