Bullpen Sessions

What are you currently doing now?

During the summer we do bullpen during our Thursday team practice. We are an 18U select team, don't have an indoor facility in our area (small town), and lack quality knowledge on pitching. We play games Tuesday and weekend tournaments. We conduct offensive practice Monday. We normally throw around 25 pitch sessions focusing on command of the fastball first and then we work on other pitches. We currently limit them to 30 so that we get them focused on trying to be effective within the time we have allocated to pitching practice. We throw about 70% of the pitches from a stretch. We have a different plan for each pitcher based upon strenghts/weaknesses. This obviously restricts how much throwing we can do in our defensive practices. Any good ideas or recommendations are greatly appreciated.

I think you just have to accept the limitations on throwing in defensive practice. Take a lot of ground balls and fly balls without making the throws. You can probably work in a limited number of throws along with pens. My experience is that pitchers tend to be able to make the throws accurately without that much practice in the field.

Rather than pen on Thurs they should pen based on when they're pitching. Keep the pitchers after your workout to pen. We generally have light pens (30 pitches) and long pens (60 pitches) depending on when they throw in games. We have them throw off of cards we have printed and laminated. We give the cards to the catchers and they run the pen.

I'd be happy to send 'em to you if it may help. Just send me an e-mail address.

quote:

and lack quality knowledge on pitching.

Your not alone there.
Bull pens should be thrown between outtings. They shouldn't stress your arm. The purpose is to gain control of you various pitches. It is to keep the touch ,the feel. Playing a position and throwing other than catcher has no bearing on your bull pen or over use.

Thanks to all for the input. Ironhorse I would great appreciate getting a copy of your cards. I will send you a PM.

Ironhorse, you have a pm. Thanks.