Pitching and Pitchers Discussion pitching instruction... what you would like more of...

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As I mentioned in a previous thread I have opened a new pitching facility in lagrange ohio. I am very excited about this new venture in my life and would like to give the athletes and parents more than their money's worth. With that said i'd like to start a conversation on what pitchers feel they are missing or what they would like to see more of from their coaches and what parents feel they get the most out of in an hour session from their pitching instructor. Obviously each lesson should be personalized to the needs and level of each student but I love feedback and suggestions from those of you who are currently trying to become the best pitchers you can be or helping your daughters on that path.

Thanks!!

 

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As a parent of a younger pitcher, I personally like "explanations" of what dd needs to work on...show me what she is doing wrong so I know what to look for at home and help her improve...Also, sometimes dd's need a little encouragement and it is nice if the Coach takes a personal interest in your daughter. JMHO

 

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First off I would like to say that I wish you well in your new career choice. Second, if you are who I think you are you're gonna do fine. Parents just take a look at the OHSAA record books, if I'm right this young lady is pretty much in every category there is for a high school pitcher. Now one thing that I would like to see from a pitching coach is absolute honesty. Not every girl that walks in the door is going to be the next Jenny Finch or even the stud pitcher for their school or even summer team. I've seen far too many times that parents make life very difficult for a coach and team when they think their sub-par DD should pitch just because they take her to a pitching coach.

 

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Good luck with your new Place !

You should not only instruct your pitchers on the "How To" of the craft but the when and why.

Pitchers need to be taught what pitches to throw to which type of batters and in certain situations and why.

Of course this is just my opinion.

 

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I agree BE HONEST dont tell every 4'3" 100lb 14 yr girl that comes in the door how you are going to make her great.

while every girl may have a different goal A coach is measured by the success of the kids they coach not how many checks they cash.

 

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I am a fellow instructor and a mother of a pitcher and my advise to you is explain everything like they have absolutely no idea what you are talking about, because most of the time they do not, but they won't tell you that.

 

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Klump -- You hit that nail on the head. My lovely wife's job ( one of the millions she has in the family) is to carry a pen and notebook and write down exactly what my dd calls pitching homework that her coach wants her to work on between lessons.

 

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BTW Amy, good luck with your new endeavor. Try and keep spreading your contact information out. I'd even suggest trying to get a list of the OGSO coaches in A and B in the county and sending info to them. A lot of times the dads that are coaching the young teams need all the help they can get, even if they don't realize it.

 

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Personally, I would like to see a kegerator within arms reach of home plate (Dad's get thirsty catching for an hour!), and maybe a couple dozen doughnuts placed around the facility. Perhaps a flat-screen TV behind and above the pitchers mound playing ESPN or something along those lines (we are used to getting hit by the pitches anyhow!) You would have dads lined up around the block.

Seriously, parents and kids want to know that you know what you are talking about. For those that don't know who you are, don't be shy to tell them about your accomplishments in pitching. I agree with Philbob also, give them plenty of homework and explain to the parents what your expectations are as far as practice between lessons. Good luck Aimee.

 

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Wow what a great ideal be honest with the parents and kids about there athletic ability instead of taking their money when you see there is no improvement over a period of time. HONESTY, RESPECT,and RESPONSIBILITY I have found to be good words to live by

 

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Observations of some things I thought were very helpful during my DD's pitcher training:

1) DD was required to keep her own diary, with notes of what she was having trouble with, what she was to do on her own time to help correct it, and various notes/questions she would ask her instructor at the next lesson. This little homemade "Franklin Planner" (just a spiral note pad) was a great time saver, and also taught her the value of "self-help" and being organized.

2) One of her instructors had a great format. 3 pitching lanes side by side. Lane #1 had a pitcher warming up (15 minutes), Lane #2 was the "main Lane" where the instructor was working one-on-one with the pitcher (30 minutes), and Lane #3 was a pitcher who had finished her lesson, and would spend 15 minutes or so working on stuff from the lesson in Lane #2. The instructor kept an eye on the side lanes, but primary focus was on the kid getting the lesson. Worked VERY well!

Best wishes on your venture!!

 

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My daughter has worked with both Amie and her dad Dave for quite some time and loves working with both.Went to her first lesson at Amies new facility last week and it is and will be a top notch place for the girls to work out with a young lady who knows what she is doing and how to pass it on to her pitchers.Amie is not one to let you slack when working out and has always been very straight forward with my daughter on how she is progressing and what she needs to work on.Daughter has worked with several instructors in her 7 years of pitching and since hooking up with the leffews several years back i can tell you it does not get any better than Amie as she not only was a great pitcher but is also proving herself to be a great pitching coach.

 

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I'd like to see the instuctor take video of each lesson if possible and have an optional sit down and "look over" part of the lesson at an additional price,seeing is believing,Have an outdoor area when weather permits to allow actual pitching off a dirt area. Kids also like to see their pitching speeds.

 

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Sooo helpful, what great feedback!!! Thanks to everyone for your advice!

 

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I'd like to see the instuctor take video of each lesson if possible and have an optional sit down and "look over" part of the lesson at an additional price,seeing is believing,Have an outdoor area when weather permits to allow actual pitching off a dirt area. Kids also like to see their pitching speeds.

Not a bad idea. I've taken video in the past to review and comment. I can show my DD things to work on and has helped, but I'm sure I'm missing things.

 

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1. The HD Video and a quick playback on an HDTV integrated with the lesson would be a tremendous help. I have not seen a lot of use of this technology in any lessons. I do know that these kids are very visual and take to the technology easily. I find that when they see what the coach/teacher is talking about and know how that felt it is easier to duplicate the good especially if it occurs in the same moment.

We use this technique in practices. I see my dd work harder at the right thing. It is interesting in that when both the coach and the player slow it down the comments are much more specific and since they are now critiquing a movie the player doesn't take it so personally and it doesn't seem like picking. Most valuable, is that the pitcher will actually make the comments, suggestions and corrections with only a little coach input.

I am sure this technology in the hands of a real pitching coach would really open the players eyes and mechanical problems will much simpler to correct.

2. If you actually have a real dedicate pitching facility then you could certainly install dirt. It will take an additional work to maintain but their is nothing else like it to work on. This goes twice if you are training catchers.

3. Make sure you get excellent lighting. So many of these places are poorly lit. It makes the catching very difficult (and the video comes out poorly) Be very careful to avoid any lights that shine in the catchers eyes.

4. Create safe zone around the cages in order that the mom, dad and the extra kids are protected.

5. I hesitate to include this but if push comes to shove have a really nice restroom or two will bring them back.

Good Luck, I wish you the best!

 

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Hi Amielee, Good luck on your new facility. I have a question, while it is still cold out, do you rent a pitching lane for a girl to workout? If so, how much do you charge for the space, and what times are available?