Pitching and Pitchers Discussion Drop Ball Pitch

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Would like to hear from pitching coaches, if in your opinion, the drop ball can hurt a 16 year old pitcher? If so, when is the best time to learn the pitch or should you @ all?

 

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No harm in throwing drop ball. Great pitch to offset bunters and slappers. Also works well as a alternative to change up. I am not a pitching coach but DD pitches. Her pitching coach taught it to her when she was 14 .

 

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I have never heard any one report that the drop ball is harmful to the pitcher in any way. Poor mechanics and incorrect form may be harmful but the drop ball thrown correctly is no problem a all.

 

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Girls at 10u are now throwing the drop ball. Our daughter has been throwing it since last season when she was at 10u. At 16 years old it wont be a problem to her, and its never to late to learn. Usually when it comes to boys pitching in baseball they worry about the curve ball at a young age due to the difference in an overhand mechanics than in fastpitch.

 

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I would say it might depend on the type of drop being thrown. If it is a peel drop I certainly can't see how that would injury a younger pitcher but I have heard some coaches do not want younger girls throwing a turn over drop.

 

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http://www.pitchsoftball.com/Page6.html It is called a drop fastball that you might be thinking about. Here is the article and why it can cause an injury.

 

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Neither the peel or turnover are harmful if thrown correctly.

 

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I am not a pitching coach, and know little about it, but I can say after watching Bill Hillhouse, I went to my next practice and told a pitcher to throw his drop. Within 5 minutes it was dropping two feet. It is the fastball with a release by the back leg or hip, as opposed to up front like a regular fastball. It was the exact same motion- just a different release point.