8yo dd has been pitching for a little over a year. She is really into it, and throws almost everyday. She pitched in spring last year in 8u and all stars, then in 10u for fall ball with her older sister. She struggled at first in 10u, but was holding her own with the older girls by the end of the season. She wanted to play with her friends, so we kept her in 8u for spring this year.(She turned 8 middle of january, so technically she could play 8u again next year also.)
By accident the other day, we discovered an issue with her pitching. We went to a field that had a mound set at 40ft, and she wanted to pitch from that distance. She was only slightly down in speed from 32ft, and her accuracy actually went up. You could really see a difference in the way she was pushing off the rubber. Moved her up to 32ft, faster but less accuracy, and she does not drive as hard. Tried 35ft, and that is the magic distance. She is actually faster at 35ft then 32, and much more accurate. She says she can't feel the difference in her drive.
So how do we get her to drive as hard at the shorter distance?
By accident the other day, we discovered an issue with her pitching. We went to a field that had a mound set at 40ft, and she wanted to pitch from that distance. She was only slightly down in speed from 32ft, and her accuracy actually went up. You could really see a difference in the way she was pushing off the rubber. Moved her up to 32ft, faster but less accuracy, and she does not drive as hard. Tried 35ft, and that is the magic distance. She is actually faster at 35ft then 32, and much more accurate. She says she can't feel the difference in her drive.
So how do we get her to drive as hard at the shorter distance?