Just ask where the instructor believes the hand should be pointed at 9:00. That will tell you everything you need to know.
Dad with some questions about my new pitcher?
- Thread starter Dallas Moore
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That's wrong. Just basic anatomy. For almost all women, the hips are wider than their shoulders. Your DD hasn't matured, of course, so she can get away with it. In 4 years when matures, she won't be able to find the plate with a compass.
Finding a good pitching instructor is always a problem. At your DD's age, it would be better to drive and go to a good pitching instructor once a month.
This Montana Fouts. She pitched a perfect game at the 2022 CWS. Her form is excellent. You can see where she releases the ball.
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- Apr 14, 2022
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Just trying to learn but is Foutz not turning her hips with bullet spin? Or is it the amount of hip rotation? Almost every video I watch of top pitchers hips rotate from 9 o’clock to release.
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- May 13, 2021
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I would say her hip is leading the hand, and the ball is being released as the hip and hand meet. Fouts is pretty close to the same. Hard to brush if the hips stay open until the hand passes the hips.
Yeah, it depends on specifics. My impression was that the PI was teaching to fully close and then release, which is wrong. But you're right...staying open isn't correct either.
Need more info.
Without knowing the context of the situation it's difficult to know if the instructions are appropriate or not. Even though this is a hitting video it speaks to 'feel vs real' when it comes to instruction, feel, and actual mechanics.
- Aug 21, 2008
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You all know I'm not a fan of bullet spin. Sorry, nobody is going to convince me it's a good thing. And I realize many people look at the pitchers on TV and use that as the standard for many things good and bad in pitching. But, I personally believe some pitchers are considered good despite what they do, not because of it. Cat Osterman is the best women's pitcher I've ever seen in person, none of her pitches were bullet spin.
The other point that needs to be remembered, that majority of girls that I know pitching on TV are very big girls. 6 foot, 6'1, 6'2, etc. Not even the best pitching coach in the world can teach a kid to grow to that size. Being that tall allows for a pitcher to get away with things that may not be the most mechanically sound. Pitchers today like to imitate Jordy Bahl. But, the previous generation of young pitchers wanted to imitate Monica Abbot. Personally, I've never understood or liked that giant bend forward she does prior to the pitch. But, she made it work no question. But would anyone encourage or teach their students to do that giant lean forward? Probably not, even though one of the best was doing it.
The other point that needs to be remembered, that majority of girls that I know pitching on TV are very big girls. 6 foot, 6'1, 6'2, etc. Not even the best pitching coach in the world can teach a kid to grow to that size. Being that tall allows for a pitcher to get away with things that may not be the most mechanically sound. Pitchers today like to imitate Jordy Bahl. But, the previous generation of young pitchers wanted to imitate Monica Abbot. Personally, I've never understood or liked that giant bend forward she does prior to the pitch. But, she made it work no question. But would anyone encourage or teach their students to do that giant lean forward? Probably not, even though one of the best was doing it.
As part of my clinic for beginning pitchers, I show video of Abbott, Ueno, Pauly, and Scarborough. I had not seen that Fouts before, I may have to add it. Thanks!
Almost all of my beginning pitchers will never be very tall. Small school, so taller ones disappear as they gravitate towards basketball and volleyball. It's nice to have Scarborough in the video examples I show them since I can talk about her success despite not being very tall.
