- May 4, 2011
- 6
- 0
Pitchermom, does your daughter have unusually large hands? The reason I ask is the two changeups you mention both require good size hands to throw. She may find that it's tough to throw those pitches when she moves up to the larger ball.
I have to admit I am highly skeptical that she has more than a fastball, somewhat of a changeup, and a bunch of grips that result in the same pitch. I've been teaching for a long time and have found that in the first year even an advanced student (read: older) is lucky to throw a good fastball and change, and a fair drop. I think you'd be better served, as others have said, focusing on mechanics, location and a couple of pitches rather than trying to do so much or add more.
I'd also seek out a second opinion on where your daughter is now from a highly credentialed coach. Not saying your PC isn't correct, but what you've been told is making my Spidey-sense tingle. If Bill Hillhouse is doing a clinic in your area sometime that would be a great place to go. Other well-known pitchers/pitching coaches also do clinics which would work as well. It never hurts to get what she's learning checked out. I actually encourage my students to do it -- probably because I know that they get lots of compliments for their mechanics.
Thanks to everyone for the comments.
We have been to see Bill Hillhouse once this past year and we will schedule another time when he comes in our area. He gave us a little "homework" that we work on during our practice now. We are also planning to see Ernie Parker this year as well.
She doesn't have unusually large hands IMO. Personally, I believe her knuckle change up is better, but she prefers to throw the circle change up. She tried to throw the Jennie Finch change-up, but she didn't have the strength to do that one OR just couldn't grasp it. She is by no means perfect in any of these pitches, but she has worked hard over the past year and that hard work has paid off. She has also pitched with some older pitchers and has learned from them and she watches the college players.
After reading all the posts, I believe we will consider changing how long/how often she practices and we will work on perfecting the spots on the FB and change up (high/low, in/out).
I truly appreciate all the comments/opinions.
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