Overhand Pitching for Batting Practice?

Just curious. What is your opinion of a coach overhand pitching to girls for them to do their batting practice? Been a travel softball parent for a very long time and have never seen this before and not sure that I approve. But trying to be open minded and respect the coach's tactics. Any thoughts out there? I am asking out of concern for the girls being able to read pitching correctly. If they are having overhand (baseball) throws coming at them at practices, but will never see an overhand throw in fastpitch softball then what is the point? Will this do them more harm then good or am I just an over-reacting parent? Please advise! We don't want our daughter or her team getting screwed up, but don't want to say anything to the coach if this is just a "New" method, even though most parents are commenting at practice about this. So please reply with your opinions on this cause I am concerned and dumbfounded over this one.

For a very long time I would toss the ball underhand because of the same concerns that you have, but I now sit on a bucket and throw overhand soft toss with wiffle balls to the girls and we haven't had any problem hitting the ball. Now standing up and throwing down is a little different, that is why I sit and throw, so it is pretty close to the same level as an underhand toss. But still, they should be working on there mechanics during the swing, which by the way is the same mechanics every major league BB player is using.

I totally agree with you on the mechanics part and the sitting on the bucket to be at the right level part. But my question being if they are standing at pitcher's mound overhand throwing to the girls, where the ball is coming at them in downward motion. Because what I see happening with some of the girls is that they are trying to adjust their swing to hit it and they are dipping, dropping hands, wacking at it, coming up at it, all kinds of crazy stuff. Not all, but several of them, and some of them don't have greatest mechanics to begin with. And the girls that do have great mechanics have obviously worked a long time at developing the mechanics or were born with great muscle memory skills. And although they are the ones making contact with the ball coming in this way, it is making them do some poor mechanical adjustments to do so. So can this hurt them or will it help them? Just don't know what to make of it.

I think it is fine and I have used it for years (decades.) Sometimes we tend to over think something, but I don't feel like this is a concern.

Maybe if you would volunteer to pitch windmill, they would let you.

I used it a lot when my daughter was younger and it didn't hurt her nearly as much as getting drilled when I threw underhand. Seriously its not that big of a deal. Do most pitching machines deliver the ball the same way a pitcher does? It's not even close. Especially if your having them hit baseballs ( like you should) or hitting off an arm style machine. Teach them good mechanics through your tee work, have them watch the delivery point and they'll be fine.

We prefer underhand. My oldest daughter can tell a difference because all she sees in the spring for practice is overhand or pitching machine. It takes the team a few games to adjust to the difference when playing in games.

Best hitter on our 14u team see's nothing but overhand front toss and hits very well.
So I'm gonna say it don't matter what matters are the reps.
Now she does take hitting lessons at least 3 day's a week and as many as 4-5 at times but lessons are always used with overhand front toss

The angle of the pitch isn't the only thing to consider, and probably the least important. How can the girls work on timing and loading with an overhand throw? Just like hitting off a machine, there is no opportunity for the girls to get a totally accurate feel for a "game pitch" - which is what they are practicing to hit. Without seeing a windmill motion that simulates the release and speed of an actual game pitch, it's less than ideal.

Think about it. A machine has a little light that comes on when it's about to release the pitch. No arm motion (except for an Iron Mike - which is overhand anyway) to give a sense of timing. After three or four balls off a machine, they are trying to time the release from a light! Less than ideal IMO. The only practice they're getting is visually tracking the ball to the hitting zone, but their swing timing is all screwed up when it comes game time.

As coaches, why not practice a windmill motion? Use golf whiffles, and move in close enough to simulate age appropriate pitch speed. Work on a REALLY GOOD change up from this distance, and challenge your girls to hit "your killer change" straight back at you! Whoever can hit your sunglasses off your change-up wins a milk shake.

Strive to practice as you play. Simulate everything as closely as possible to a game situation. I always used the expression "You'll play like you practice, whether you like it or not".

Thanks for all the opinions. I appreciate it. I don't want to be one of those parents that complains or questions the coaches tactics, but since I had never seen this before I was concerned. So everyone's insight really helps put things in prospective. From what I am gathering, I should just remind my daughter to stick with her mechanics and ball focus and not sway from either aspect and just let the coach do his thing, and respect his ways, and just keep doing what we do with her for hitting at home like we always have. We are happy with his coaching, but hey we all see things we don't like or understand sometimes. So thank goodness for the OFC. It is great to be able to throw a question out there and get opinions from so many people. Thanks OFCers!!!!