Pitching Little League to Babe Ruth

1. PitchingLittle League to Babe Ruth Pat Berger Varsity Head Coach Hopkins High School

2. Six Ways to be a Better Coach* • 1. Use the first few seconds to connect on an emotional level. • 2. Avoid giving long speeches-Instead, deliver vivid chunks of information. • 3. Be allergic to “mushy” language.

3. Six Ways to be a Better Coach (ctd)* • 4. Make a scorecard for learning. • 5. Maximize “Reachfulness” • 6. Aim to create Independent Learners.

4. Basic Pitching Skills • Warming up Properly. • Teach the stages of pitching. • Practice pitching frequently. • Use other drills. • The mental part of pitching.

5. Warming Up Properly • Do your best coaching now. • Instruct first, then demonstrate. • Make sure they do it right.

6. 1- Wrist Toss on Two Knees • Four seam grip. • Release point level with shoulder. • Spin the ball.

9. 2-Elbow to Wrist Toss • Same as step one. • Glove on. Start out front, pull back towards ear, then back forward releasing ball. • Elbow level with shoulder. • Release out front.

11. 3- One Knee Throwing • Kneel on throwing knee. • Start at gathering position. • Tell kids to get to “Umpire Says Safe”. • Pull glove into chest, throw ball and follow through over knee.

13. 4-Stride, Stop, Check, Throw • Player strides like he is going to throw to their partner. • Stop at Power Position. • Look back to check that fingers are on top of the ball directly behind. • Look back at target and finish throw.

14. Power Position

15. 5- Put it Together • Step and throw without pausing. • Every throw has a purpose. • Always work on hitting target. • Gradually back up to stretch out arm.

16. Long Toss Example • http://youtu.be/9w3xwYIx17s

17. The Stages of Pitching • Balance • Power • Delivery • Follow Through

18. Balance Point • Stay tall, but bend back knee. • Relax toe. • Lead with chin. • Focus on target. • Don’t rush.

23. Power Position • Arms spread. • Creating downward plane towards plate. • Fingers on top of the ball. • Weight should be where the ball is.

28. Delivery • Lead arm pulled in toward body. • Concentrating on release point. • Consistent arm slot and speed.

32. Release Point • Ball Rotation • Matching stride with release.

35. Follow Through • Kick back leg “over the chair”. • Arm continues to natural deceleration. • Ready to field the ball.

38. Teach the Changeup! • Different grips for different ages/pitchers. • Circle, Pitch Fork, Split grips. • Examples with baseballs. • How to get good at throwing the changeup.

39. Correcting Mistakes • Throwing Too High • Releasing the ball too early. They should work on step one of playing catch to reestablish proper release point. • Stride is too short, causing the arm to release the ball too early. Have them practice their stride without throwing a ball. • Standing too tall, creating an upward plane towards target. Ball will sail. Work on playing catch close together. • Stride too long. Arm tries to compensate by throwing up hill. Follow same routine as striding too short.

40. Correcting Mistakes ctd. • Throwing Too Low • Releasing the ball too late. Step one of playing catch work. • Stride is too long. Follow stride routine. • Stride is too short. Same as above.

41. Correcting Mistakes ctd • Missing Targets • Teach four seam grip. • Make sure they are stepping at their target. • Make sure their fingers are on top of the ball. • Watch their release point. • Shorten the distance the player has to throw. • Use wall drill. • Put them in a position to succeed.

42. Practice Pitching! • Pitchers get better at pitching by practicing pitching! • Repetitions with less effort. • Off the mound and flat ground. • Work situations (0-0 count, 0-2 count, inside, outside, take situations, etc.)

43. Drills • Towel drill • Black and white ball • Blind fold • Inside outside • Long toss • 21 • Simulated game • Screen Throwing • Target practice at each step • Freeze

44. Pitcher Mentality • Need to know when to forget and when to remember. • Keep the game moving. • Don’t show up the umpire. • Only control what you can control. • Be in command at all times!

45. Pitch to Contact- Walks Are Not Acceptable • Goal is not to strike everyone out. • Goal is to pitch late into the game. • Trust your defense. • Make hitters earn their way on base. • Walks lead to runs. We want to prevent runs.

46. 2015 Hopkins Baseball Youth Coaches Clinic • Welcome! • We will be starting at 6:00. • There are three presenters tonight.

47. Tonight’s Schedule 6:00-7:00: Basic practice and game set-up, with an emphasis on coaching your own child. Kevin Athmann (Former Hopkins youth and high school coach.) 7:00-8:00: Correct throwing fundamentals with a focus on pitching. Proper mechanics, drills, and grips will be discussed Pat Berger (Hopkins High School Varsity Head Coach).

48. Tonight’s Schedule Ctd. • 8:00-9:00: Coaching the youth catcher. Drills and skills will be discussed. Josh Hintz (Hopkins High School Varsity Associate Head Coach.)