Qualifying a new pitching caoch

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Mar 20, 2012
131
16
Sacramento, CA
We are thinking of changing pitching coaches. DD has been with the same PC since she started pitching 8 years ago. She seems to be at a a platto and I think another set of eyes and some different ques a points of focus might be in order. She is not being taught HE, but her PC also doesn't stress some of the things we call IR.

Without going into a long dissertation on "Hello Ebow" and IR. (Terms people other than us don't seem to understand.) Or sending a bunch of links to slo-mo videos. What are a couple questions you could quickly ask to determine if a pitching coach understands what we are looking for?

The only thing I have come up with is ask:

"Explain how you teach a pitcher to 'whip'."

Then listen for the right ques.

Any other suggestions?
 

JJsqueeze

Dad, Husband....legend
Jul 5, 2013
5,436
38
safe in an undisclosed location
You are in Sacramento, I would jsut just contact BoardMember or Rich Balswick and see if they are taking new students and save the worry about making a good choice. You'l have to drive a little for lessons but it seems well worth it.
 
Aug 26, 2011
1,285
0
Houston, Texas
You are in Sacramento, I would jsut just contact BoardMember or Rich Balswick and see if they are taking new students and save the worry about making a good choice. You'l have to drive a little for lessons but it seems well worth it.

Wish we had that option for DD! We need a boardmember or rick pauly or java here in Houston, TX! But they would be booked solid!!
 
Mar 20, 2012
131
16
Sacramento, CA
Rich Balswick is south of us a little ways. I had no idea BoardMember is near by. We also have a lot of very high profile former players in the area who are much closer. If I can determine that what they teach is what I want, it would be more convenient.

It's just a little weird thinking about quizzing a former Olympic & Team USA pitcher on what she teaches, only to find out and try to explain to her she's not good enough to teach your DD...Whoa - how do I think I am?
 
Aug 30, 2014
77
8
Central Ohio
Our first and current coach in her first email reply to me straight up said she teaches IR style. about the second sentence in. Made it a real easy decision. Obviously there was more than that but boy was it nice seeing that since due to this website we knew what we were looking for. Maybe we got off lucky but either email or call them and start a conversation. Might be surprised and get your answer real easy.

Good luck.
 
Feb 3, 2010
5,752
113
Pac NW
BoardMember might be a touch closer, but with Balswick you can tack on a trip to Waterworld!!! Check with both. They might know of someone close to you that they'd recommend.
 
Last edited:
Feb 7, 2013
3,188
48
What are a couple questions you could quickly ask to determine if a pitching coach understands what we are looking for?

One question will shed much light on whether the pitching coach understands arm whip or not: "What direction should the palm be facing at 9:00?". If they say behind you towards second base or towards the ground, then you need to run as fast as you can to another PC. If they say towards 3rd base or better yet "to the sky" then they have passed the 1st test. Of course there are more questions to ask, but if they can't pass the first test, the rest doesn't really matter IMO.
 
Feb 17, 2014
7,152
113
Orlando, FL
IMHO asking a bunch of questions straight away is a waste of everyone's time. Go and observe a lesson and then if warranted discuss pitching philosophy. This is one of the reasons before I take on a student I often do an evaluation at no cost. That way both parties can decide if there is a future working relationship without feeling obligated.
 
Mar 23, 2014
621
18
SoCal
Wish we had that option for DD! We need a boardmember or rick pauly or java here in Houston, TX! But they would be booked solid!!
Need them here in SoCal too.... We have good weather, close to beaches and not too far from Santa Barbara but you have to bring your own water.

I've posted before that they need to do a road show. Maybe if we all get together, we can convince them!!!!
 

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