I have 5 pitches

Not sure about you guys, but as I've watched games it seems like the better hitters get (i.e. more batspeed they have) the more effective the changeup becomes. Probably because a slow swing stays in the hitting zone a long time, so there's more margin for error. If the hitter is just a little behind the fastball/speed pitches, the changeup sometimes slows it down just enough to be hittable.

As they get better, hitters pick up bat speed. Which means the bat is not only into the hitting zone quicker but out of it quicker too. If the pitcher does a good job of disguising it the hitter swings ahead of it. Another thing that can happen is the hitter freezes. She recognizes something's not right but by the time she processes it the ball has gone by. A less-sophisticated hitter may not be capable of recognizing the difference so quickly and is just swinging when she swings, hoping something good will happen - even if by accident.

(I was about to post the same thing, since I already typed it in I mind as well post it.)

If we are talking CU, do not throw it to batters that have trouble catching up on the FB. A weak hitter might crush it, just stay with the FB.

quincy said:

If we are talking CU, do not throw it to batters that have trouble catching up on the FB. A weak hitter might crush it, just stay with the FB.

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I used to think this way also,
but lately I'm thinking that a CU is a good pitch to throw to a weak batter - just don't throw it for a strike.

If kept out of the zone, many weaker batters will chase it for a swinging K,
or if they do reach an make contact, it wont be hit very hard.

Many coaches save that CU call for when the batter has 2 strikes,
hoping to end the at-bat with it. But I think if you have the confidence to call for the CU early in the count,
you get the batters thinking and that just tips the odds a little more in favor of the pitcher.
This works with good or bad hitters.

Yep, if it is out of the zone it is a good pitch.

I tell DD that I want the ball to land on the plate.

JJsqueeze said:

I find that there is a sweet spot on speed difference. To fast and it is just a pulled hit, too slow and it can be recognized and reset on. DDs throwing about 52-54 on her FB, when her change is 42-44 it is iffy, sometimes gets hit hard, when it is 38-40 it can't be touched. If she took 20MPH off of it and it came in 32-34 I think it would just be slow front toss BP.

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yeah I can agree with that, to a pt but also im going by just what ive seen with my DD where she throws in that mid 50s or so normally but then pops a 38-40mph cu 90% of the time its game over for the batter don't get me wrong we've been stung b4 but its rare. as for the 20mph deal I don't know where I read that magical # of 20mph difference should be the goal. again my DD has never achieved that without the pitch being a total bust. for her to hit it good she seems to only be able to hit that 14-17 mph diff. and like you said JJ when she gets into that 10mph zone it can be ugly.

So help me understand where y'all are coming from.

Do you think these 5 or 6 different pitches don't exist, or is there no one that can actually throw them? At what age or after how much practice would it be believable that a pitcher could properly throw 5 different pitches?

DD is a pitcher. She is 13 yo and has been going to a private pitching coach weekly since she was 8. She learned the pitches slowly over time concentrating on proper spin. She has command of 5 different pitches that all spin correctly. She is playing at the 16u "A" level. I would not want to throw to these batters with only a FB & CU. Someone could get hurt.

Down and Out said:

So help me understand where y'all are coming from.

Do you think these 5 or 6 different pitches don't exist, or is there no one that can actually throw them? At what age or after how much practice would it be believable that a pitcher could properly throw 5 different pitches?

DD is a pitcher. She is 13 yo and has been going to a private pitching coach weekly since she was 8. She learned the pitches slowly over time concentrating on proper spin. She has command of 5 different pitches that all spin correctly. She is playing at the 16u "A" level. I would not want to throw to these batters with only a FB & CU. Someone could get hurt.

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I would expect a 16u "A" pitcher to have more than a fastball and c/u. I think the general comments are that you don't introduce the next pitch until you have some proficiency with the previous pitch (i.e. fastball). Once you have proficiency with the c/u, move on to a movement pitch like a drop ball. Next the curve ball or riseball. After that, it's just variations of those pitches (e.g. drop curve). I just see too many kids that "have" 5 pitches at the youngest ages and no real control of any of them. Sounds like you are doing it right in my book. My recommendation is that you identify your DDs best two pitches and really work hard on "mastering" them while still working on the other ones. for example, my DD "signature" pitches are a great drop ball (4-seam fastball) and flip change-up (probably no surprise to me since that is all she threw for 4+ years). Her other pitches like the rise ball, screwball, and curve are a work in progress as she has only learned them 12 months ago.

Regarding the speed of the change-up, about 20 - 30% slower than your fastest pitch seems to be the sweet spot for most pitchers. With that said, the great pitchers have three different velocities. For example, Chelsea Wilkinson (GA) has a 64mph riseball, 58mph (off-speed fastball?) and a change-up in the mid-high 40's. Talk about messing with the batters timing!