Is the change-up the most important pitch?

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Jan 23, 2010
802
0
VA, USA
I agree with Ray. It all depends on what pitches you have control of and what you can do with these pitches. If you have a great riseball that no one can hit, obviously that is going to be your best pitch.
 
May 13, 2008
831
16
For me it would depend on what age we are talking about. Anything before say 16U, I would say CU; after that Hal might be right with the riseball. On the video, how many pitches would you say this pitcher has good command of (out of the five)? The reason I ask is I have heard people complain on this board that everyone's DD has six pitches but in reality they only have command of one or maybe two pitches, tops.

Probably pretty good, she signed with Texas Tech last year. ;) She is the exception. A lot of the 5-6 pitch pitchers don't really have that many. You can tell when you catch them, their curve looks like their drop. The rise has a 6 inch drop before it hits the mitt, but it was thrown at the armpits. Et cetera.
 
Jul 28, 2008
1,088
0
For me it would depend on what age we are talking about. Anything before say 16U, I would say CU; after that Hal might be right with the riseball. On the video, how many pitches would you say this pitcher has good command of (out of the five)? The reason I ask is I have heard people complain on this board that everyone's DD has six pitches but in reality they only have command of one or maybe two pitches, tops.

When we do tryouts, us coaches chuckle when pitchers tell us they have 6 pitches. College pitchers don't have that many. Shoot, MLB pitchers don't have that many.
 
Sep 29, 2008
1,401
63
Northeast Ohio
I don't know, Hal, I'd take this HS riseball anyday ...

YouTube - Ashley Brokeshoulder Softball Pitching Video - 2009 Recruit

(Go to the 50 second mark for the riseball)

I am jealous!

especially of the dad who can stay in the catchers crouch for all of those pitches without a bucket and in dress clothes!
 
Jan 27, 2010
516
16
When we do tryouts, us coaches chuckle when pitchers tell us they have 6 pitches. College pitchers don't have that many. Shoot, MLB pitchers don't have that many.

I respectfully disagree with us coaches assertion that some pitchers don't have 6 pitches. I personally know many that have 6 pitches.Check out cshilt's
post on Ashley Brokeshoulder on this thread. I believe she has 7 pitches she performs on her youtube skills video.
 
Last edited:
Sep 10, 2009
33
6
Houston
Probably pretty good, she signed with Texas Tech last year. ;) She is the exception. A lot of the 5-6 pitch pitchers don't really have that many. You can tell when you catch them, their curve looks like their drop. The rise has a 6 inch drop before it hits the mitt, but it was thrown at the armpits. Et cetera.

I don't mean to be harsh, but most Texas Tech pitchers I have seen over the last 6-7 years barely have control of one pitch.
 
May 13, 2008
831
16
I don't mean to be harsh, but most Texas Tech pitchers I have seen over the last 6-7 years barely have control of one pitch.

I really don't know Ms. Brokeshoulder, I just happened across her video on YouTube and was impressed with her riseball. I've seen a lot of softball skills videos on YouTube and the usual "riseball" is nothing more than a high pitch that drops (sometimes sharply) before it hits the mitt. The story I read about her signing seemed to indicate that more than one school had interest in the young lady, but I can't speak for why she chose Texas Tech.
 
Last edited:
Oct 19, 2009
1,277
38
beyond the fences
The strike, swinging or called is the most important pitch.:) Change is not most important!
Every pitcher is different, each has her 'go to'
The CU does setup the FB, but it is a 'thinkers' game, your pitcher needs to know what to throw
and when. This is utmost important
 
Mar 3, 2010
8
1
I will lite a fire I am sure but I have never seen a rise ball rise...Are they deceptive, yes ... maybe they drop less than they should but I have watched a lot of video and never seen one actually rise. That would include men and women. If someone has a video taken from the side which shows a ball rise up I would love to see it. I dont mean they throw it high... I mean does it start out on one plain and then curve up on a different plain?

If spinning the ball backwards makes it rise then why do one wheel pitching machines not cause the ball to rise? I dont think any human could sin the ball backwards more than a one wheel machine could they?

Not trying to be difficult or start an argument... I just have never seen what other people see.

G
 

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