A year into the journey

[texasheat]

Seth, I still don't understand the rational. As I said, I don't agree with it (for the long term) but I also understand why people do it. Heck, I did it as a kid too... until I learned of the consequences. And those consequences are creeping into the women's game rapidly now with better hitting instruction and more male fastpitch influence on the women's game. But anyway, I can at least understand WHY someone would do a back swing, just not a short backswing.

That said, and I rarely comment on videos posted, but your daughter looks pretty good! Good body awareness (rare in younger ages) and you can see athleticism. Both of those things cannot be taught. And don't fret about the size, Mike White is under 6'0. Ty Stofflet was well under 6', probably 5'6 ish. BOTH of them are on the Mt. Rushmore of pitching. Size helps but, it's not the determining factor in someone's abilities.

Keep working hard, I will enjoy watching her progress if you keep posting videos.

I certainly do not want to speak for Java or some of the others that were/are proponents of a short quick backswing but I'll paraphrase my interpretation of their thoughts based on my research of posts made in this forum.

A backswing helps generate a stronger drive which of course adds velo. The bio-mechanics involved with that thought can't be argued. Just watch anyone try to do a standing broad jump with both arms going back versus none. It's a no brainer. It creates momentum. So there is a benefit to a backswing. The reason why a short quick one was preferred was to cut down on the ability for the grip/pitch to be picked. Although most pitches are picked while the ball is in the glove, there is that small possibility that you have a Tim Walton wannabe there at 3rd base (or a batter) who can pick one in the backswing so you try to reduce the chances of that happening. So you gain the additional velo because of the backswing but cut down on the ability for the pitch to be picked by shortening it. Best of both worlds kind of thing.

Again this is simply my interpretation based on reading some old threads here. If I have mis-represented anyone's thoughts, please forgive in advance.

 

[ArmWhip]

Wow, that arm action looks much better.

I'm not concerned about the quick backswing, it's a natural part of her motion/tempo because of her size. Plus she's still in the step phase and when she goes to a leap the backswing will change because the timing of the arm will change.

A short backswing can work if you block the hitter's view of the grip with the glove, or the grip itself is camouflaged. I had a girl who was tipping her change up because her grip was visible. She experimented with coming out of the glove but couldn't make it work. So I had her stand in front of a mirror and look at her grip when she dropped out of the glove. By turning her hand a little the grip change was hidden from the hitter.

 

[Towny9]

I certainly do not want to speak for Java or some of the others that were/are proponents of a short quick backswing but I'll paraphrase my interpretation of their thoughts based on my research of posts made in this forum.

A backswing helps generate a stronger drive which of course adds velo. The bio-mechanics involved with that thought can't be argued. Just watch anyone try to do a standing broad jump with both arms going back versus none. It's a no brainer. It creates momentum. So there is a benefit to a backswing. The reason why a short quick one was preferred was to cut down on the ability for the grip/pitch to be picked. Although most pitches are picked while the ball is in the glove, there is that small possibility that you have a Tim Walton wannabe there at 3rd base who can pick one in the backswing so you try to reduce the chances of that happening. So you gain the additional velo because of the backswing but cut down on the ability for the pitch to be picked by shortening it. Best of both worlds kind of thing.

Again this is simply my interpretation based on reading some old threads here. If I have mis-represented anyone's thoughts, please forgive in advance.

Here’s my question about picking pitches out of the backswing.

If the third base coach is the one who picks it out of the backswing, then how does that get relayed to the hitter in time for it to matter? The backswing and the pitch reaching the plate happens pretty fast. Now if the hitter can pick it up, then that is different.

 

[texasheat]

Here’s my question about picking pitches out of the backswing.

If the third base coach is the one who picks it out of the backswing, then how does that get relayed to the hitter in time for it to matter? The backswing and the pitch reaching the plate happens pretty fast. Now if the hitter can pick it up, then that is different.

They yell a code word.

If it's a long backswing there is time for it to matter, hence the preference of short backswing because like you stated, with a short quick one, there isn't enough time for it to matter.

But yes the bigger issue is the batter picking it. I suppose the wording of my post made it appear to be secondary but in reality it is the primary issue.

 

[Towny9]

They yell a code word.

That would drive me nuts as a hitter (as well as be super obvious). I’m trying to hit and a second before the pitch I have to listen to the 3rd base coach yell something to me as a hitter and I have to hear it over the chanting and all the other stuff - no way. I think I’ll take my chances and just hit.

 

[765Seth]

They yell a code word.

If it's a long backswing there is time for it to matter, hence the preference of short backswing because like you stated, with a short quick one, there isn't enough time for it to matter.

Hopefully that code word isn't one of the crazy parents safe words... lol

 

[Towny9]

Now if the second baseman can pick the sign from the catcher and get it to me with some time to digest, then by all means I’ll take it.

 

[texasheat]

That would drive me nuts as a hitter (as well as be super obvious). I’m trying to hit and a second before the pitch I have to listen to the 3rd base coach yell something to me as a hitter and I have to hear it over the chanting and all the other stuff - no way. I think I’ll take my chances and just hit.

I've seen it work wonders for hitters so I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss. just sayin...

 

[sluggers]

Here’s my question about picking pitches out of the backswing.

If the third base coach is the one who picks it out of the backswing, then how does that get relayed to the hitter in time for it to matter?

The coach only identifies one pitch. The coach comes up with a word to identify the pitch...something innocuous like "take a good rip". So, if the batter hears "take a good rip", she knows it is that specific pitch.

Suppose you face a pitcher with a good riseball. If the batter knows it is a rise, she can lay off or make adjustments to her swing. It is really simple.

The Houston Astros used the same methodology...the batter got a signal for a fastball, not for every pitch.

We did this in a HS varsity softball game. Every time the pitcher wanted to throw a riseball, she would use a hand signal to the catcher. We had a couple of batters good enough to adjust their swings, and they lit her up.

 

[765Seth]

Wow, that arm action looks much better.

I'm not concerned about the quick backswing, it's a natural part of her motion/tempo because of her size. Plus she's still in the step phase and when she goes to a leap the backswing will change because the timing of the arm will change.

A short backswing can work if you block the hitter's view of the grip with the glove, or the grip itself is camouflaged. I had a girl who was tipping her change up because her grip was visible. She experimented with coming out of the glove but couldn't make it work. So I had her stand in front of a mirror and look at her grip when she dropped out of the glove. By turning her hand a little the grip change was hidden from the hitter.

When she has the short swing its behind the glove. We threw today briefly with both no back swing and with the short backswing both were nice.. because the little social butterfly has to get ready for her NYE party she is throwing for her 10 YO cronies. No change in her grip for her change up, thumb up and splashing a cup of water at the hitter.