Pitching and Pitchers Discussion whats better at 10u

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Tunnel change - is that similar to a "handshake" change?

What usually gives the backhand change away is turning the hand over too soon. If it's turned over high in the arm circle, it can be detected, and also the batter can see the difference in the arm circle. My DD threw a backhand, and it gave Larabee fits at Wright State - he was frustrated quite often - even yelling his famous "DO IT!" trying to get his batters to hold and wait for the pitch. He had a better perspective from the 3rd base coaches box. I think he was very good at picking up the change in the men's game, but I've seen very few typical women's college fastpitch hitters who can pick out a well concealed and accurately thrown backhand change. (Obviously not counting Bustos, Smith, Boulder's DD etc. etc.)

If I had another 10u DD, the only two pitches she would be throwing in games are a well placed fastball/peel drop (same motion, higher finish on peel) and a changeup. That's essentially three different speeds, and combined with great command, what more would you want?

 

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At 10u speed kills. with my dd we took the Michele Smith approach of throw as hard as you can first and then develop command. it is much easier to throw hard and learn command than it is to learn accuracy first and then maintain that accuracy while trying to throw harder. especially at 10 years old LEARNING is key. at 12 command and changes of speed are critical. after that speed, changes of speed, and movement are important but COMMAND is critical. not just "control" but total command of the pitch. being able to throw the pitch with speed, spin, and location as well as making subtle adjustments to locate the pitch within inches. That is command. IMHO

 

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@TNTCoach:

Congrats on your first post. And thanks for your perspective after having coached 10u.

 

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This pitcher threw a "Tunnel Change" not a back hand. I know because her and her dad taught my dd how to throw it later that day. IMO, the back hand change is very successful but to a good batter with an excellent eye, you can see the pitchers release and grip of the ball, especially at the younger ages. You see the pitchers back hand coming at you. It also takes alot of young pitchers to master. But yes, selling the pitch is huge.

If this is the taller girl, she threw a backhand change. It comes out of the back of her hand and it was nasty. Thrown like Lisa Fernandez. I umped a freindly with them and she was really good. Both pitchers were. They threw upper 40's with excellent change-ups and the did NOT miss their spots.

 

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Tunnel change - is that similar to a "handshake" change?

What usually gives the backhand change away is turning the hand over too soon. If it's turned over high in the arm circle, it can be detected, and also the batter can see the difference in the arm circle. My DD threw a backhand, and it gave Larabee fits at Wright State - he was frustrated quite often - even yelling his famous "DO IT!" trying to get his batters to hold and wait for the pitch. He had a better perspective from the 3rd base coaches box. I think he was very good at picking up the change in the men's game, but I've seen very few typical women's college fastpitch hitters who can pick out a well concealed and accurately thrown backhand change. (Obviously not counting Bustos, Smith, Boulder's DD etc. etc.)

If I had another 10u DD, the only two pitches she would be throwing in games are a well placed fastball/peel drop (same motion, higher finish on peel) and a changeup. That's essentially three different speeds, and combined with great command, what more would you want?

Yes, in college its very effective or once a pitcher masters it is very successful. Yes, the "Tunnel" is similar to the "Hand Shake" change (assuming the hand shake change is similar to the circle change).

If this is the taller girl, she threw a backhand change. It comes out of the back of her hand and it was nasty. Thrown like Lisa Fernandez. I umped a freindly with them and she was really good. Both pitchers were. They threw upper 40's with excellent change-ups and the did NOT miss their spots.

Yes, it was the taller pitcher who was their #2 and played SS. She was a beast. When we played them, she threw the "Tunnel" which her and her dad called it. She was a pick up player from Power Surge.