We had our first practice last Saturday and of the 11 girls I saw, 1 of the girls was clearly the most accurate pitcher in the group by a wide margin. Also has good speed for 7/8 rec player not the fastest of the group but close. She was "taught" by older siblings and cousins.
The delemma I have is her form or style is one that will limit her going forward. She pitches from a completely closed position. That is she never opens her hips at all. Never pivots the push foot. She faces the catcher square from setup on the pithching plate all the way through her release and follow through.
1 - So do I ignore it and have a pitcher who consistantly throws pitchers that can reasonable be expected to be called strikes. A huge plus at 8U rec.
2 - Do I try and correct her to a open pitching style? That is what I am teach all the other girls most who have no prior pitching experience. Mind you I'm not a pitching coach and don't pretend to be. I no longer know just enough to be dangerous, I now know enough to recognize many common flaws and can at least start beginning young pitcher on the proper path but tell parents if they want their kids to be pitchers going forward there is no real substitute for a good pitching coach.
3 - Do I talk to the parents and let them make the call on how we want to proceed with this young girl?
I think 3 is the best option. And bear in mind we get all of 8 total practices weather permitting before games begin. I realize changing her will probably set her back in the short term but I think it would help her in the long term if she decides to stick with it.
Any ideas from some of the more learned folk on the board?
The delemma I have is her form or style is one that will limit her going forward. She pitches from a completely closed position. That is she never opens her hips at all. Never pivots the push foot. She faces the catcher square from setup on the pithching plate all the way through her release and follow through.
1 - So do I ignore it and have a pitcher who consistantly throws pitchers that can reasonable be expected to be called strikes. A huge plus at 8U rec.
2 - Do I try and correct her to a open pitching style? That is what I am teach all the other girls most who have no prior pitching experience. Mind you I'm not a pitching coach and don't pretend to be. I no longer know just enough to be dangerous, I now know enough to recognize many common flaws and can at least start beginning young pitcher on the proper path but tell parents if they want their kids to be pitchers going forward there is no real substitute for a good pitching coach.
3 - Do I talk to the parents and let them make the call on how we want to proceed with this young girl?
I think 3 is the best option. And bear in mind we get all of 8 total practices weather permitting before games begin. I realize changing her will probably set her back in the short term but I think it would help her in the long term if she decides to stick with it.
Any ideas from some of the more learned folk on the board?