Disregarding the wrist coach question, I'd like to hear Bill Hillhouse's take on a 9 yr old with this arsenal of pitches.
Pitching advice for signals/wrist coaches 10U
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Disregarding the wrist coach question, I'd like to hear Bill Hillhouse's take on a 9 yr old with this arsenal of pitches.
Whether anyone believes the OP or not is immaterial. Contrary to popular belief, there are girls out there that have the ability to far exceed normal expectations. Whether they last the test of time, who knows? Some do and move on to the P5 teams, others go for the education and play D2 or D3, some don't and never play and some others even develop at a later age and go play for top names. So maybe some of you should quiet down with your disbelief. Just because a majority of players are only doing so and so doesn't mean that a few aren't exceeding the average expectations being miles ahead. Where the hell do you think a lot of the P5 players come from in the first place?!
That said, to the OP, teach your catcher to call pitches NOW! Teach her HOW, based on batter's stances, teach her WHEN based on game situations, teach her WHAT pitch to call based on the 2 situations above and most importantly, teach her WHY. A great defensive catcher that can receive the ball, present it well to the umpire and can call the right pitch at the right time will make your DD pitcher look like a superstar. A different catcher without those qualities can make her look like a complete dud.
That said, to the OP, teach your catcher to call pitches NOW! Teach her HOW, based on batter's stances, teach her WHEN based on game situations, teach her WHAT pitch to call based on the 2 situations above and most importantly, teach her WHY. A great defensive catcher that can receive the ball, present it well to the umpire and can call the right pitch at the right time will make your DD pitcher look like a superstar. A different catcher without those qualities can make her look like a complete dud.
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Here is my take on this thread.
1. Don't let your pitcher or catcher call pitches. No need to. Sure they should understand the game and freely communicate with the coaches and pitchers, but who ultimately calls pitches for Oklahoma, FSU, Florida, Texas, or Oregon? Not the pitchers and catchers.
2. Just get the wrist band. People hate it, but as a coach, there is no better way to do it.
3. As has been said, a huge arsenal of pitches at a young age is probably more of a detriment then a plus. Injury is always a concern and concentrate on 3 or 4 prime pitches max so you aren't watering down your practice time. Even less pitches if you have good speed.
1. Don't let your pitcher or catcher call pitches. No need to. Sure they should understand the game and freely communicate with the coaches and pitchers, but who ultimately calls pitches for Oklahoma, FSU, Florida, Texas, or Oregon? Not the pitchers and catchers.
2. Just get the wrist band. People hate it, but as a coach, there is no better way to do it.
3. As has been said, a huge arsenal of pitches at a young age is probably more of a detriment then a plus. Injury is always a concern and concentrate on 3 or 4 prime pitches max so you aren't watering down your practice time. Even less pitches if you have good speed.
- Jul 16, 2019
- 67
- 18
My daughter is 9 and half. Her max is 45. She can only throw fastball and changeup. I learned that unless she can pitch 50 consistently, she won't be able to dominate the game or impress a travel ball coach. And from 35ft, it might not have the distance for a ball to break. Her current pitching coach really concentrates on spinning. But somehow, the coach did not really teach her a third pitch.
Her team uses a number system for signal: two numbers, first number is the type of the pitch, 1 for fastball and 2 for changeup. second number is the location. I couldn't remember what the number stands for and I am not sure whether I want to remember. If I do, there might be lengthy talk after practice or game because I will know when she misses the location call.
Her team uses a number system for signal: two numbers, first number is the type of the pitch, 1 for fastball and 2 for changeup. second number is the location. I couldn't remember what the number stands for and I am not sure whether I want to remember. If I do, there might be lengthy talk after practice or game because I will know when she misses the location call.
I truly hope this doesn’t come across the wrong way, but I honestly can’t tell if your statement was meant to be a serious one, or point out the various opinions and answers that DFP’ers offer on even the most basic questions.
In my experience - if you can throw 40 and find the plate, you’ll dominate 10C. 40 with a change, and hit locations, you’d easily be a #1 or #2 on a B or A East Coast / Mid-Atlantic team. 45 mph @ 9 1/2?! At 35’? With 2 pitches and location? She should be dominating 95% of the teams she faces (and probably still beat the other 5%).
If there’s such a thing as a 10U Jr. Olympic team, then MAYBE I could see a coach only be interested in a pitcher in the 99.999 percentile.
Otherwise, I would be [seriously] questioning whomever (or wherever) you’re getting this information from.
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- Oct 26, 2019
- 1,392
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No joke. A nine-year-old throwing 45 miles an hour is bringing it. That would dominate most 10-year-old teams without any offspeed. My daughter tops out at 40 on a good day with the wind at her back. She does throw strikes and a decent change up and she has success against the better teams just doing that.
