Pitching and Pitchers Discussion How many pitches?

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I have been frustrated lately by many pitchers that I have observed lately. The problem? Trying to throw too many pitches too early. Its seems that now pitchers are too concerned with quantity of pitches instead of quality. This problem ranges from the elementary up to HS aged kids. For some reason the belief has become that in order to be successful a pitcher must have to throw 5-6 different pitches. One pitcher I talked to said she had 9 different pitches. When I ask these pitchers how many they can throw consistently for a strike they pause, then usually respond with something like, "One, well maybe two, good days two, but sometimes 3. Never the same one on the same day that's why I have a lot of options." What happened to mastering a pitch before trying to move on to the next one? I believe that good HS pitchers only need 2 pitches to be successful. If they can throw those pitches for strikes on any part of the plate consistently, they will have success. I think the two most important things are mixing speed and hitting spots. They may not set the record for most strike outs, but they will control the hitter and force them to hit balls they want. They will rely on their defense more, but that is why they are there.

Sorry for the rant. Now for the poll. How many pitches does a solid HS pitcher need to be successful. That is, give their team a chance to win. I am not talking about getting a full ride to Arizona. Let me know what you think.

 

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Until a pitcher gains command, they really don't have a pitch. The only reason to learn a new pitch before mastering another is if you just can't throw it - at that point you are casting it aside.

 

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One of the most overlooked qualities a successful pitcher has, is the ability to just miss the strike zone, exactly where she is aiming. A great pitcher does not throw strikes on every pitch. Location often means putting the ball outside the strike zone right where you want it. Unless a pitcher has overwhelming speed, fastballs should be kept to a minimum. Get the ball going up, down, curving and off speed. Most kids who throw a rise are throwing a high fastball. It does work well if they have other pitches to keep the batter guessing. A good change up is a must, or batters will just sit on the speed.
So 3 to 4 pitches are ideal.

 

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Are you sure all these pitches should be thrown as strikes? I total get what you are saying though. I think it depends on the ability of the pitcher, and how long they have been pitching, too. A good coach/pitcher/catcher will watch to batter and her tendencies and work with what the pitcher has. But I definatly believe in a few good one rather than a bunch of so-so pitches.

 

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GREAT POST
Our HS pitcher has used 2 pitches in the last 2 years.
she is first team all state and we are 62/6 over that span

I believe 3 pitches that are thrown with the right mechanics will work just fine.

 

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I completely agree with not having to throw a strike on the plate. Part of the idea with being able to master a pitch is to throw it wherever you want. On the plate or off. Many great change ups would never be called a strike if the batter did not swing. The goal is just to throw timing off and keep the hitter off balance. The problem comes with not being able to hit those locations consistantly because of trying to come up with so many other pitches. Nothing worse than walks, hit batters or mistake pitches that get blasted because they did not break or missed the spot.

 

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alittledifferent:

Have to agree with the point made in posts above that some pitches are not designed to be thrown as strikes all the time. That was my first thought on reading your post. Many times in situations where the change is thrown we find ourselves in the dugout muttering "bounce it in front of the plate".

PS: Oops, I posted this without seeing your post above.

 

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I believe 3 solid pitched and one variation of all 3.

• Fast Ball
• Curve Ball
• Change Up
• and solid / accurate placement of any of the top 3 to make a batter chase it for the 3rd strike.

 

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I heard that Radarh McHugh only had 2 pitches until she got to colledge! I love it when I ask that question about the # of pitches and when ask to show them, I really see only 1;&

 

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Agree that not all pitches are throw for stirkes. Show me a pitcher who can spot pitch(up, down an corners), can throw a strike anytime she wants and has a good change and I'll show you a pitcher.

 

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Balls and strikes are irrelevant. Think about it: A pitcher's job is to throw pitches that LOOK like pitches the hitter THINKS she can hit. Against great hitters, this is VERY important, because in all probability, the hitter is going to win the battle - TO A POINT. The pitcher can win by forcing an aggressive hitter to swing at "bad" pitches which result in grounders - generally (but not always) drops and low pitches.

Problems start when the pitcher consistently gets behind in the count, and is forced to throw to the umpire's strike zone. If she stays ahead in the count, there's opportunity for "waste pitches" to ****er the batter. Pitchers who lack control are nortorious for getting behind in the count. Making "mistake" or wild pitches DIRECTLY OVER THE PLATE are also extremely dangerous for the pitcher. Those pitchers usually have ball seam imprints on their stomach.

There's plenty of proof that a high school pitcher can be VERY successful with only two pitches - a fastball and a changeup. BUT - the she MUST be capable of precise placement of both pitches AND be able and willing to throw either at any time in the count.

Here's a good test: Can your pitcher throw a first pitch changeup FOR A STRIKE to the first three batters in a game?

 

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If a girl has good speed with control ,develops a great change that she can use anywhere in the count and masters one other pitch she will be a very successful high school pithcher.

 

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My 2 cents. First two are a must, the third would be great. Fastball spotted anywhere in or out of the zone consistently. Change-up that is deceiving (not telegraphed by slowing the arm, huge difference in release, etc.) and stays low in the zone and can be spotted left to right. Any breaking pitch that changes plane effectively, if I had to pick one, I would say a drop ball. Drops when thrown correctly cause more infield grounders. If you are going to miss, missing low is a good standard to follow. It is also easy for pitchers to go from a rollover drop to a drop curve without too much trouble.

Keep in mind that these three pitches will only be effective in Ohio High Schools, If you attend HS in California, you will need at least 7 pitches! just giving the pot a swirl!

 

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I helped a team with thier 14u tryouts, and asked one of the pitchers what pitches she throws, her responce was "All of them":lmao:

 

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I helped a team with thier 14u tryouts, and asked one of the pitchers what pitches she throws, her responce was "All of them":lmao:

My response to that: "Honey, you just got the starting pitcher's spot - NOT because of your pitching skill, but because of your MOXIE"!

 

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I do believe that a pitcher can be effective with only 3 pitches that change speeds, however I think if they can pitch more (not just throw) they can be very effective. jmho

 

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fastball, change up, drop ball. Not a fan of the curve. But I'm a Bill Hillhouse fan. Talk to any elite hitter and the hardest pitch to hit is the rise. Next year in high school the drop will be a better weapon at 43 feet. As Sammy posted few master the rise ball. Those that do, are some of the toughest pitchers to hit. Your team will know it when you face one. I was lucky to have a girl last year. She would average 14 K's a game , because in high school coaches still have them move up in the box. Watch Emily of the Doom 95 , if you want to see a young girl destroy you with the rise! Doug knows he can hang with anyone with her pitching.

 

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Expanding on SemperFi's thought: a few years back, we had a 14U game against a team who had a "coach" who was well known for his ability to distribute the verbal manure. He told me one of his girls threw 8 different pitches.

...They all looked the same to our hitters!

 

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GREAT POST
Our HS pitcher has used 2 pitches in the last 2 years.
she is first team all state and we are 62/6 over that span

I believe 3 pitches that are thrown with the right mechanics will work just fine.

How do you play 68 games in 2 years?

 

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I love to hear about 10-12 year olds who have 5-7 different pitches but when you watch them, they can't even consistantly throw a fastball for a strike. I always say, my DD has 2 pitches...a ball and a strike. She's only 11, she is still mastering her fastball and change-up and hitting her spots. Why move to step 8 when we have't perfected step 1?