Pitching and Pitchers Discussion "Pitching Instructor" or is it "Pitching Imposter"

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Central Ohio? Just how central is Zanesville? Alanna Comfort for one.

I'll second that Phil!

 

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Once you find a great instructor, the imposters stick out. There are some really great instructors that are definitely out there for the girls but unfortunately there are the imposters looking to pay the light bill. Kudos to those that are the true instructors and we are thankful for them.

 

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We were lucky enough to find a true local expert who has sent several girls to college. He is also very personable, and relates well to the girls. Whenever we are doing something new, or he is working to correct something, he gets out the video camera and breaks it down in slo-mo. If you want to have your DD really smile, have the instructor show them a before and after video....lol. I have become the "team pitching coach" by default for all three of my DD's teams. I do not know how many hours I have spent on the bucket, how many hours I have spent rolling on the floor in pain(dads know, moms don't ask...), but I and the other parents know it is a whole lot more time than the other coaches and parents have spent thinking about and seeing pitching. I AM NOT AN EXPERT. But, I can tell when a girl is going off the line of force, throwing her glove out, etc. I will not teach any child a pitch, how to do a windup, etc. Know what you know, know YOUR limitations, and act accordingly, and never be afraid to refer any child to an established pro. My biggest worry is he will retire before youngest DD graduates...lol.

 

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Doug Finch isn't just Jennie Finch's dad. He was her pitching and hitting coach/instructor since she was 8 years old. Doug has been instructing and putting on clinics long before Jennie gained all of this notariety.

But when she was just another 8 year old kid he was just another dad coaching his kid , alot of hitting and pitching coaches start with their own kids and it grows from that , dads dont get paid so no telling them how great they are for a payday ,but knowing what we dont know is important for everyone .

 

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I believe instructors who have played the game and had private instruction themselves can be some of the best instructors.

For me, my dad started to let me call pitches when I was 9. He told me I had the best view. I knew the ball was in my court. My dad listened to the instructors made me accountable for what I was learning. and of course he picked up on it, but he would never have the chance to ever do it. There is a difference. The feeling of having bases loaded 2 outs up by one and throwing a perfectly executed change up. Confidence, and Mental toughness. If you really know what being a student athlete is about you will be able to mold your students to understand what it takes to be at the top of your game and remain there!! You were there once, you lived it!!

Lessons should be tailored to the individuals body and sometimes teaching little kids you have to modify it for them. Each player is so different that it is important to really study their mechanics and tailor their instruction plan accordingly.

 

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I believe instructors who have played the game and had private instruction themselves can be some of the best instructors.

For me, my dad started to let me call pitches when I was 9. He told me I had the best view. I knew the ball was in my court. My dad listened to the instructors made me accountable for what I was learning. and of course he picked up on it, but he would never have the chance to ever do it. There is a difference. The feeling of having bases loaded 2 outs up by one and throwing a perfectly executed change up. Confidence, and Mental toughness. If you really know what being a student athlete is about you will be able to mold your students to understand what it takes to be at the top of your game and remain there!! You were there once, you lived it!!

Lessons should be tailored to the individuals body and sometimes teaching little kids you have to modify it for them. Each player is so different that it is important to really study their mechanics and tailor their instruction plan accordingly.

Well stated.

 

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I believe instructors who have played the game and had private instruction themselves can be some of the best instructors.

For me, my dad started to let me call pitches when I was 9. He told me I had the best view. I knew the ball was in my court. My dad listened to the instructors made me accountable for what I was learning. and of course he picked up on it, but he would never have the chance to ever do it. There is a difference. The feeling of having bases loaded 2 outs up by one and throwing a perfectly executed change up. Confidence, and Mental toughness. If you really know what being a student athlete is about you will be able to mold your students to understand what it takes to be at the top of your game and remain there!! You were there once, you lived it!!

Lessons should be tailored to the individuals body and sometimes teaching little kids you have to modify it for them. Each player is so different that it is important to really study their mechanics and tailor their instruction plan accordingly.

I don't get how this fits in with this thread.

 

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Re: "Pitching Instructor" or is it "Pitching Impostor"

Buck,

An instructor who doesn't eventually give ownership of the content being taught over to the student will have a student who will fail.

In other words my expectation is that my students will actually learn what I am teaching them. Not just show up to lessons and go through the motions of hitting or pitching. That is just a waist of my time and their parents money. This also means you have to have an instructor that actually teaches instead of preaches. On top of that I give them homework every week to work on before they get back to me. It holds both them and I accountable for success. I want to be held accountable. Some of my students. Not so much. The parents have an appreciation for me in that regard.

I think that is what was trying to be conveyed in that post.

Dana.

 

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Re: "Pitching Instructor" or is it "Pitching Impostor"

Buck,

An instructor who doesn't eventually give ownership of the content being taught over to the student will have a student who will fail.

In other words my expectation is that my students will actually learn what I am teaching them. Not just show up to lessons and go through the motions of hitting or pitching. That is just a waist of my time and their parents money. This also means you have to have an instructor that actually teaches instead of preaches. On top of that I give them homework every week to work on before they get back to me. It holds both them and I accountable for success. I want to be held accountable. Some of my students. Not so much. The parents have an appreciation for me in that regard.

I think that is what was trying to be conveyed in that post.

Dana.

You definitely walked the walk this weekend and did some teaching! Thanks again!!! Can't believe you flew up from the grand state of TX to help out the Cincy Static!!!!! The big guy must have some incriminating pictures...

 

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Re: "Pitching Instructor" or is it "Pitching Impostor"

You definitely walked the walk this weekend and did some teaching! Thanks again!!! Can't believe you flew up from the grand state of TX to help out the Cincy Static!!!!! The big guy must have some incriminating pictures...

No pictures however we have some good friends and some who want to learn more.

They also give back tons to the kids also.

 

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Re: "Pitching Instructor" or is it "Pitching Impostor"

Les,

I enjoyed this past weekend and meeting you and some of the fine people in your organization and across Ohio. There were people there from all across the state. Which speaks to the quality of the clinics that Howard and Crystal put together with all the various organizations.

I was very happy not only to help them but to get an opportunity to observe them in action at a clinic. It is a unique experience compared to other clinics I have attended.

Oh and Howard tried to get pictures but I was too quick. LOL

Dana.