10U DD can throw her fastball for a strike at will. She consistently throws the best changeup I have seen in travel ball. (matter of fact, not arrogant). We're trying to add a third pitch this offseason.
She can throw her 2 seam FB anywhere, but it does break in on RH batters. (enough that a screwball isn't needed)
Her changeup was her K pitch at 9yo and is very effective on second or third strike. This year she is turning her hand over at release for a nice changeup that curves spinning 3-9.
We're trying not to throw anything down the pipe this year. No more four seam fastballs since the 2 seam breaks...no straight changeups since it is just as easy to curve it.
Her 2 primary pitches are breaking laterally, so a third that breaks vertically would be nice. She has tried a peel drop, but more often than not she hangs this over the center of the plate with no real drop, just a slight decrease in speed which will tend to get hit hard. She has been taught a drop-curve and is quickly catching on. It doesn't always drop and curve yet , but at least does one or the other, sometimes both. Being an outside pitch at a speed exactly between her FB and Changeup seemingly makes this a perfect third pitch to master. Would you agree?
DD pitches a lot, but I think her pitch count per batter will be down this year. At most, I could see maybe 1 dropcurve per batter. Is a drop-curve safe for a 10yo to throw even if mechanics are correct. (Just because they can, doesn't mean they should.) If not, can you suggest a better third pitch ? Also, I don't plan to use a 4th or 5th pitch. I think a mastery of 3 pitches would make her more effective than the 10yo's who "have 6 pitches" but virtually always need to add one more...a strike.
Thank you!
VW
She can throw her 2 seam FB anywhere, but it does break in on RH batters. (enough that a screwball isn't needed)
Her changeup was her K pitch at 9yo and is very effective on second or third strike. This year she is turning her hand over at release for a nice changeup that curves spinning 3-9.
We're trying not to throw anything down the pipe this year. No more four seam fastballs since the 2 seam breaks...no straight changeups since it is just as easy to curve it.
Her 2 primary pitches are breaking laterally, so a third that breaks vertically would be nice. She has tried a peel drop, but more often than not she hangs this over the center of the plate with no real drop, just a slight decrease in speed which will tend to get hit hard. She has been taught a drop-curve and is quickly catching on. It doesn't always drop and curve yet , but at least does one or the other, sometimes both. Being an outside pitch at a speed exactly between her FB and Changeup seemingly makes this a perfect third pitch to master. Would you agree?
DD pitches a lot, but I think her pitch count per batter will be down this year. At most, I could see maybe 1 dropcurve per batter. Is a drop-curve safe for a 10yo to throw even if mechanics are correct. (Just because they can, doesn't mean they should.) If not, can you suggest a better third pitch ? Also, I don't plan to use a 4th or 5th pitch. I think a mastery of 3 pitches would make her more effective than the 10yo's who "have 6 pitches" but virtually always need to add one more...a strike.
Thank you!
VW