How do I increase spin rate?

My favorite device is a striped softball....

Curiosity killed this cat years ago... and I made a double. The benefit is that it's cheap... so perhaps you give it a go. I know BH and RP use them... and they must have their reasons.

I can't say I love them or really spend all that much time throwing them... truthfully, I've never relied on it. I teach a rise and a curve with regulation softballs that are striped, as I know the spin I'm looking for and usually don't have a hard time getting a student to do that.

Perhaps they are good for at-home learners that can't get to a PC... dunno. My only thought... I've never seen a person throw a double with the same mechanics they throw a single... so that makes me scratch my head the most.

There was once a thread to the tune of "What's in your bag of tricks?" I have spent oodles of time getting creative, but only two of my "inventions" remain in my bag. So, it's not to say I don't have goodies... they are just basics. Not that you asked... but, the rest of the stuff in there is (depending on the clinic):

• 11 and 12 inch striped softballs
• a small football (for beginners)
• rubber plate (obvious)
• 100' measuring tape
• duck tape (for the parents)
• field marker spray can (for tagging bridges)
• a wiffle or two (atypical uses)
• Java noodle ball (patent pending... )
• an east coast version of the TVT (yeeeaah boyyy!)
• some cups (for beginners examples)
• tripod & camera
• revfire
• a clicker (shaping and chaining)
• a marker (as needed)
• resistance bands (few types)
• folder
• handheld tablet (scheduling and video review)
• some elastic bands (seldom used for beginners)
• harness (drive mechanics)
• nerf-type foam ball (lock it in)
• Small bat (bat drill and bucket dad enforcer)
• Regular bat (for hitting... duh)
• Regular glove & catchers glove
• extra pair of shins (mine are wearing thin)
• Chinese jumpropes (made in america... )
• pvc lengths (so many uses it's absurd)
• portable homeplate
• gyroball
• piece of a swimming noodle (to beat students with)
• ghetto pitching mat
• Starting blocks (running)
• floor mat (like a yoga mat)
• a stopwatch (various training items)
• medicine ball
• fitness ball
• wrist roller...

... and a thermos, full of java, I swear...

Oh yeah... the wife makes me bring a small first aid kit.

And that, folks, is how you take a thread off-topic!

TVT... Not gonna ask...

javasource said:

[*]some cups (for beginners examples)

Click to expand...

the bane of DD's existence!
she still talks about that damn cup and ball drill,
with both fear and loathing... (never been to 'Vegas)

If you look on youtube search for RevFire you will find several videos on the device. It can give you and ideal of weather you think the Revfire will benefit your DD.

Ken B said:

TVT... Not gonna ask...

Click to expand...

BoardMember's Terminal Velocity Trainer, of course!!! ChrisP and I very much approve of this device.. but we use it with some East Coast attitude, none of that Tewks throwin it down stuff... We call it "V2 TVT - East Coast"... and y'all better fear the bats we're developing out here!

Not a pitching device... for those that are curious... (hitting)

I really dig his bat drill, too (for pitching)... hence the small bat.

javasource said:

BoardMember's Terminal Velocity Trainer, of course!!! ChrisP and I very much approve of this device.. but we use it with some East Coast attitude, none of that Tewks throwin it down stuff... We call it "V2 TVT - East Coast"... and y'all better fear the bats we're developing out here!

Not a pitching device... for those that are curious... (hitting)

Click to expand...

Whew! Glad to clear that up!

sbcowboy said:

Hello DFP.

Just wanted to know what we can do to increase spin rate. Any drills or tricks?

I am think about buying a Revfire.

Thanks.

Click to expand...

We just got ours in the mail a few days ago, and took it out for a "spin" yesterday. So far we are loving it! It's like a game for dd to see if she can continue to get higher spin rates each pitch. We have a lot of work ahead of us as the numbers are lower than I would have expected, but that is why we got it! I think that I will stripe the balls though so I can see how the spins are coming in.

Also, I think this has been discussed before, but what is the thought on the speed readings? The speeds seemed a little lower than what we've seen on radar.

catchermom13 said:

We just got ours in the mail a few days ago, and took it out for a "spin" yesterday. So far we are loving it! It's like a game for dd to see if she can continue to get higher spin rates each pitch. We have a lot of work ahead of us as the numbers are lower than I would have expected, but that is why we got it! I think that I will stripe the balls though so I can see how the spins are coming in.

Also, I think this has been discussed before, but what is the thought on the speed readings? The speeds seemed a little lower than what we've seen on radar.

Click to expand...

speed readings will be different from a radar gun. RevFire speed is VERY distance dependent. there was a thread a while back about this. i use the RF speed as a relative marker since its readings will vary based on how far your DD strides off the plate, when she releases and when the ball is caught.

Spin is what it's really good for

Frisbee for better spin

One thing I noticed was that I was able to spin the ball, on the correct axis, almost out of the gate where as DD struggled mightily. I though about it for awhile and realized maybe it is because I played Frisbee so much growing up. Threw that disc every imaginable way. So I taught her to play Frisbee and throw it a few different ways, once she got the Frisbee she was able to get the pitches fairly quickly. Not sure if it helps with flexibility or what exactly but just a thought. YMMV
Mike S

I think anything that helps a kid understand what spin looks like, what it does and how to create it--is a good thing.