There is a reason that 9-10 yo's use an 11" ball from 35 feet, right?
Now, let's shrink the hands by 2 years and talk 7-8 yo's. Our local league has them pitch 1-2 innings and then moves to coach pitched. What I have seen in our league is that across the board, 7-8 yo hands are too small to handle the 11" ball especially from 12-6 and thru the snap. I am an advocate of 'form first' and I believe the 11 inch ball is simply too big for this age. It is detrimental to good form because the kids all have to compensate somehow to throw the thing. I liken it to handing a 33" bat to a nine year old 60 pounder who is developing good mechanics--they will struggle and cheat their mechanics because of improper equipment.
Similarly, I believe that 35 feet is a bit far for the vast majority of 7-8 yo's to try and pitch from. It simply won't allow/encourage correct form.
I am searching for some insight into the radical idea of asking our league to switch to a 10" ball and 30' distance at 7-8 yo. The 11"/35' at 9-10 and then 12"/40' at 11-up seems to be a logical progression. I am unsure why they hold the teeny boppers to 10yo criteria when NONE of them are 'there' yet developmentally. My own DD is the top dog in this division, so I am not looking to level the playing field here...would just like to see it more age appropriate so bad habits don't get started early.
But what do I know--that's why I need your opinions.
Thanks!
VW
Now, let's shrink the hands by 2 years and talk 7-8 yo's. Our local league has them pitch 1-2 innings and then moves to coach pitched. What I have seen in our league is that across the board, 7-8 yo hands are too small to handle the 11" ball especially from 12-6 and thru the snap. I am an advocate of 'form first' and I believe the 11 inch ball is simply too big for this age. It is detrimental to good form because the kids all have to compensate somehow to throw the thing. I liken it to handing a 33" bat to a nine year old 60 pounder who is developing good mechanics--they will struggle and cheat their mechanics because of improper equipment.
Similarly, I believe that 35 feet is a bit far for the vast majority of 7-8 yo's to try and pitch from. It simply won't allow/encourage correct form.
I am searching for some insight into the radical idea of asking our league to switch to a 10" ball and 30' distance at 7-8 yo. The 11"/35' at 9-10 and then 12"/40' at 11-up seems to be a logical progression. I am unsure why they hold the teeny boppers to 10yo criteria when NONE of them are 'there' yet developmentally. My own DD is the top dog in this division, so I am not looking to level the playing field here...would just like to see it more age appropriate so bad habits don't get started early.
But what do I know--that's why I need your opinions.
Thanks!
VW