Teaching your DD to throw the right pitch.

DFP has given many of us great knowledge on the mechanics of pitching but I think a lot of us want to know when to throw that certain pitch. Here are some examples

1. How to setup a batter for the next pitch or next at bat.
2. The position of the batters hands,legs etc.
3. How the batter is fouling the ball example RHB fouling to the left.

Please don't make this post a bitching session I am sure many people have different philosophy.

Here are just a few basic thoughts I have. They do not go into detail but a few basic ideas based on my coaching and I have called a bunch of games.

1. Be ahead in the count
2. Don't give in and throw it down the middle
3. Work hard down in the line up. Don't assume they are an easier out. They can burn you.
4. Your change up is not just an out pitch, it is also a set up pitch
5. If a pitch is really working stick with it until they adjust
6. Up 0-2? Don't throw it so far out of he strike zone it has no chance

Those are a few simple ideas to think about.

Best back-to-back combo I have witnessed is CU then RB,.......killer.

DD and I typically end all of our practice sessions together, playing scenarios. We tallk strategy a lot.
She has developed a pretty good sense on how to use her pitches effectively.

What you cannot prepare for or control, is the coach calling pitches during games.

lhowser said:

Here are just a few basic thoughts I have. They do not go into detail but a few basic ideas based on my coaching and I have called a bunch of games.

1. Be ahead in the count
2. Don't give in and throw it down the middle
3. Work hard down in the line up. Don't assume they are an easier out. They can burn you.
4. Your change up is not just an out pitch, it is also a set up pitch
5. If a pitch is really working stick with it until they adjust
6. Up 0-2? Don't throw it so far out of he strike zone it has no chance

Those are a few simple ideas to think about.

Click to expand...

Great points to reiterate!
Now if only coaches who are expert pitch callers could get #6 into their head. 6 balls off the plate? Really?

Here is an interesting and effective sequence:

Change, change, drop/curve


Always been a fan of:
1) low and in (in-cut/fb)
2) high and in (rise)
3) low and in (in-cut/fb)
if needed...
4) curve

Being that changes are thrown low and out...

1) fb in
2) change
3) curve
4) repeat

javasource said:

Here is an interesting and effective sequence:

Change, change, drop/curve

Always been a fan of:
1) low and in (in-cut/fb)
2) high and in (rise)
3) low and in (in-cut/fb)
if needed...
4) curve

Being that changes are thrown low and out...

1) fb in
2) change
3) curve
4) repeat

Click to expand...

I've never understood the mindset that certain pitches can only be thrown in a particular location or in specific sequential order. It's like using only some of the tools in your tool box. IMO, an inside change (not over the plate) is more effective pitch than an outside change and results in more swings and misses or foul balls. Most hitters can't lay off it and even rarer are those that can hit it fair.

Greenmonsters said:

I've never understood the mindset that certain pitches can only be thrown in a particular location or in specific sequential order. It's like using only some of the tools in your tool box. IMO, an inside change (not over the plate) is more effective pitch than an outside change and results in more swings and misses or foul balls. Most hitters can't lay off it and even rarer are those that can hit it fair.

Click to expand...

With you 100%, a 225 ft foul ball is still a strike! When dd was younger, 10-14, I liked first pitch of the game to be cu. would also throw it with full count. When they knew pitchers had no fear throwing the change at anytime it really kept them guessing. Heck in ASA Golds last summer coach called 3 straight changes for 3 strikes for last out of an inning. It seems some of the better sticks are suckered with change ups early in the count or thrown inside. They are reasoning which pitch is going to be thrown next, mainly based on what their coaches are teaching them to expect. Ahead of a fastball, expect off speed and outside. Give them an inside of speed and watch them pull it behind themselves. So many pitch combinations there are no wrong or right. All depends on batter, pitchers, and the situation. No different than telling a kid to watch a 3-0 pitch every time. There are some kids I want to swing away and some to watch.

Greenmonsters said:

I've never understood the mindset that certain pitches can only be thrown in a particular location or in specific sequential order. It's like using only some of the tools in your tool box. IMO, an inside change (not over the plate) is more effective pitch than an outside change and results in more swings and misses or foul balls. Most hitters can't lay off it and even rarer are those that can hit it fair.

Click to expand...

I get what you're saying Green... and I'm in no way saying that they must be in this order... or they must be this location. These are just a few sample scenarios that can be pretty effective.

However...

In lieu of your comment on the change... if you're throwing a change you're doing so to disrupt timing, right?
Would you agree that the batter would be ahead of the pitch...
... and that the center of the bat will have already traveled over the center of the plate?
And if you agree to that... would you agree that the meat of the bat... would more effectively meet the ball if it was located inside - as 'inside' is the last place it travels?

Off-speed pitches give the pitcher a timing advantage over the hitter... throwing off-speed inside, gives the advantage back to the hitter, giving the center of their bat, the best opportunity to contact the ball. This creates what I call, "head turners". Here are a few examples. The green circle is the location of the pitch. These are all change-ups/off-speed... and they are all on the inside... not over the plate... especially the second one. If there was sound, you'd hear, "Yard!"

Count: 2B-2S-1out, runner on 1st, 54mph


Count: 1B-2S-1out, game out of hand, 44mph


Count: 1B-2S-1out, runners on 1st & 2nd, 52mph, Up by two... or was...


I'll keep my change-ups low and out the majority of the time.

Here's another... I put together 4 gifs, forgetting about the 3 image limit on here...

Count: 1B, 1S, 1out, 43mph... this batter yanks this pitch into the parking lot.


Oh yeah... I COMPLETELY disagree with not calling a drop or curve low... in favor of preventing a by-ball to the catcher... whether there is a runner in scoring position or not. This sounds like rec ball coaching, no offense. Develop the catcher, or don't play them. A pitcher spending hundreds of hours learning to place a ball... should throw to a catcher that has learned to 'catch' the ball.

Not trying to piss anyone off... just an opinion!!!