U16, U14, U12, U10,TIGER BALL
...Heros get remembered, but legends never die...
"Become a Legend"
I'm a strong beliver that a coach can be one of the most influential people in a young players life. Many players and former players attribute a large portion of thier success in life to things they learned on the field from a few great coaches. We're not talking ground balls or how to hit, we're talking about teamwork, perserverance, work ethic and having a positive attitude. Skills that not only helped them on the field, but in life.
Coaches can instill a love for the game that can last a lifetime. Good coaches can keeps kids partipating for year and years. Its takes a lot of hard work, dedication and effort to be a coach.
CALLING the GAME
When calling the game at any level there are many things that need to be taken into consideration. there should be a distinct order in which these things are considered. one of the biggest mistakes is forgetting about the order. here are a list of seven things that should be considered.
1. The Count- The number one rule pitchers should follow when throwing a game is to stay ahead in the count. When they are not ahead in the count, then they have to call their best pitches.
the batter has the advantage here, knowing you have to bring down the middle Example, when the count is 0-0 they should be calling their best pitches. When the count is 1-1 or 2-2, they should again be calling thei best pitches, if this philosophy is used you should never fall behind in the count.
2. The Pitchers Abilities- What does Your pitcher do best? Help her identify her "strike" pitches, "marginal" pitches and "waste" pitches. There may be some that carry over into another catagorey, depending on the day. Her best pitches should be saved for for the times she needs a strike and her worst for the times she dont. Be careful not to get caught up in the hitters abilities, if you know she can't hit a rise ball, doesn't mean you should be calling a riseball all the time. this is how you fall behind in the count.
3. The Hitters Abilities- There are many clues to a hitters abilities, even when you have never faced her: what part of the line-up is she batting in, her size, warm up swings and so on. Singles hitters are the toughest, they are generally hitters with compact swings that will make contact with anything. The best way to attack them is by mixing all pitches and locations. Power hitters are usally all or none and you can find a weakness in thier approach. However be cautious in finding thier weakness as they will make adjustments too. Power hitters are often suscepible to off-speed pitches. Weak hitters should be approached with few off-speed pitches and a agressive approach by the pitcher. I tell my pitchers not too get too "fine" painting the edges of the plate on weak hitters. Remember there are very few hard and fast rules when reading hitters. as soon as you think you have them figured out they will make an adjustment.
4. Situation of the Game- A bunt situation may call for a rise ball.
With a runner on third and less then two outs the pitcher is required to keep the ball low. However the count, the pitchers ability, and the hitters ability should be consider first, before giving way to what the situation calls for.
5. Probable Outcome of the Game- A call may be dictated by what the proable outcome is, should the batter hit the pitch. The proable outcome of a pitch thrown low and outside is to the opposite field on the ground; thrown low and inside, pulled on the ground; thrown high and outside, opposite field in the air.
6. Field Conditions- Hard ground may cause a dropball pitcher a great deal of trouble. Short fences may be daunting for a rise ball pitcher. Each Field and game will offer different challenges that will have to be taken into consideration.
7. Umpire- There are three strike zones during a game. the one described by the rulebook, the one the competitors see, and the one the umpire sees. The ONLY one that matters is the one the umpire sees. If he or she is calling a high strike zone or a low strike zone, you need to adjust.
In my expierence the most succesful pithchers are the ones who are not affraid to attack the batter by being agressive in the strike zone ONLY when necessary. when it is not necessary to throw a strike, pick around the corners of the plate. Hitters will be forced to swing at close pitches because they are behing in the count. It's all about control. If the pithcher is in controll of where she puts the pitches, she'll be in controll of the game.
What every young Pitcher needs To Know...
Am I spinning my softball riseball enough to 'rise', or my baseball curveball enough to break strongly?
Am I putting good 'movement' on my fastball?
Which type of drop-ball fastpitch release technique is most effective for me?
As I progress from high school to college to the pro's, how much should my spin rate increase?
Below are tables showing what kind of performance can be expected from high school and college pitchers. As seen in the "Range" column, much difference exists in the spin rates created by poor vs. exceptional breaking ball pitchers.A good breaking ball (curveball, riseball, dropball, or screwball) requires at least 19 RPS. Some pitchers achieve more than 22 RPS consistently with their breaking balls. A few are known to throw riseballs consistently at 30 RPS. In high school the best breaking balls pitchers typically throw around 23 RPS. There is more variability in the spin rate on fastballs, depending on the type of fastball thrown and whether the pitcher is trying to put movement on the pitch. Although the spin rates for fastpitch softball are slower than for baseball, the effect of spin is more pronounced than with baseballs because of the larger surface area and higher seams of a softball.
GENERAL GUIDELINE FOR JUNIOR & SENIOR YEAR HIGH SCHOOL PITCHERS 3.5: If an opponent hits a home run, you are obliged to hit another batter with a pitch, though you must not throw this pitch in the vicinity of the head. After the game, you must maintain to reporters that you were simply trying to establish the inside part of the plate. 3.51: The reporters must quote you as if it's really true. 3.51 (b): When an opponent hits a teammate with a pitch, you are obliged to retaliate by hitting an opponent with a pitch. After the game, you must maintain to reporters that your opponent was throwing at your team but that you were simply trying to establish the inside part of the plate. 3.51 (c): The reporters must quote you as if it's really true.
SPIN RATE (RPS)
less than 17.0 Needs work
17.0 – 18.9 Average
19.0 - 21.9 Good
22.0 and more Excellent
BREAKING BALL SPIN RATE GUIDELINE FOR DIVISION I COLLEGE FASTPITCH SOFTBALL:
(From surveyed D-1 college coaches.)
SPIN RATE (RPS)
less than 20.0 Needs work
20.0 - 21.9 Average
22.0 - 24.9 Good
25.0 and up Excellent
"JUST FOR FUN"
This is not to be taken too seriously, and the DEMONS do not endorse this behavior
Taken from "ESPN"
5.53: When a pitcher has a no-hitter going, you must avoid the words "no-hitter" as scrupulously as a sportswriter would say, "Let me get the check." Between innings you also are to leave the pitcher sitting by himself as if he were carrying the Ebola virus.
MASS (weight/length) X SPEED (swing speed) = POWER
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AGE
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5-7
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8-9
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10
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11-12
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13-14
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15-16
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LENGTH
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24"-26"
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26"-28"
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28"-29"
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30"-31"
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31"-32"
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32"-33"
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MOST POPULAR BAT SIZES BY AGE How to Choose Your Softball Bat: Few decisions impact your game as much as choosing the perfect bat. You want a bat that’s the right size, right weight and right length for you–and within your budget. Improvements in technology have given today’s ball players more options than ever, so you’re sure to find a bat that feels like it was custom made for you. You just have to do your homework to find it. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when making your selection: Weight: League requirements: Feel: So you’ve chosen your bat. Now what? Bat Care Tips
As a general rule, bigger, stronger players usually prefer a heavier bat for maximum power. Smaller players usually benefit from a lighter bat that allows greater bat speed. To determine the weight that’s right for you, swing a variety of bats and see how much weight you’re comfortable with.
Length:
Length and weight combine for peak performance. A longer bat gives you greater reach, allowing you to hit balls on the other side of the plate. But remember that a longer bat may be heavier, and the extra weight could slow you down. Like checking the weight, you need to swing bats of different lengths to decide what length best suits you.
Virtually all leagues have their own bat requirements and restrictions. To avoid costly surprises, make sure you know all league requirements before you go bat shopping.
This may be the most important factor. Make sure the bat feels right to you, like an extension of your arm and hand. After all, you’re going to be spending quite a bit of time together.
You want to be comfortable and confident with your bat before you swing it in a win-or-lose situation, so take it to the practice field or batting cage and get in a few hits
à Limit the bat to individual use
à Do not use in temperatures below 60°F (16°C)
à Do not store the bat in extremely hot or cold temperature areas
à Do not clean metal cleats with the bat
à Use regulation, leather covered, baseball and softballs. NOT rubber cage balls
à Do not hit waterlogged balls
à Routinely check your bat for any damage
à Rotate your bat ¼ turn each swing ( Rotation Index)
