Pitching and Pitchers Discussion Who are the top pitching coaches in NE Ohio?

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I'm gonna go out on a limb here. 6 pitches? Let's see, 4 seam fastball, 2 seam fastball, Peel Drop, Back hand changeup, horseshoe changeup, and ummmmm circle changeup?

 

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you just fell off your limb.

 

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I just crossed that pitching coach off my list :lmao:

 

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I am not sure haveaclue has a clue. It sounds like you have a very young DD, and you are new to Travel Ball and what it has to offer. Some parents it takes a couple years to have REALISTIC views of what your DD can do. I have heard a lot of parents over the years say how many pitches their kid can throw........it always make me chuckle when I hear someone tell me their 10 year old can throw 4, 5, or even 6 different pitches. If you have a pitching coach that is telling you your 10 year old has 6 different pitches and she can throw them all well, it may be time for a new pitching coach.

If you want a realistic view of what your DD really can do, then you need to go see Dave Leffew. He is probably one of the best there is. 2 of his pitchers went 14-2 in the 18u ASA/USA Nationals in Vegas. That is against the best of the best, minus 18u Gold. One of these 2 pitchers won the Division 1 State championship this year.

Haveaclue, good luck with your DD, if this girl your talking about is, but be REALISTIC about what she can do.

 

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We can get back to the “Top Pitching Coaches” topic by recognizing that there is a clear difference between “having 6 pitches” and “having been shown the basics of 6 pitches”.

With regard to the top pitching coaches, like so many other things, a lot depends upon the athlete’s goal(s) and level of commitment. Dave Leffew has proven to be outstanding with the “student” who is truly committed to working hard at improvement. At a younger age, the always enjoyable Bill Hillhouse clinic or two can serve as a great means of getting an aspiring student hooked on the idea of pitching. And there are teachers like Jeanette Howard (formerly Brezina) (Explosive Fastpitch in Strongsville) who can be a good option for aspiring pitchers who are somewhere in between.

Particularly at the younger ages, a key is identifying a pitching coach who FOR the SPECIFIC ATHLETE can reach the chemistry of balance between giving feedback that promotes the student’s self-confidence and self-esteem, yet while giving the student just enough stretch goals to inspire improvement.

The OFC forum canNOT possibly provide a “one size fits all” answer. OFC will offer some great ideas, but the reader has to work to see what fits best with a specific girl’s needs and level of commitment.

 

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ive run into alot of pitchers who see leffew.are pitching coach has alot of respect for him. the one thing the other pitchers are surprised about , iswhy their not taught more pitches from leffew(pitcher on my dd team see's leffew). iknow it sounds far fetched. but why can't you teach someone at a young age to throw more than a fastball and change up? i know of a pitcher who see's leffew. and she throws 5 pitches at 10u.(she's on one of the top 2 teams in the state. not sure how long or even if she still see' him). every pitching coach has thereown way of doing things. im not knocking anyone. i think its a testament to are coach to be able to accomplish this training. im proud of our pitching coach. i didn't mean to come across as arragent. my dd has been pitching travel since she was 8. playing for 10u teams. she will be moving up this year.

 

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ive run into alot of pitchers who see leffew.are pitching coach has alot of respect for him. the one thing the other pitchers are surprised about , iswhy their not taught more pitches from leffew(pitcher on my dd team see's leffew). iknow it sounds far fetched. but why can't you teach someone at a young age to throw more than a fastball and change up? i know of a pitcher who see's leffew. and she throws 5 pitches at 10u.(she's on one of the top 2 teams in the state. not sure how long or even if she still see' him). every pitching coach has thereown way of doing things. im not knocking anyone. i think its a testament to are coach to be able to accomplish this training. im proud of our pitching coach. i didn't mean to come across as arragent. my dd has been pitching travel since she was 8. playing for 10u teams. she will be moving up this year.

Mastery of a pitch is essential before moving to the next, first and foremost. Second, I have seen a number of younger players injuries to the shoulder due to not having the necessary strength of the muscles in the shoulder to throw the pitches which require more of a torquing movement. This may not show up for a couple of years, but it all steams from the same issue, lack of core strength and shoulder development.

You are right it is a matter of theory and what works for one child may not work for another. . .JMHO

 

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i agree. are pitching coach understands the technique of all the pitches. and uses different drills for developing proper strenght and delivery of those pitches. mastery of a pitch comes with time and practice. my dd is in no way a master at any pitch. but still uses them effectively in a game. the pitches may not move or hit there spot all the time( the rise ball in the dirt). but with proper training she will get better.

 

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Another vote for Dave Leffew

 

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First off there is probably a reason nobody has heard of him. The problem these days are all the Dads who were taking their DD's to pitching lessons over the years decide to make some money on the side. Eventually DD graduates and moves on and Daddy decides that he is a pitching coach. Now Daddy has been to enough pitching lessons over the years and knows enough about the basics to make a newbie Dad believe that he knows what he is talking about and can help a 8-10 year old. Daddy wanna be pitching coach is just stealing their money. My rule of thumb is, check out alot of different coaches. Sit down on your bucket and have said pitching coach throw you some pitches. If he/she can't make a drop ball drop, or throw a change up or even throw the ball 40 mph don't throw your money away. Yes I know there are a few exceptions to the rule. But they are a very few. Haveaclue, you still haven't told us what team your DD plays for. I'm sure there is a reason for that also.

 

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My daughter sees Josie Henry with Cleveland State. She has worked great with my daughter who is 10U, and has 4 pitches. My understanding, she was taught by Dave Leffew. She'll have a clinic in the winter since college is about to start back up.

 

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diamond chix 98

 

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diamond chix 98

I'm pretty sure that coaches daughter goes to Leffew.

 

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Mastery of a pitch is essential before moving to the next, first and foremost. Second, I have seen a number of younger players injuries to the shoulder due to not having the necessary strength of the muscles in the shoulder to throw the pitches which require more of a torquing movement. This may not show up for a couple of years, but it all steams from the same issue, lack of core strength and shoulder development.

You are right it is a matter of theory and what works for one child may not work for another. . .JMHO

Well said.

 

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Have to throw Roger Black into the mix. Excellent instructor. His philosphy is simple you cannot move on to 6 pitches until you master one. He keeps it simple. I can't help my self this is funny. My dd was working out at a indoor facility and Bykowski (spelling) was there and he offered to help with my dd. He uses the handshake method. Terrible does not promote any movement with this style. But I guess it works for some people. If anyone needs Roger Blacks number pm me you can't go wrong.

 

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haveaclue I remember her she had excellent screwball and riseball. LOL

 

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Well said, Feisty. There is no once size fits all for pitching coaches. Our dd started pitching late (She was almost 12.) And started working on her mechanics with a college pitcher last fall, then dd started working with Marie Shaver this spring. We couldn't be more pleased with how things are working. Our dd is learning to build a solid base, so she can self-diagnose when things are going wrong, or right. She is learning how to think like a pitchers, thanks to Marie, and working on on the mental side of being in the circle, again, thanks to Marie.

Dave Leffew has a well deserved reputation as a pitching coach. Yet, there are some girls, and parents as well, who will not mesh with with a pitching coach, and I know of some who went to see Dave once and that was it. You've got to find a coach who clicks with your student.

Our dd's coach said that to learn a new pitch, you've to throw it thousands of time in practice to master it. That sounds about right to me. Aside from rare circumstances, pitchers are made through effort, work and committment. Constantly building on what you've learned, allows the pitcher to get better. Growing, getting stronger allows a pitcher to throw different pitches.

Sorry this is so long, but I think there is no easy way to reach success, and I view blanket statements with a somewhat jaundiced eye.

 

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I keep coming back to Radara McHugh/Akron Racers. She not only teaches the physical but also the mental aspects of the position. She recently came out of retirement to pitch again for the Racers. DD is going on her third year with Radara.

Bottom line, the pitcher/student must be able to connect to and respond to the pitching coach and the challenges she/he presents.

 

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how do u get ahold of her?

 

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You can look up the racers info here on OFC and probably shoot her an email.