Pitcher Talk 'n' More

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Comment by Mike Neeley on November 9, 2008 at 2:17pm

Briana, 63 is incredible for an 11 year old. Not many girls can do that. You are in the top end of pitchers for your age and even older. Not sure what you do to work out but am curious what your work out is like. How tall are you? How often do you throw? Are you hitting spots yet?
I was clocking Jenny Finch with a radar gun at 65-70 when she was here in Sacramento for the Olympic tour. Work hard and you could be really really good... I hope you have a good coach..

Comment by Briana Bryan on November 9, 2008 at 2:00pm

I'm 11,fixing to be 12 in december.I have a question about my speed,I pitch 63 mph.Is that too slow,just right,or really great.True answers will begreatly appreciated.

Comment by Mike Neeley on October 25, 2008 at 1:49pm

Forgot to mention the girl throwing 57 mph is only 12! Her team may win the tourney because she is really good. Although it's not always just about the pitching. Because in this tourney a pitcher can only pitch 7 innings in a two game set. Hopefully we get them when she as at the end of her innings. We can beat their second pitcher and hope to give their heater a run for her money. We will shorten up, bunt, push, slug, anything we can to make something happen. Think positive and make it happen.

Comment by Mike Neeley on October 12, 2008 at 1:40pm

My team played the #1 American River team this weekend. AR had a gal that we gunned at 57 mph fastball and 40 mph change up. She was a large girl 5'6" 150+. She was bringing it. The first time we faced her we had two hit and no runs. The girls we totally intimidated. My last two practices prior to this weekend were focused on hitting strategies for this pitcher.
We opened up the stance a bit, shortened the stroke a bit, turned up the aggression in the box, then look fastball, and react to the change when she has two strikes. A pattern we picked off the last time we played them.
We put up 7 runs first game and 8 second game. On the other hand we gave up 10 and 12 respectively. We actually out hit them but our pitching was not as strong and we gave up too many walks. Anyway, the strategy worked and as a result, even though we lost, we now know we can hit the heat. One girl finally got into one and touched them all. The strategy here was for her to open up, look inside on the first pitch and crush it down the line. The field was dry and hard. She was rounding third when the girl picked up the ball.
She executed the strategy and got her first HR this season. What do think she said after the game? She said "it worked!" with a massive smile.
At our post game discussion/praise session every girl talked about what they could have done to make better plays. Every one of them was up beat and positive even though they just got beat. This is really a fun team.

Our pitching strategy was to make the weaker hitters beat us if they could, so we pitched around the zone on their big hitters. Again it worked. We got them trying to hit bad pitches because they were so anxious to hit. My daughter throwing 49-51 fastball and 35+ on the change kept them off balance enough they hit a lot of grounders and pop up's. We even picked off two girls walking back to the bag with their head down. OOOOOPPSSS!!!
All in all a very good weekend for learning and confidence building.

Comment by Mike Neeley on October 9, 2008 at 2:13pm

I should have mentioned, the curls are with the wrist only in this workout. Bicep curls are good as well but not as important as the wrist strength and snap.

Comment by Mike Neeley on October 9, 2008 at 2:11pm

In regards to increasing speed, proper machanics could be an immediate boost of 1-3 miles per hours. I'm working with a girl right now that throws between 35 and 38 consistently. I filmed her, slowed it down and found that her arm in relation to her front foot plant was late at 35 mph and as she worked to close the gap we found she would hit 40 when the arm to foot relationship was right on. She needed to speed up her arm and close the gap between the time she planted her foot and when she released the ball. arm/hand, t to the as to maximize her momentum forward. Bottom line, she gained 3 mph by adjusting her form. Conditioning the forearm and wrist to increase snap speed can be done relatively easy with a heavy ball, large can of soup or the like. With her arm hanging straight down have her curl the soup can up and hold for 2 sec. then release back down. Do as many reps as she can until muscle failure. Work up in reps as she can. Hammer drill - Use a 16 oz hammer and have her curl up while hanging her arm at the release.
Side to side will also strengthen the wrist for the rise and drop and the backward change. Keep in mind her DNA and don't expect large growth if it's not in the DNA. Good luck...

Comment by Mike Neeley on October 9, 2008 at 1:52pm

Hello all! My first time on the pitcher talk and looking forward to more. I didn't usually pitch without my head(as in the picture) put occasionally lost my head when pitching. Sometimes I would would let an 0-2 ball go with the intention of bringing in the rise above the elbows and somehow leave it low. Then I would visit the chiropractor to help straighten out my neck from the whiplash. Knowing this happens I've been working with my two dd's, 10, 14 on this specific item. Not giving a batter an 0-2 pitch to drive! Both are gaining control with work but what about the mental practice? Is there anything out there that focuses on the mental side of pitching? Open minded, self proclaimed pitching coach looking for mental help! Any other nut job pitchers out there that can help calm the mind when pitching? As to not over think each pitch and just throw...

Comment by Kurt Raguse on October 9, 2008 at 5:08am

Hello all!! It is a pleasure to be part of the group.My name is Kurt,and I am a pitcher,and coach.I look forward to helping out if I can as well as asking for your help when needed.I hope to get involved with you all soon.Have a great day.

Comment by Stacie Mahoe on August 14, 2008 at 7:29pm

Larry,

It's definitely something special to see Team USA in person. So much to learn and such a great way to teach young ladies.

I never wanted my daughter's to be pitchers, yet they all seem hell bent on pitching. My oldest asked and asked for over a year before we started working on it. We told my 2nd she needed to be able to catch the ball before we'd even think of letting her pitch. She pitched for the first time this year. My 7-year-old is chompin' at the bit too. So strange, I had NO desire, ever, to be in that circle game in and game out. ` Funny how different they are from me. :D

Comment by Larry Feightner on August 12, 2008 at 10:37am

Hello Lizzie and all other Pitchers.
My daughter started softball at 10. She played Rec. for two yrs. Made All Stars both yrs. She had no previous experience.
Coach said lets try pitching. So she plays 1st base and pitcher. Her older brother got her started the first yr. Then her Mom and I took over. I did alot of studying and lessions
and became her Pitching Coach for Her Team 1st Yr. of ASA.
What a thrill. I had my first experience seeing the USA National Team come thru town headed for Athens. I had no idea how Great they played.
Watch the Olympics and learn from the Best!! Practice!!!
Go to the Web Page Sportskool, they have alot of Great Examples. I'll come back with more great Links.
Larry F.

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