| Fastpitch Pitching, January 29, 2001, Bill Hudson, Fastpitch is a wonderful sport I've been involved with most my life. I've been pleased with the growth in Girls Fastpitch. Through this web site I'll offer a growing base of information about Fastpitch pitching. If you don't see the answer to your question just send me an email. I may not be able to answer each question individually, however, I'm sure the answer will appear on this web site - so check back often.
To get started I've created a basic presentation. The folks at Fastpitch Central have reformatted it for presentation on the web. Simply click on presentation or one of the details below. |
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Presentation |
a timed presentation of the below topics |
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Style / Mechanics |
includes Do's and Don'ts |
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Rise Ball |
understanding the unique beauty in this sport |
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Drop |
an early requirement for a successful Fastpitch pitcher |
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Change Up |
at 10U it's fun to watch the batter and at 18U it's necessary to get the best batters out |
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Curve |
a very effective pitch from 12U to 16U and older if a drop-curve is perfected |
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Building Speed |
you don't have to pitch fast to be effective - you pitch Fastballs to sell all your other pitches |
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Achieving Control |
pitching the pitch you intended and putting it where you want it to go |
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| Skills | Site | Comment |
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| Shaking Off the Call |
Hal Skinner says, "Shaking off the call is one of the two simplest ways for a pitcher to become a little more unpredictable."
| keep batter guessing |
| Learning |
Triangle learning tool is a Learning Philosophy
| this article tells how you'll learn to pitch |
| Speed |
Speeds to Expect
| Commentary |
| Location |
The catcher's glove is your target in general for where the pitch first crosses the plate. All you need to do is clip the zone where the umpire calls a strike.
| you need to master both corners and especially the bottom of the strike-zone. |
| Movement |
Repetitive Drills
| duh, its the spin - get the spin right and the movement will happen |
| Fastball |
Listen to your coaches and aim for perfect mechanics on this pitch early. Try to be upper 30s by 10U and then aim for adding approximately 4mph each year until 18U
| the fastball is a great setup pitch, just don't leave it close to the center of the plate. |
| Changeup |
Change Grip lots of different grips for this pitch
| fool the batter with fastball windup speed and pitch the change on the outside corner |
| Drop |
Drop Grip
| make sure you understand the importance of spin and the direction of spin |
| Rise |
Rise Grip
| you really need to generate speed early on this pitch since the release point is further back |
| Curve |
Palm up the pitch generally goes out and perhaps a little down.
| below belly-button release |
| Screwball |
Generally, this pitch is the opposite of the curve. The pitch comes inside and rises a little.
| I've been told that overuse of this pitch early on can lead to arm damage so minimize use until older |
| Pitch Selection |
Catchers Pitch Selection
| make sure the pitcher and catcher understand whats coming |
| Not My Best Stuff |
If you don't have your best stuff on any one pitch make sure the coach and catcher know. Adjustments can be made to the pitch sequence to fit your present ability.
| not all pitches will work every day - deal with it |
| Mechanics |
Pitching Mechanics
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| Fundamentals |
FP Softball
| Don't agree with everything here |
| Self-Defense Drills |
Hal Skinner says, "Pitchers get hit by line drives and screaming one hoppers. Batters also get hit by wild inside pitches. This is always a major concern at every level of play."
| practice, practice |
| Use Pitcher's Rubber |
Hal Skinner says use the pitcher's rubber
| strongest part of foot pushes |
| Vary Pitch Speed |
Hal Skinner says vary the ball speed
| Variable speed pitches |
| Fielding |
Pitcher Fielding Responsibilities Mike Lamson
| and pitcher |
| Pitching Coaches |
Hal Skinner
| list by state |
| Drills |
Drills
| Includes submitted suggestions |
| Stay Fired-Up |
Inspiration
| A winning attitude |
| Pitching Skills |
Kars Aces
| Tempo Drills |
| 1996 Olympic |
Pitching analysis
| Pitching study |
| Fastpitch USA |
Creation and Transference of Pitching Power
| Throwing harder may not mean faster |
| Crow Hop in Fastpitch |
Most coaches have no idea what is a crow hop violation
| just listen to your pitching coach, most umpires don't call a crow hop |
| Fitter International |
TheraTube for throwing training
| see your pitching coach or your new pitching coach |
