Drops that are about a foot short are terrible, any pitch that hits the front of the plate, usually ends up with me off the bucket, flat on my back. DD usually ends up on the ground also, laughing at me.
This thread offers a lot of validation for me!
Definitely the drop ball- in fact I have made it clear that is the one pitch she has to clearly communicate with me on (and she is good about it). I do not suit up, but on drop balls I set up ON the plate.
I'm getting older and she's getting better...
Definitely drop and drop-curve. I actually don't sit on a bucket and have had to bail several times because all I wear is a face mask. I really need to invest in catcher's gear one of these days.
Drop ball. We pitch inside so our home plate sticks up about a half inch but if it hits that fronts side of the plate just right it becomes a chin buster of a "rise" ball.
I've noticed a lot of drop ball votes due to the plate. For our basement work I taped an outline of the plate to avoid the lip launch on short drop or other short low pitch.
Definitely the drop ball. I go sidesaddle for that one and at least half the time let the bucket take it. Just because I don't catch it doesn't make it a bad pitch!
The problem is two fold. 1). She is getting stronger and faster 2) I am getting fatter and slower. This is NOT a good combination for bucket dads. By far the hardest pitch to catch is the drop ball. This is compounded in pitching lessons where the instructor is tweaking her mechanics and is not concerned with location. There are times where I have no idea where the ball is going...... I lost a toenail several years ago after taking a ball off my big toe. Jumped off the bucket , threw the glove, took everything I had to not say some choice words. I now try to line up a catcher for her lessons. Much more enjoyable.