Developing pitches

quote:

But now that I'm in the older college age leagues,

Depending on the quality of the league it's sometimes an art just to throw strikes.

3K - my son [06] started throwing the slider [no CB] and change at around 15, started a cutter last yr. Cutter probably least efective pitch, but throwing it the shortest period of time. Change has become his best pitch - he's not a real big kid [5'11, 190], but has had no problems with the circle change. Best thing is to have someone qulaified evalute you, your delivery, arm slot, motion , body type, and suggest/ instruct on the best pitches to add to your repertoire [I probably spelled that wrong, but wanted to sound sophisticated HAH!]

Except for the split, I don't think any of the others have any restrictions, like age and size and maturity, if taught and thrown properly

Mr3000,

Here's just my thoughts...

The Splitter- Many are told to stay away from this pitch unless they are at the point where they need another pitch to hang on in their league, or to make the jump up to another level. Plus the whole arguement of how stressful it is on your arm.

The Slider- Many Coaches either;
a.) don't like to teach how to throw it in fear of teaching it wrong and ruin a kids elbow
b.) don't like to have a guy throw it because if that pitch isn't working, it'll be hit
This pitch normally is taught to pitchers who have already mastered the FB CB CU, or to those that can't throw a goodquality curve.

The cutter- It's a relatively new pitch, give it some time to filter its way down to all the levels


I'm not too surprised though that you don't see alot of changeups, it's really rare to see them in the area I played summer ball back home as well, must be a running theme in Ontario, I know much is the same up North as well. I think alot of that has to do with the Coaches and kids being in love too much with the Curve.

As rz1 said though alot has to do with the level of the leauge you're in, like the guys who can throw those pitches (SPL SL CFB etc). are going to be off playing in some of the better summer ball programs, ie Cape, Alakan Leagues etc. or even be drafted and playing in the minors.

Also keep in mind the ball back home ain't like the ball in the states, there's numerous guys throwing splitty's and sliders down south. I know a guy who throws the splitty and he's a College Sophmore, but the only reason he learnt how to throw it was cause of his fingers and because he couldn't throw a CB or a SL. I also know a guy whoose a Sophmore throws Cutters and Sliders along with FB an CB and he's got tendinitis in his elbow. 2 Seniors on my team last year threw the Splitty and Slider, one started throwing the Splitty so he'd have another pitch that moves the other threw it cause he had big hands.


But again just my thoughts on the topic

I agree withy most of what you say Doc. The split Finger is a tough pitch and I read the history on it. I have forgotten the team and players involved but the guy who developed the pitch was so effective that the whole team learned how to throw it. That team at one point had all of its starters on the DL. I believe I read it in "All you need to Know About Pitching"_louisville Slugger. This is a good book to read.
In Southern Ontario the 2 most important pitches are FB and CU. Once your hands are big enough you generally use the Circle Change or a modified Circle Change. My sons change has a cutterball action at the front of the plate.
He can throw it at any count for stikes when it is sharp. If he brings his weight forward too soon it hangs.
The slider is a great pitch and is hard for the batter to pick up. His CU and slider can make very good hitters look like they never swung a bat before.
He had what I call a little Little league CB. You know the 12 to 7 type. Big loopy curve . Breaks early and dives tailing to the side. He has thrown that pitch properly since he was 10yo. He still throws 1 or 2 in a game. It is hilarious watching that pitch come in. If he threw it again it would probably get blasted. Now his CB has a tight rotation ,breaks at the front of the plate but is hard to get a called strike.
He has never been allowed to throw his Knuckle Ball because his coaches want him to develope arm strenght.
Stay away from the splitter. It is a beautiful pitch but hard on the arm. Get ba copy of the Louisville book. It is a good book for apitcher with good graphics and looks at pitching from different perspectives. I also like the Pitchers Edge for a more analytical look at pitching.

Bobble,

I agree the Louisvile Sluggers Pitching book is amazing, one of the first books I ever bought in regards to pitching, and I still go to it on a regular basis