Where do they learn?

[txfirewife99]

I completely disagree with your comment. In my experience, it "obviously is their daddy" who is the first step in taking a pitcher from a good 10u or 12u pitcher to a future college prospect. Maybe even more so than who their pitching coach is.

I know very, very, very few such top-notch college pitchers, if any, whose daddy' (or mommies) s have not become very accomplished and knowledgeable about pitching in their own right. Show me a truly gifted pitcher without a daddy willing to sit on the bucket, learn the technique side-by-side with their DD, and motivate their DD when the going gets tough, and I'll show you pitcher who never gets out of a high school circle.

At 14u, get yourself an experience coach with a resume. I recommend: Brian Menefree, Mark Braddock, Noble Hansard, Ken Graves, in no particular order.

Ok, so I made a mistake in stating it "obviously isn't their daddy". (yes a woman admits making a mistake) So, I will eat my words, because in my case it is mommy.

My husband and I are the parents on the bucket and watching from the sidelines finding our selves stating some of the same things our instructor says. However, her response to us is much different than hearing it from someone who is not her parent. (another post all together ) HOWEVER, if it weren't for our instructor, our daughter wouldn't be the player she is today or what she might be in the future. I nor my husband would ever be able to get her to that level alone!!!

And ultimately I realize it is the girl herself, who puts in the most time and effort and has to have the desire, ability, and determination to earn that spot in the circle.

Thanks for giving me a few names. Ken Graves is one I have heard. All positive!!! None you listed are the instructor we use.

My point is its not only Daddy or Mommy (although they devote the most time $$ ), most of the time there is a well established instructor helping parents get their daughter to that next level.

[DP3816]

. . . It obviously isn't their daddy, but rather their daddy's money who is making them top players.

I completely disagree with your comment. In my experience, it "obviously is their daddy" who is the first step in taking a pitcher from a good 10u or 12u pitcher to a future college prospect. Maybe even more so than who their pitching coach is.

I know very, very, very few such top-notch college pitchers, if any, whose daddy' (or mommies) s have not become very accomplished and knowledgeable about pitching in their own right. Show me a truly gifted pitcher without a daddy willing to sit on the bucket, learn the technique side-by-side with their DD, and motivate their DD when the going gets tough, and I'll show you pitcher who never gets out of a high school circle.

At 14u, get yourself an experience coach with a resume. I recommend: Brian Menefree, Mark Braddock, Noble Hansard, Ken Graves, in no particular order.

I think you have to get them to a coach as soon as they step in the circle. With a pitching coach I think the kid will take it more seriously. I played mens fastpitch when I was young, the older guys recruited us kids to catch for them. I learned a lot about fastpitch motions from those old guys. I could teach a kid to pitch but I've never pitched myself and I would never coach a team just to keep my girl in the circle. Nope, I take her to a coach who has been there and pitched at the highest levels. The best coaches I know of here in the Houston area are Ragan Blake-Cain, Eddie Martwick and Amanda Scarborough. In short , if they go to a good coach, work hard, don't play for daddy or mommy and any other relatives then you can honestly say that your DD has succeeded on her own.

[4-bos]

you just named several pitching coaches have any of them ever actually pitched in a game? we know ken graves never played fastpitch much less ever pitch a game. I'm so tired of MEN calling themselves
"pitching coaches" when they never even played the game

[muzenewz]

Robert Andaya....old Old OLD school hard-ass and task master/drill sergeant...despised by many (most?) and loved by some, but respected by all for his knowledge and experience. If your DD isn't physically strong, mentally focused and emotionally tough--she will be. Andaya ain't gonna win any popularity contests--in fact, he won't even get nominated, but your DD will become a complete pitcher, and not just a thrower.

[TXfastpitchsoftball]

you just named several pitching coaches have any of them ever actually pitched in a game? we know ken graves never played fastpitch much less ever pitch a game. I'm so tired of MEN calling themselves
"pitching coaches" when they never even played the game

Brian Menefee. You get ten swings. Fifty bucks says you (are the hitter of your choice) doesn't put the ball in the grass. Noble Hansard would clown you or your best hitter in his heyday. Sorry, but the best pitchers in the WORLD are MEN! Guy from Australian national team throws 87 mph from 46 feet.

[DonnieS]

At 14u, get yourself an experience coach with a resume. I recommend: Brian Menefree, Mark Braddock, Noble Hansard, Ken Graves, in no particular order.

I take her to a coach who has been there and pitched at the highest levels. The best coaches I know of here in the Houston area are Ragan Blake-Cain, Eddie Martwick and Amanda Scarborough. In short , if they go to a good coach, work hard, don't play for daddy or mommy and any other relatives then you can honestly say that your DD has succeeded on her own.[/quote]

DP, up in the Houston area, I would recommend Bobby Smith as well - check his website http://www.texasfastpitch.com/ to keep up with where he is. His gift as my dd and I see it is his ability to develop movement. My dd was blessed with decent speed and control since she started - and had one 'natural' movement pitch besides a changeup, but struggled with movement pitches. Bobby teaches it very well - the good thing about Bobby is he is not a huge guy with long arms (Kat O (someone he worked with along the way)) - so in my opinion he shows its very doable to not have huge hands, etc. to be able to have 'drill you down in the ground' movement pitches. We cant work with him now - but when we can again, we will.

[4-bos]

i keep hearing about houston i was talking about the so called pitching coaches in the dfw area

[Joe]

you just named several pitching coaches have any of them ever actually pitched in a game? we know ken graves never played fastpitch much less ever pitch a game. I'm so tired of MEN calling themselves
"pitching coaches" when they never even played the game

Shut up dufus...

Graves?...probably sent no less than about 50 to D1s
Menefee?...the same...about 50+
Hansard? Coached Megan Denny...the scrub who ended up at UT Austin for four years with a full ride.

It's okay now....to take foot out of mouth

[4-bos]

dufus, megan denny was a jim davis girl

[Joe]

dufus, megan denny was a jim davis girl

Double D (Dufus), maybe so, but Hansard was a huge part of her development as an elite athlete in TB, HS and onto college.

Before slamming MEN on HB, you should go back to HB 101 and learn how to roll with the big boys. Otherwise...your visits here could be rough sailing...