Live pitch practice plans?

[syndicate]

So what are you guys doing to keep live pitch practice efficient?

It is so hard to get a full team some quality live pitch in a good time frame...2 hour session doesn't get everyone in and out. Pitcher/Catcher changes, 1 pitcher is off, so it slows down the work.

Thanks in advance

[Tucson]

I don't have my team pitchers throw practice. I either bring in an older girl, or I move a screen in close and throw it myself.

If nothing else, I throw tennis balls overhand - from in front.

I limit each hitter to ten swings.

I am glad that you are aware of the problem with having too much down time.

I keep a girl hitting into a net and then moving to "on-deck" on swing number 9.

[Iluvblue]

We do not take BP in practice for the most part, but I do use pitchers for different situations.

EVERYTIME we use live pitchers we have people on base to work on the different types of jumps from different bases. We work squeeze plays, bunt and runs, hit and runs, steals, sac bunt jumps, every possible play we do, we work on it with kids on base. You can not simulate getting jumps while using a pitching machine. We would use a live hitter for all of those. I would use hitters to mostly work on the difference between sac bunts and squeeze play bunts. I need a pitcher to work on the timing of the play for all involved.

Baserunning and proper jumps are as important as any part of the game, and many teams just flat stink at it.

[syndicate]

We do not take BP in practice for the most part, but I do use pitchers for different situations.

EVERYTIME we use live pitchers we have people on base to work on the different types of jumps from different bases. We work squeeze plays, bunt and runs, hit and runs, steals, sac bunt jumps, every possible play we do, we work on it with kids on base. You can not simulate getting jumps while using a pitching machine. We would use a live hitter for all of those. I would use hitters to mostly work on the difference between sac bunts and squeeze play bunts. I need a pitcher to work on the timing of the play for all involved.

Baserunning and proper jumps are as important as any part of the game, and many teams just flat stink at it.

Oh you've seen my team baserun?!?!?

[scott]

I don't have our pitchers throw batting practice, but I do have them throw "at bat" practice.
It is safer that way.

We also have the batter run to the foul pole if they strike out.
Pitcher runs if the batter walks.

Try teaming up the girls (teams of two) with a runner on first.
Give the batter three outs to score the runner. It is fun and steps up the competition in practice.

[Iluvblue]

Then fix it. You can practice this for hours and the kids will get better.

If it is that bad, spend an entire practice on nothing but baserunning. It can be done. There are so many different situations and ways to work on baserunning that you can easily spend and entire 2 hour practice on baserunning.

[syndicate]

I don't have our pitchers throw batting practice, but I do have them throw "at bat" practice.
It is safer that way.

We also have the batter run to the foul pole if they strike out.
Pitcher runs if the batter walks.

Try teaming up the girls (teams of two) with a runner on first.
Give the batter three outs to score the runner. It is fun and steps up the competition in practice.

elaborate on this a bit, multiple pitchers ready to go? I have 10U...if the walks come I dont want to stop and wait... thanks

[Iluvblue]

Why make a kid run in practice for a mistake or something that happens in EVERY game.

Just looking in the paper today I see a game where a team struck out 15 times, 16 times, 11 times and 9 times. Strikeouts are as much a part of the game as hits. To punish a kid for that seems counterproductive to me.


I coached a team that struck out 20 times in a 7 inning game, yet still had a chance to tie the game with a runner at 3rd in the last inning.

We lost 1-0. By the way, the game was against the pitcher that led the state in Ks for 2 years in a row, it can happen when facing 65 mph rise balls in a HS game.

Should I have made them run after the game?

[hotwheels]

Have the batter go up with a 1-1 count. Makes the ABs go quicker. If they reach base they become runners so you also have situations to work on.
Make sure your pitchers are treating this as working against batters not batting practice. Their goal should be to strike the batters out or induce ground balls.

That's what we do and you're absolutely right! The pitcher must be trying to WIN the battle and isn't there to pitch batting practice.....It's pitching practice too!!! Nice Point Spaz!

[scott]

I don't have our pitchers throw batting practice, but I do have them throw "at bat" practice.
It is safer that way.

We also have the batter run to the foul pole if they strike out.
Pitcher runs if the batter walks.

Try teaming up the girls (teams of two) with a runner on first.
Give the batter three outs to score the runner. It is fun and steps up the competition in practice.

elaborate on this a bit, multiple pitchers ready to go? I have 10U...if the walks come I dont want to stop and wait... thanks

Pitcher runs after practice.