Pitching practice without a home plate ?

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Nov 15, 2019
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Thoughts on the need / requirement on having a home plate / target of some kind for a pitching session ? Does it matter the type of practice ? Say team practice just getting work / reps in vs private session or a session that’s working a specific item whether it’s locating a pitch vs working on change up fastball etc. Was taught by dad didn’t matter 5’ or 50’ warm up toss. Warming up as an infielder outfielder pitcher ANYTIME you throw a ball you should always throw to a target. When it came to pitching the plate is a constant. Catchers are not. Some bigger some small some move around some don’t some squat with knees more together others knees are spread wide open. So he always believed in having that constant plate/ target. In my couple of years of my daughter pitching surprised at both team practices and even private lessons where it’s just walk off the distance and that’s it. I also find when people do this catchers set up almost on top of where the plate would be vs where they normally would set up which imo is not a good thing.
 
Sep 19, 2018
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With DD's pitching coach, we almost always have a plate. Having said that she has had DD practice walking it off many times so that is is relatively accurate when we are someplace that is not measured.

I do not have a plate in the yard. We use a bucket top, but really my DD is focused on the mitt.
 
Oct 4, 2018
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My DD doesn't really even look at the plate. In practice, games, lessons, etc. But she does need a target. Catcher's glove is best, but a rectangle on a net or tarp work fine.

We play at fields where sometimes the plate is dirty, lower than the ground, permanently clay colored, etc. So I suppose she's just had to learn not to rely on it being there.
 
Oct 4, 2018
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Also, I am totally fine with guessing/walking off the distance. I err on the long side. If she can pitch from 45 feet it can lead to getting stronger or seeing the spin do cooler things. I don't see much of a downside, assuming you pitch on a real field enough.
 

radness

Possibilities & Opportunities!
Dec 13, 2019
7,270
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The plate is a point of refference for everything else.
it may not be the target...
But like the north star
Can help show where we're going
or need to be going.
 
Nov 15, 2019
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North Star I like that and agree. I also think a plate is as much for the catcher then it is the pitcher. How can you work on hitting each half of the plate if there’s no plate ??? How are you determining if she’s a ball off the corner or 3 ??
 
Oct 4, 2018
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North Star I like that and agree. I also think a plate is as much for the catcher then it is the pitcher. How can you work on hitting each half of the plate if there’s no plate ??? How are you determining if she’s a ball off the corner or 3 ??

Sit on a bucket with a girl. Hold your glove in the middle as she warms up. Once warm, move the glove over 8 inches to practice outside pitchers. Then shift to the other side.

You're way over-thinking it.

Teach them to hit the glove, not worry about the plate.
 
Nov 15, 2019
13
3
Sit on a bucket with a girl. Hold your glove in the middle as she warms up. Once warm, move the glove over 8 inches to practice outside pitchers. Then shift to the other side.

You're way over-thinking it.

Teach them to hit the glove, not worry about the plate.
That’s great if your catcher moves around. What If her catcher sets up middle of plate on EVERY pitch ?? You’ve conditioned her to hit the glove and that’s it.
 
Mar 28, 2014
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That’s great if your catcher moves around. What If her catcher sets up middle of plate on EVERY pitch ?? You’ve conditioned her to hit the glove and that’s it.
Sounds like you have your mind made up, so why even ask people? You're over thinking this but like the last guy to tell you, you'll likely ignore.

I'm a pitcher's dad and by experience I can tell you this. IT DON'T MATTER. Play catch with her. Have fun with her. Don't take it so seriously. Plate. No plate. 2 plates. None of it matters. Jeez have you ever seen the condition that most plate umps let the plate get into before sweeping it clean? Lol..... Buried under dirt 80% of the time.

Just catch her, she'll figure it out on her own as she needs to. Daddy can't be there during games making sure the ump is properly cleaning the plate off every time so little girl has her target.
 
Sep 19, 2018
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That’s great if your catcher moves around. What If her catcher sets up middle of plate on EVERY pitch ?? You’ve conditioned her to hit the glove and that’s it.
If the catcher does not move, what does it matter if there is a plate or not?
 

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