Thoughts on not using a fastball

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Jan 17, 2013
414
18
Texas
What are your thoughts on a coach never calling a fastball for any of their pitchers (not even a peel drop in stead of FB)? Has anyone ever seen someone that only called CUs, C, S, and Drop Curves?
 
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Sep 29, 2014
2,421
113
Completely depends on the pitcher. Most pitchers as they get older don't throw a straight fastball, what age and experience are we talking about? My guess is until probably mature 16U they are still using the fastball as their location pitch but if they are really confident in another pitch and can place in anywhere they don't really have to have a fastball since most of their pitches are fast enough to throw by the girls that can't catch up to a fast pitcher.

So short answer is if they have good control of other pitches and those other pitches are just as fast as their fastball why throw the fastball.
 
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JAD

Feb 20, 2012
8,231
38
Georgia
My DD still throws FBs. A well located FB is a good pitch, especially if it is set up with some off speed pitches. I kind of laugh to myself when I hear a coach say "I never call a fastball".
 
Jul 15, 2015
87
18
Curious as to why a coach would do that? Sure there may be a team or two that crushes fastballs and struggles with the offspeed stuff, so you would call a majority of other pitches. But I would think some fastballs would be necessary to keep the batters off balance. If I'm the opposing coach, wouldn't the strategy then be simply to move the batters to the front of the box to get to the pitches before they break since you're not having to worry about a FB?
 
Jan 17, 2013
414
18
Texas
DJCarter, lets say 14u.
JAD, I agree. I think a well placed fastball is a great pitch. I also feel it is an important pitch to help disrupt the batters timing, especially when it tends to be 2-4 mph faster then the movement pitches. If you prefer a fast peel drop in place of a fastball, I am cool with that too. I just think they have their purpose especially when a pitcher is behind in the count.
 
May 17, 2012
2,804
113
Certainly if you throw your fastball in the top 10% of your age group you want to be throwing that pitch often (for strikes). If you don't what pitches are you "missing" with? Fastballs at the older ages should still be used for miss pitches and/or situational (slapping or shifts for example).

So many hitters aren't disciplined to go the other way so an outside fastball is still a valuable weapon. High fastballs in bunting situations are great as well.
 
Feb 3, 2010
5,752
113
Pac NW
Not long ago I walked by a 12U team's pitcher/catcher practice when they happened to be practicing signs... I guarantee not one of the pitchers had half the pitches he was calling for...
 

sluggers

Super Moderator
Staff member
May 26, 2008
7,133
113
Dallas, Texas
Has anyone ever seen someone that only called CUs, C, S, and Drop Curves?

All the time...of course, the kids can throw them, but that never stops a Crazy Daddy from calling them.

Why is it that baseball pitchers, who are paid millions of dollars to practice all year long with the best trainers in the world, can only throw three pitches at most...but little 10YOA Suzy can throw six?
 

Greenmonsters

Wannabe Duck Boat Owner
Feb 21, 2009
6,168
38
New England
All the time...of course, the kids can throw them, but that never stops a Crazy Daddy from calling them.

Why is it that baseball pitchers, who are paid millions of dollars to practice all year long with the best trainers in the world, can only throw three pitches at most...but little 10YOA Suzy can throw six?

And why is that the fastball is one of the 3 pitches that MLB pitchers throw to the best hitters in the world???!
 

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