New to board and my 10U daughter is trying to learn how to pitch

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Feb 3, 2010
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Mak 10 Dad,
Welcome to our world! Here's a few random suggestions added to those given. As soon as possible, learn and practice proper mechanics. Based on DD's video it is hard to tell what her release looks like, but it does appear that she is not using her lower body. A close up video from the side would be helpful for more specific suggestions. Continuing to practice with improper mechanics will make the road to speed and control much, much longer.

During the process, I'd suggest not going to full distance until she has the basic form down. Up close and into a net is good for major changes because it's easier to give 100% focus on the mechanic. I like to focus on whip separately. As she learns whip, she can switch to playing catch and increase distance.

Learn the drive separately and without a ball.

Once she has the whip down, add a ball to the drive but practice up close and into a net/tarp/blanket. If she can do both well (check with slo-mo video,) increase the distance to the net. When she gets to about 3/4 distance and can consistantly hit the middle of net, start pitching to a glove.

I'd suggest staying away from any of Scarborough's video other than the PD commercial to see the whip in slo-mo. Her deep bend, "hello elbow," and misinfo about spins in the other videos should be avoided. The Hillhouse videos are a good choice. There's really not much else out there in in youtube.


Best wishes,
Ken
 
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I suggest asking around the high school/university what pitching coach's are reputable in your area and call them. Talk to them about what her goals are and what time of pitching style they use. We go every week to pitching coach for the last 10,000 weeks...lol
My daughter has complete control on where her balls are going. That is step #1...speed will come dont rush into that. Proper mechanics is key to pitching. It's a marathon not a sprint! If she is really showing interest in pitching put her with a pitching coach...you are going to make her frustrated! Duh...your the parent we know nothing! hahahaha
 
Feb 28, 2013
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I agree, closest one is probably 2 hrs away. Yea she is serious, loves it. She just now got deicated enouigh to go out and throw, Thats funny you say that about what do we know, I give private baseball lessons to a bunch of the boys at her school, so she knows I know ABOUT BASEBALL lol, we just now got to the point were we can actually go throw take bp, take grounders, and her listen to me, but we used to could not have lasted 5 minutes, cuz she would get mad at me for getting mad at her for not trying. So I told myself and her that day that we are done practicing, until YOU tell me Dad lets go hit or Dad lets go throw. She's getting it that she has to be patient and learn what she is doing before she gets in the circle.
 
There is also an app called "ubersense" that it so handy to record her pitching and slow it down frame by frame. I use it to show my DD her mechanics--she's 14 and started seriously pitching 2 years ago. She is a late starter but is realling coming into her own. We don't throw everyday because a few months ago she hurt her wrist and had to wear a cast for 6 weeks because of over use. So please don't stress about that. I also don't let her practice for more than an hour--they tend to get tired and sloppy--not good for mechanics. Get a pitching rubber and if you can afford a pitching mat with a power line get one of those. If that pitching coach is 2 hours away, I would try to go at least once every other week and video it. Sounds like you are really making an effort on your part and I think that is awesome! My daughter is the one who was adament about pitching so I have done my part as the parent to do what I can to help her suceed. Good luck with everything and remember she is gonna get frustrated and sometimes even hateful. Pitchers miss out on alot of the fun stuff with their friends because they have to practice twice as much as everyone else. But I will say this...when they are in the championship game in the circle and her friends are in the stands watching...she's feels accomplished! Not a better feeling in the world:)
 

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