Improving the pitchers defensive play

My DD is a good pitcher, but occasionally she, doesn't execute on a defensive play. Im talking about a bunt or a playable ground balls. She also is one of those pitchers that makes that soft throw to 1b that barely beats the runner on a come backer. Wish she would fire it over to 1st.

We practice fielding bunt coverage occasionally. But when she gets in the game, she thinks the 1b or 3b is always going to get it and sometimes she hesitates. It happened on a big play this weekend, bunt is put down between 1st and pitcher. 1st baseman covered 1st, and she was sitting there flat footed. Runner easily beat the play at 1st. Its partly that we just got done with high school season and she's playing with different players on travel team. But I also have to admit the same thing happened in a big high school game this season. I tell her to go after everything, and peel off if 3b, 1b or catcher beat you to the ball, or call you off. But that's easier said then done.

Anyway, like I said we practice fielding off the mound occasionally, but I'm starting to realize we need to do more. Ill admit, sometimes she doesn't like practicing fielding either. Sometimes after pitching practice, I put 10 balls randomly in front of the plate. I have her go through pitching motion, and then she charges, fields then throw to me at 1st. So the question to bucket dads/ pitching coaches, how much should a pitcher practice fielding? And is there some good creative pitcher defense drills to work on.

SS,

One of the toughest things in the world is throwing a ball overhand accurately after countless underhand throws. That's why I always tell people to take their time and use the right throwing mechanics. That sounds like simple advice but, when a ball is hit back to the pitcher she/he almost always forgets how much time they have to throw to first. And if there's runner's on base, that adds to confusion. It gets lost in the flow of the game but, just as the infielders are trained to say "What do I do if it's hit to me here?" Pitchers need to do the same thing.

One thing I've always done, and was taught by an old team.... bunt situation with a runner on 1st. 90% of the time 3rd or 1st pick up the bunt. 2nd base covers 1st, SS covers 2nd... leaving 3rd base wide open. I would cover 3rd by running over and hiding behind the coach. Baserunner sees nobody at 3rd and breaks for it, I step out 2 feet from behind the box and bingo. It doesn't work every time but, you'd be amazed at how much it does!!! Another option is having your catcher run down to 3rd and switch places with the 3rd baseman. again having the catcher sneak behind the coach. This eliminates 3rdbaseman from going back and again makes the base look open for the taking.

But in regards to your DD... after her warm up pitches per inning. Have her throw 1 or 2 OVERHAND to the SS or 2B just to keep the overhand throw loose. This can be done when the batter is walking to the plate, settling in, looking at her cool wristband, etc.

Bill

Hillhouse said:

SS,

But in regards to your DD... after her warm up pitches per inning. Have her throw 1 or 2 OVERHAND to the SS or 2B just to keep the overhand throw loose. This can be done when the batter is walking to the plate, settling in, looking at her cool wristband, etc.

Bill

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In some rule sets these are construed as extra warm up pitches. I saw a pitcher in an NCAA game last year assessed two balls on the first batter for the two overhand throws she made with the 3rd baseman.

Axe said:

In some rule sets these are construed as extra warm up pitches. I saw a pitcher in an NCAA game last year assessed two balls on the first batter for the two overhand throws she made with the 3rd baseman.

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Happen to my DD when pitching in ASA qualifying tournament.

One thing I did with my daughter when she was young (10u) was that during pitching lessons instead of throwing the ball back to her I would roll ground balls. She practiced hundreds of ground balls (to her left, to her right, and right at her) using Kobatas footwork. Sometimes she would even simulate the throw.

If you were just observing pitching lessons you probably thought I was just to lazy to throw it back to her. Every pitching lesson she got hundreds of ground balls as practice. Multiply that by weeks and years...

DD 3 would sometimes make errors with her overhand throw. Her coaches recommended that in situations where she is close to first base, to throw underhand. Cuts WAY down on the errors.

BobInMadison said:

DD 3 would sometimes make errors with her overhand throw. Her coaches recommended that in situations where she is close to first base, to throw underhand. Cuts WAY down on the errors.

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DD does this too. There were times she was comfortable but one time she threw down hard twice in one game - ever since then, she throws like this (if doable) - she does field and throw bunts though - helps that she plays 1B (and has played 3B before) so the bunt is memorized drill for her.

DD was hitting parents and kids they were scared, DD is twowinģ they would all talk covrer protect your childern.

Little drop stop to too stop it. Her right foot drops before she throws,

Through the years we always worked on my DD's defense and making good throws to 1B. We also coached her to be aggressive and go after every ball she can get unless she is called off, especially on the 1B side of the pitching plate. If F3 fields a bunt they have to turn 180 degrees to make a throw, while a RHP has to turn 90 degrees or less.

Proud dad moment: My DD was pitching this weekend with her new college AC watching. Runner on 3B with 1 out when the other team executes a suicide squeeze. DD fields the bunt, recognizes she does not have time to make the play after checking the runner crashing from 3B, wheels and fires a laser to F4 covers 1B to at least get the out.

If F3 fields a bunt they have to turn 180 degrees to make a throw,

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Then they are fielding the ball incorrectly.

F3 (RH) needs to field ball facing the foul line. Right foot takes a step passed the ball and sets. Pick up the ball, rock back and load, make throw to first.

F3 (LH) does the same with her back to the foul line and loads on the left foot.