For a little leaguer just getting into pitching and with a decent arm, what are the best drills or techniques to teach him how to properly pitch and develop into a good pitcher? He has potential, just want him to learn properly.\n\nAre there any good online drills/resources about this?\n\nDo you teach him to throw hard first, teach him control first? Teach him mechanics first? Just get it over the plate? Thanks, Arly from TX.
123170
Have him develop solid mechanics first. This will naturally lead into throwing strikes, which may be the single most important aspect of little league pitching. As he builds up arm strength and good mechanics velocity will follow. \n\nPlease, please , please do not have him throw any curve balls until he is older, and do not make him throw too much. His young body needs sufficient time to recover. \n\nI agree with a previous poster that you may want t otake him to a pitching coach, which will get him into follwoing good habits and drills.
598431
1.  As a hitter, you look for top spin (opposite of fastball).  Also, occasionally a pitcher will drop his elbow when he throws the curve.  Look for that.\n\n2.  The best 0-2 pitch is often a fastball high and in.  It's called "wasting a pitch" but either causes an aggresive hitter to swing at a bad pitch or sets up a timid hitter to put a bad swing on a next pitch low and away.\n\n3.  For velocity and control, go with the "4-seam" grip (across the widest space between seems).
624658
Go with your best stuff.  Blow them away.  Roger Clements or Greg Maddux didn't mess around they went right after the hitter.  \n\nHow many times have you seen a pitcher get to 0-2 then find themselves with pitch count issues a few innings later....
573276
Anything done by Tom House is a good start...the problem is that a book or website will never really give you a good feel.  The best way to learn, is to find someone that throws those pitches well, and talk to them...let them show you grips and proper technique.  \n\nhttp://www.webball.com/bullpen/grips.html\n\nhttp://www.pitching.com/pitching_grips.php\n\nhttp://www.tomhouse.com/main.asp\n\nHope that is a good start
536947
I would definetly pitch to him. Even though he is 3-3 with 3 HR's. The chances of anybody hitting 4 HR's, nonetheless 4 hits in WS Game 7 are the same to Hell freezing over. Not saying it can't happen though. I'd like to think in this situation, you'd give me some leeway and give my OF's good and accurate arms. But nonetheless, I would attack him this way. Pitch around him. Not so much that the pitches are unhittable, but enough so he can't pull them. OR, if he's hit the 3 HR's to the opposite field, I would give him some inside heat, if my SP has any left.\n\nPOSSIBLY:\n\nWith 57 HR's and if there were 2 or more walk-off HR and he had some clutch hits, I might do this. I'd put my closer up. Make my pitcher hold the ball until the batter calls time. Have my infield talk to him. Then I would make the picther hold the ball again untill time is called. Then I would go out myself and exchange pitchers. Then with my closer I would attack the same way I did in the other paragraph.
303441
As with any pitch, his mechanics have to be in the same fluid motion as if he were throwing the ball 40 -- his front shoulder has to stay closed and his front foot should be pointing to youas he strides forward to release the ball.\n\nAs a catcher, you should be able to see where he is going astray in his mechanics. Being a catcher basically means you are the assistant pitching coach -- so keep a good look out at what's going on and what's not going on.
302008
3 quick tips\n\n1) Keep simple stats on your 1st 3 games(while they're still "gearing up"). At mid season start complimenting  them individually for bringing up their average, RBIs, cutting down on strike-outs etc. Motivate them to get better!\n\n2)Pizza party or ice cream for a "best effort" game - win or lose!\n\n3) If they are coming out flat after a rough loss, challenge them for just 1 or 2 more hits this week than last...and let the kids help motivate themselves.\n\nIt's all for fun, but winning and being recognized for getting better are great motivators
658803
Honestly, I feel that you have too much starting pitching. You will probably top the Wins catorgory in your league but your ERA  and WHIP will be high and your Saves and K will be low. RPs almost always do better in those catogories.  Consider trading one of your starters for a closer with a high K/IP and a low WHIP and ERA. A high K/IP guy that might be available on the FA market is J J Putz. \nAlso, maybe you could trade some of that SP for some speed like Brian Roberts or Pods. Willy Travaras and Dave Roberts are often availible as a base stealers via FA.\nAnyway, good luck and have fun!
128693
You have too many bench batters.  Most of the time, you will have 3-5 bench batters that contribute nothing for you.  The general advice is to get more pitchers for Wins and Ks.  If youcan get some good middle relivers, they can even lower your ERA and WHIP.
260993
Love the Rocket!  THE best pitcher of my lifetime (1973-Present).  If he would have started in Spring Training, he'd be out of gas by playoff time.  He's an old dude.  I have no problem with him waiting until now to come back.  Altough I didn't like the "maybe I'll come back, maybe I won't" business.  We all knew he was coming back.  The Stros made a great comeback in the second half of last season, and are set to do it again this year.  \n\nGo Stros!\n\nBut I did love watching my Buccos take 2 of 3 from them last weekend.  They got lucky on Sunday with the comeback from 4 down in the 9th.  That 18 inning game on Sat. night was one of the best I've ever seen.
565411
LOl that's funny cause my boyfriend has a softball team that he coaches, (grown men) they are 3 and 0 at this time. And don't look like they will be winning anytime soon. Its sad cause my b/f gets practices together for the team and 3 guys show up then game time they are all there. The pitcher lobs the balls over the Catchers plate. Its hard to tell a team of 40 year old men  (that are all your friends) to get there heads outa there *you know whats. I wish I had your answer. Alls I can say is practice practice practice! Maybe after losing so much they will realize that they need more practice. There is always next year!!! Good luck!
153855
This depends on a lot of things...  Do you have quick feet, quick release, strong arm, and are your pitcher holding the runner so that you even have a chance at throwing the runner out.\n\nThe first thing to work on is your arm strength. Make sure you are doing a lot of long toss. You can work with another catcher or pitcher. You can also do some tube work to work on overall strength for your arm and shoulder.\n\nMy favorite drill is the 1,2,3 Rapid Fire Drill. You will need a pitcher, 1st basemen, 2nd basemen, 3rd basemen.  Pitcher will need three balls and stand about 30 - 40 feet away. Pitcher throws first ball as you recieve first ball, drive your left knee downward and toward first base, rotate upper body to first base. Using a short snap throw, deiver the throw to firstbase.\n\nQuickly recover to receiving position... pitcher throws ball number two.  Throw to second base using a jump pivot, jab step, or rock and fire method.  \n\nQuickly recover to receiving position... pitcher throws third ball. Throw to third remmeber to work on a right footed drop step to clear right handed batters.\n\nDo this five or six times a practice.\n\nAnother good drill is "Quick Hands Drill"\nTwo catchers line up about 15-20 feet apart facing one another. The catcher receiving the throw gets into ready position with glove extended and throwing hand positioned behind the glove hand or against chest in a relaxed manner. \n\nYour partner initiates by throwing the ball. As the ball contacts the glove the throwing hand immediately covers the ball while the fingers find the seam.\n\nUsing "short" arm action, the ball is brought back under the chin while the front shoulder closes. Hands break, and the ball is brought straight back to the throwing position.  Without hesitating throw the ball back to the other catcher who has assumed the ready position. THis should be done about 15-20 throws each. DON'T USE YOUR FEET!  THIS IS JUST TO ISOLATE UPPERBODY THROWING MECHANICS.
557072
Well, I got out of little league some years ago, and there was no balks, even in the majors. (the majors is mostly kids 11-12, though some were 10) I had a few times when i pitched and it definatly would have been a balk, but it was never called as one.
616604
Lefties suck at infield, if u want to play and be successful make the switch to outfield. i have been playing outfield for 2 years and i absolutely love it, as u get older more balls will be hit into the outfield, there is no better feeling in baseball then making a diving catch...Have fun kid
209251
Look at it from a practical point of view ... He has to be able to throw without pain during the game, warm ups and after he cools down. \n\nHave you had him throw simulated games to see where his tolerance is? Start by simulating an inning or two ... have him throw in sets of 8  and then intervals of four ... (Eight pitches to four batters) have him sit down for 8 to 10 minutes between sets, this will let the muscles and connective tissue rest ... check range of motion before you let him take the mound. Any pain, discoloration, swelling or lack of control tells you something.\n\nAnd remind the future Rodger Clements that it's about longevity not just the next at bat ...
140244
being a first baseman myself, my advice would be that the most important skill is to be able to catch balls in the dirt - mostly bad throws from 2B, SS, 3B. another is the stretch to catch the ball. tall isnt as important as long - being able to reach out and catch the ball the earliest possible. quickness isnt really an issue, you only need to move 15 feet MAX to either side.
137319
If you mean pulling your head off the ball... head moves with shoulder this is a huge problem 'cause it makesseeing the ball virtually impossible.  How to correct:\n\nGet a tee and put the ball on it.  Look out ot the pitcher mound or where it would be...  Now follow the imaginary pitch all the way to the tee.  Hit the ball but focus on not moving your head but looking at the tee where the ball was.  It will take a lot of practice to break this but with time and a lot of swings... you will correct it.\n\nIf you uderstand how to properly hit a ball to the opposite field. (Wait for the ball to get deeper) During the next several practices have someone pitch you BP and hit everything you get pitched to the opposite field.  The trick here is to not wait for the outside pitch but try to force everything to the opposite field.  High, Low, Inside, Outside... Wait on it and take it to the opposite field!  Make a game of it... I like this better than tee work (but do both) because you are actively involved in hitting a pitched ball.  Hitting to the opposite field requires your eyes to stay on the ball longer and deeper.  \n\nIn a game situation when you are worried about it... we all get that way!  Consider taking the first pitch and follow it all the way to the catchers mitt.  This will reinforce the muscle memory right before you launch one!!!\n\nIt will take a lot of practice to break this but with time and a lot of swings... you will correct it.  Remember it took a while to form the bad habit...  \n\nGOOD LUCK!