Dad with some questions about my new pitcher?

Interesting how the kid's pitching coach, who was apparently an effective pitcher and is apparently teaching what the vast majority of top pitchers do, and generating positive results, can be so thoroughly second-guessed. It parallels the hitting threads where the "mechanics" of top college hitters are picked apart as they don't conform so someone's personal vision of what's ideal.

Exploring whether your DD CAN pitch is a worthwhile exercise for a 9 yo. However, the vast majority of prospective 9 yo pitchers won't get anywhere near the circle in even a varsity HS game. Don't over-analyze, and make sure the effort expended in learning how to pitch doesn't displace the hitting and fielding fundamentals that will keep her in the game should the pitching experiment fail.

I’m impressed with you reaching out for advice for your DD. Great job!
This is one of my favorite videos.


Rich Balswick also has some excellent uncomplicated videos on YouTube also.

Strike2 said:

who was apparently an effective pitcher

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Being an 'effective' pitcher has nothing to do with whether you are a good instructor. Former college pitchers who have no idea what sound mechanics are are very common. My daughter took lessons from a 3 time All American D1 pitcher who was also an Olympic Gold Medal winner and played in the NPF. This particular pitcher taught the way she was taught, but not the she way actually pitched. My daughter had to unlearn what this instructor taught. My other second guess is; why are you teaching a 9 year old beginner any spin at all?

Strike2 said:

Don't over-analyze, and make sure the effort expended in learning how to pitch doesn't displace the hitting and fielding fundamentals that will keep her in the game should the pitching experiment fail.

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This is very wise advice. Around the time my DD was entering HS, I suggested that we go all in on pitching because it was difficult, time wise, to keep up with everything and improve. She said no. She wanted to keep hitting and fielding. So, we did, despite the compromise of focus it entailed. Best decision she ever made. She has not been the #1 pitcher on her HS team, but she has been able to play because she could hit a little bit and field.

Once coaches that you have no control or influence over start making decisions about rosters, line ups, and playing time, you never know what is going to happen. Better that your DD give herself the best possible chance to play—at least in HS—by being a well rounded ball player.

ArmWhip said:

My other second guess is; why are you teaching a 9 year old beginner any spin at all?

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This was my initial thought. IMO spin is such a non issue at this age.

ArmWhip said:

Being an 'effective' pitcher has nothing to do with whether you are a good instructor. Former college pitchers who have no idea what sound mechanics are are very common. My daughter took lessons from a 3 time All American D1 pitcher who was also an Olympic Gold Medal winner and played in the NPF. This particular pitcher taught the way she was taught, but not the she way actually pitched. My daughter had to unlearn what this instructor taught. My other second guess is; why are you teaching a 9 year old beginner any spin at all?

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"...an effective pitcher and is apparently teaching what the vast majority of top pitchers do, and generating positive results..."

While having direct experience with what you teach doesn't guarantee good results, I believe it's an essential building block. Having practical experience builds both understanding and credibility. Being a self-styled "expert" who builds their knowledge of "sound mechanics" solely through videos and Internet posts doesn't mean one is qualified to judge an instructor they've never personally observed, who was a successful player, is apparently teaching what the vast majority of top pitchers do, and is generating positive results.

ArmWhip said:

why are you teaching a 9 year old beginner any spin at all?

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My question is why would you not?
Even little kids can understand purpose!

Definitely can understand wanting to release the ball correctly.

Mixing spins would be a different topic but releasing the ball with a correct initial spin definitely understand that!

Strike2 said:

"...an effective pitcher and is apparently teaching what the vast majority of top pitchers do, and generating positive results..."

While having direct experience with what you teach doesn't guarantee good results, I believe it's an essential building block. Having practical experience builds both understanding and credibility. Being a self-styled "expert" who builds their knowledge of "sound mechanics" solely through videos and Internet posts doesn't mean one is qualified to judge an instructor they've never personally observed, who was a successful player, is apparently teaching what the vast majority of top pitchers do, and is generating positive results.

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Excellent read!

I find there are people who want to judge another instructor or coach simply because they have a difference of preference of mechanics. And then they become blindsided to recognize that while someone may be doing something other than what they themselves teach,
it can still be successful.
But the Judgment has already been passed and the perspective keeps revolving instead of evolving. (not saying people have to change what they teach to become what someone else's is teaching. But it's not the place to negate the other set of mechanics that can work)

Traps71 said:

This is very wise advice. Around the time my DD was entering HS, I suggested that we go all in on pitching because it was difficult, time wise, to keep up with everything and improve. She said no. She wanted to keep hitting and fielding. So, we did, despite the compromise of focus it entailed. Best decision she ever made. She has not been the #1 pitcher on her HS team, but she has been able to play because she could hit a little bit and field.

Once coaches that you have no control or influence over start making decisions about rosters, line ups, and playing time, you never know what is going to happen. Better that your DD give herself the best possible chance to play—at least in HS—by being a well rounded ball player.

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Similar situation with my DD. I asked her a year or so age if she wanted to be a “pitcher” or a “softball player”. She said she wanted to be a softball player so we shifted focus away from pitching and more into hitting/fielding. She still pitches for our travel team as the #3, but we out more time into the other areas for sure.

RADcatcher said:

Excellent read!

I find there are people who want to judge another instructor or coach simply because they have a difference of preference of mechanics. And then they become blindsided to recognize that while someone may be doing something other than what they themselves teach,
it can still be successful.
But the Judgment has already been passed and the perspective keeps revolving instead of evolving. (not saying people have to change what they teach to become what someone else's is teaching. But it's not the place to negate the other set of mechanics that can work)

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Agree with this. In all mechanics there are absolutes and nuances. We have lots of video, if pitchers of various sizes and success. I think you should ask why is that successful, instead of jumping to they would be more successful if they did it my way or all examples to the contrary successful are in spite of the form. If you disregard all information contrary to your predisposed belief, you always confirm your belief, right or wrong.

For example, dd attended a camp, a pitching coach was commenting on her whip, something to the effect of not being able to generate spin. At that very moment the coach behind the catcher came running up to hi five her for the amount of spin she had on the ball. The pitching coach was kind of dumbfounded.

In watching a lot of video found most pitchers similar to dd, but also found several closer to what they were saying. Not so simple to say optimal.