Pitching lesson without practicing for two weeks?

DD's PC is back from college and is ready to start with lessons. PC has about four weeks at home. DD hasn't practiced pitching in about two weeks. DD says she wants to practice with me a few times before she has her next lesson, she wants to look good for her PC. We are in a cold weather state, and we only practice outdoors, not in our budget to rent a cage. Trying to decide whether I should tell DD that she is getting a lesson this week, even without practice time.

I am not one to push DD. Up until the cold weather set in she would ask me 3, 4, or 5 times a week if I could take her out to practice. I am very glad she is self-motivated. I am not one for pushing my kids to do things, I want them to want it.

Is there any disadvantage to her getting a lesson this week having not practiced for a while. She is on a swim team which practices 4 times a week so it is not like she has been idle.

Because of the limited time to see the pitching coach, I personally, don't see anything wrong having a lesson without practicing first. if need be, have your daughter throw some rolled up sock in the living room to help her get comfortable. The coach is aware of the weather and how motivated your child is and will make allowances for the lack of mid season form. Just my 2 cents .

Mike-Coach Q said:

The coach is aware of the weather and how motivated your child is and will make allowances for the lack of mid season form. Just my 2 cents .

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I keep on forgetting the socks, thanks. DD is great about going out to the field to practice, but she is not motivated to do simple things indoors that would serve as practice, like socks. Go figure.

I am not concerned what the coach will think, she knows my DD works hard. My DD thinks she will be embarrassed pitching to her PC after two weeks of not pitching. On one level I have to give my DD credit, she wants to always look good with her pitching.

The best way to practice all winter is to find a travel team with access to indoor facilities. If that’s not possible you’ll need to get creative to come up with a way to practice at least a couple times a week between November and March. If there’s any of the domed soccer/football fields in your area you can probably rent time in their tunnels for an affordable price. If they hold softball tourney’s explain your situation to the TD and they might let you practice in a corner. Look into armory’s, skating rinks, park and rec centers, YMCA, school gym’s or warehouses for cheap or free places to pitch. Set a tarp up and a piece of outdoor carpet in the garage and she can throw into that.

Is there any disadvantage to her getting a lesson this week having not practiced for a while.

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How long is the lesson?

My guess is that it will take her 15 to 30 minutes to be "ready" for the lesson. If it is a 30 minute lesson, you are wasting your money.

BUT

You have to find a way to get her practice time in the winter. If not, it is doubtful she'll develop as a pitcher:

Here is what worked for my DD and others:

Generally, cages are full from 5PM to 9PM. The facility is usually open from 3PM to 10PM.

So, ask the owner if you can get a special deal either early (4PM-5PM) or late (9PM to 10PM). Most places will let your rent a cage during that time for cheap...usually, around $5.00 for an hour.

Of course, you have to be flexible and be on time, both arriving and leaving.

sluggers said:

Most places will let your rent a cage during that time for cheap...usually, around $5.00 for an hour.

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How much does it cost you to rent out a cage for an hour? It costs $50/hour here. I don't imagine I can get it anything like $5/hour.

Bob516 said:

How much does it cost you to rent out a cage for an hour? It costs $50/hour here. I don't imagine I can get it anything like $5/hour.

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Seems about the average cost around here too..(Northeast). What we sometimes do is ask our pitching instructor if she can rent us a lane. She rents space at a hitting facility. She charges us $15 an hour to rent it out. But's it's 40 minutes away and add in tolls it's $25..

sluggers said:

You have to find a way to get her practice time in the winter. If not, it is doubtful she'll develop as a pitcher:

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I was going by the idea that a pitcher should not pitch for 6-8 weeks each year. She will be in her TB team's weekly pitching clinic beginning at the end of January. With her PC, who she loves, in for a few weeks on winter break, she has been asking for lessons with her.

Now that I think about it, between doing bucket work with me in November, now her PC coach, then the clinic, she won't be off anything close to 6 weeks.

Thanks for mentioning the time for her to get ready. Maybe I should get there early and get her ready before the PC arrives.

BT3100 said:

Seems about the average cost around here too..(Northeast). What we sometimes do is ask our pitching instructor if she can rent us a lane. She rents space at a hitting facility. She charges us $15 an hour to rent it out. But's it's 40 minutes away and add in tolls it's $25..

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Nice to have a PC like that. Our PC goes away to college, so does all her summer lessons outdoors, and does not have a relationship with a facility.

We are lucky as we have access to a facility year round with multiple cages, but it is a 30 minute drive from our house. We typically go there twice a week throughout the winter. In between, DD practices in the basement. We have a bow net set up at a distance of approximately 15 feet. Yeah, it's not regulation, but it works great to keep her sharp. Her pitching coach has lanes that are only 22 feet long, so it works similar to that.