Pitching and Pitchers Discussion Rise vs the Drop

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Since we are talking about effectiveness of a pitch, I think it would add value to the discussion by stating reasons for your preference (other than "I just like it").

Take turnover drop vs peel drop - For young kids I think it's a natural extension of a basic fastball, but by "peeling" the fingers up it gives another pitch option without having to learn a completely different motion, like the turnover. Then, after learning the turnover (at a later age) she will have two options for a drop (peel AND turnover), probably with different spin rates. Also, the turnover can be combined with a curve (drop curve) for two planes of movement. Care should be taken with the turnover so that they are using fingers/wrist and NOT elbow/shoulder to roll over the top of the ball. I see a lot of kids doing the "chicken wing", and it makes me cringe.

 

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Once again I agree with ya. I have seen many pitchers throwing the chicken wing drop. Where are these girls pitching coaches!! I prefer turn over drop over the peel. The peel doesn't drop off the table like I like to see. I also see pitchers trying to peel it and hopping over it. Keep your weight back kids. Who instructs these girls. Parents are forking out the money and bad body mechanics are being taught. No more chicken Wing!!! It should come down to the pitcher and her comfort level. Every pitcher is do different that pitching coaches need to be individualizing pitching plans for their girls. Let them feel what is comfortable to them. Also, explain how the pitch works, what your body has to do to accomplish the goal, where is the batter standing, and where do you want the ball to go if it is hit. Don't turn these girls into pitching machines.

 

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I'll agree that the extra 3 feet doesn't give a huge advantage for reaction time. However, a batter laying off a rise may not be entirely due to the quality of the pitch. The batter may have put a lot into vision training, which gives them an advantage for pitch recognition. Also, lots of pitchers/catchers get into a bad habit of rhythms and patterns. A smart batter knowing what pitch to expect, combined with great pitch recognition skills can easily trump an average rise ball pitcher.

I'll take a well thrown drop for younger kids until a decent rise is developed. A peel drop is very effective when thrown with great accuracy. But it must be thrown unpredictably.

Not true that a college pitcher MUST have a rise. Several of DD's team mates didn't really have an effective rise, BUT they made up for that with lots of other stuff. Comparable to saying a MLB pitcher MUST have a 90 mph fastball - we all know that's not so.

I received a full scholarship to a Div I school . I had all pitches except a rise that was more of an up shoot. Coaches knew it and for the first year of college I threw the spinner with a Classic C riseball. best of the best. One year later was aloud to use the ball. It can be developed at any age!!! If they want you bad enough and your other junk works they have coaches who can put it in!