Ball Facing 2nd base... Instruction

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Sep 30, 2013
155
28
Northwest, IN
So I've been doing instruction now for a while, and I keep hearing other pitching coaches (One is a HC and former Pitcher at the NAIA level, and the other is a Assistant Coach at a JuCo)
Both of them are instructing that the ball should face 2nd base at 9 O'Clock.

I'm boggled by this. I don't see the advantage of it facing 2nd base, unless teaching HE. Funny thing is they both want them to finish internally rotated (one calls it Princess Hand)

Has anyone else come across this style? Just boggles my mind that collegiate coaches are instructing this way.



Thanks for your responses!
 
Sep 29, 2014
2,421
113
Not sure what is meant by second base. If by second base they mean "up" and not facing third base then yes this would be correct form....pasted some 9 o'clock pictures maybe this helps. Although to be accurate with Jennie at exactly 9 she is slightly more towards third but you can see just past nine she is under
amanda plant distance.JPGplantdistance jennie.JPG
 
Last edited:
Jun 18, 2012
3,183
48
Utah
"Point the ball toward 2B" to me is pointing the ball toward 2B with fingers on top and palm also pointing toward 2B. This reeks of "hello elbow" instruction, which is common among those who haven't remained students of pitching. Let me proclaim....and I do so boldly, as you can see here...


NOT THE WAY IT SHOULD BE DONE! 0.jpg
 
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Jun 18, 2012
3,183
48
Utah
Ask them who they think are the top 3-4 pitchers of the past 10 years. Maybe nudge them toward Monica Abbott, Ueno, Osterman, Pauly, etc... Ask them to download clips of those pitchers and stop them when those pitchers have their throwing arm in the 9:00 position. None will be pointing the ball or palm back toward 2B. The ball will be pointed up to up and out, not back or down.
 
Last edited:
Apr 12, 2015
792
93
Ask them you they think are the top 3-4 pitchers of the past 10 years. Maybe nudge them toward Monica Abbott, Ueno, Osterman, Pauly, etc... Ask them to download clips of those pitchers and stop them when those pitchers have their throwing arm in the 9:00 position. None will be pointing the ball or palm back toward 2B. The ball will be pointed up to up and out, not back or down.

In the case of Ueno she near points the ball toward first. Crazy flexibility!
 
Sep 30, 2013
155
28
Northwest, IN
Amen Doug.

I'm right there with you! I was just surprised that former pitchers and Head Coaches instructed this way. I was wondering if other ran into this issue.

I've gotten a few of their clients who are younger, and I always explain to them and their parents that top level pitchers don't pitch that way (ball and palm facing 2nd). So it's going to take a little time to break bad habits.
 
Jun 18, 2012
3,183
48
Utah
So it's going to take a little time to break bad habits.

It will take time to break bad habits in pitching students, but it is damned near impossible to get through to pitching and other coaches that they have their heads in the sand regarding this. And, those coaches will likely see you as a crazy person. But then again, they won't seem to be willing to actually LOOK at what top pitchers actually do.
 
Apr 12, 2015
792
93
I'm right there with you! I was just surprised that former pitchers

You would be amazed how many pitchers have no idea what they actually do during a pitch and so just parrot what they were taught.

Also makes you think how many potentially elite pitchers are lost because of improper instruction. A number sort of figure it out on their own which tells you how naturally talented they are!
 

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