Is there..

**philliesfan980** · 05-04-2003, 05:58 PM

Re: Is there..

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
Well I'm a freshman pitcher on the varsity baseball team and I'll tell you that all you need for success is a fastball and a changeup. When located and used well, they are the best 1 and 2 pitches in the game.

<hr /></blockquote>

Yep. Hands down the changeup is the toughest pitch to hit in the majors (if used properly of course). Its the reason for Pedro's success.

**philliesfan980** · 05-04-2003, 05:58 PM

Re: Is there..

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
Well I'm a freshman pitcher on the varsity baseball team and I'll tell you that all you need for success is a fastball and a changeup. When located and used well, they are the best 1 and 2 pitches in the game.

<hr /></blockquote>

Yep. Hands down the changeup is the toughest pitch to hit in the majors (if used properly of course). Its the reason for Pedro's success.

**skitch** · 05-04-2003, 06:09 PM

Re: Is there..

Vince, what's the site?

I don't pitch for my HS team, I play middle infield and third base, but still, it'd be ncie to suprise some people during warmups.

**skitch** · 05-04-2003, 06:09 PM

Re: Is there..

Vince, what's the site?

I don't pitch for my HS team, I play middle infield and third base, but still, it'd be ncie to suprise some people during warmups.

**NYJets** · 05-04-2003, 06:15 PM

Re: Is there..

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
Vince, what's the site?

I don't pitch for my HS team, I play middle infield and third base, but still, it'd be ncie to suprise some people during warmups.

I don't pitch either, but I can throw a better curve ball than most of the pitchers on the team. It's fun to throw it in warmups, and look at there reaction trying to catch it when they didn't know it was coming.

**NYJets** · 05-04-2003, 06:15 PM

Re: Is there..

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
Vince, what's the site?

I don't pitch for my HS team, I play middle infield and third base, but still, it'd be ncie to suprise some people during warmups.

I don't pitch either, but I can throw a better curve ball than most of the pitchers on the team. It's fun to throw it in warmups, and look at there reaction trying to catch it when they didn't know it was coming.

**skitch** · 05-04-2003, 06:17 PM

Re: Is there..

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
Vince, what's the site?

I don't pitch for my HS team, I play middle infield and third base, but still, it'd be ncie to suprise some people during warmups.

I don't pitch either, but I can throw a better curve ball than most of the pitchers on the team. It's fun to throw it in warmups, and look at there reaction trying to catch it when they didn't know it was coming.

<hr /></blockquote>

LoL Exactly! They start to the side, thinking its a wild throw, then have to quickly dart the other way to catch an unexpected curve.

**skitch** · 05-04-2003, 06:17 PM

Re: Is there..

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
Vince, what's the site?

I don't pitch for my HS team, I play middle infield and third base, but still, it'd be ncie to suprise some people during warmups.

I don't pitch either, but I can throw a better curve ball than most of the pitchers on the team. It's fun to throw it in warmups, and look at there reaction trying to catch it when they didn't know it was coming.

<hr /></blockquote>

LoL Exactly! They start to the side, thinking its a wild throw, then have to quickly dart the other way to catch an unexpected curve.

**pfunk** · 05-04-2003, 06:32 PM

Re: Is there..

if you are younger than 14 you really should stay away from the curve entirely. Even 14-16 you should throw it very rarely. There is a thing in your arm called a growth plate that is very tender until you reach a certain age. If you thow breaking pitches you are likely to damage your growth plate. Then you end up with one arm shorter than the other.

I agree with whoever suggested learning a changeup. It amazes me that so many major leaguers can throw a fastball and a curve or slider but don't have an effective changeup. No matter what age you are, if you are learning to pitch right now, forget the breaking balls and focus totally on good mechanics. Once you have consistent control of a fastball and mechanics that don't leave your arm hanging, than learn a changeup. Get good control of those two pitches and then learn a curve (if you are over 14) and throw it now and then just to keep hitters off balance.

I know you are probably thinking "PFunk, chill out man, I'm just trying to impress my friends this summer, not become a pro." That's fine, but take it from someone who has been around youth and adult baseball a long time, you don't want to risk serious arm injury. It doesn't take much to do damage, especially if you don't know how to warm up and stretch properly. Ten years from now when you can't have a catch with your friend or your son because you were "impressing your friends" you will wish you took time to do it the right way.

Sorry to be so negative but I just attended a conference a few weeks back with Tim Wakefield, the Red Sox head trainer and the head orthopedic surgeon at St. Elizabeth's in Boston where the Sox go, and the doctor was talking about the amount of ligament replacement (Tommy John) surgeries on teens being on the rise.

Trust me, a curveball is like Golf or Bowling, easy to learn, hard to master. Take your time and worry about mechanics and control first and don't rush into the breaking balls.

**pfunk** · 05-04-2003, 06:32 PM

Re: Is there..

if you are younger than 14 you really should stay away from the curve entirely. Even 14-16 you should throw it very rarely. There is a thing in your arm called a growth plate that is very tender until you reach a certain age. If you thow breaking pitches you are likely to damage your growth plate. Then you end up with one arm shorter than the other.

I agree with whoever suggested learning a changeup. It amazes me that so many major leaguers can throw a fastball and a curve or slider but don't have an effective changeup. No matter what age you are, if you are learning to pitch right now, forget the breaking balls and focus totally on good mechanics. Once you have consistent control of a fastball and mechanics that don't leave your arm hanging, than learn a changeup. Get good control of those two pitches and then learn a curve (if you are over 14) and throw it now and then just to keep hitters off balance.

I know you are probably thinking "PFunk, chill out man, I'm just trying to impress my friends this summer, not become a pro." That's fine, but take it from someone who has been around youth and adult baseball a long time, you don't want to risk serious arm injury. It doesn't take much to do damage, especially if you don't know how to warm up and stretch properly. Ten years from now when you can't have a catch with your friend or your son because you were "impressing your friends" you will wish you took time to do it the right way.

Sorry to be so negative but I just attended a conference a few weeks back with Tim Wakefield, the Red Sox head trainer and the head orthopedic surgeon at St. Elizabeth's in Boston where the Sox go, and the doctor was talking about the amount of ligament replacement (Tommy John) surgeries on teens being on the rise.

Trust me, a curveball is like Golf or Bowling, easy to learn, hard to master. Take your time and worry about mechanics and control first and don't rush into the breaking balls.

**philliesfan980** · 05-04-2003, 06:46 PM

Re: Is there..

Wow Pfunk, what do you do for a living that lets you hang out with pro's like Wakefield? But I'd have to agree with all of your advise. Just learn the basics first, then move to the changeup, then throw the curve.

**philliesfan980** · 05-04-2003, 06:46 PM

Re: Is there..

Wow Pfunk, what do you do for a living that lets you hang out with pro's like Wakefield? But I'd have to agree with all of your advise. Just learn the basics first, then move to the changeup, then throw the curve.

**pfunk** · 05-04-2003, 07:06 PM

Re: Is there..

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
Wow Pfunk, what do you do for a living that lets you hang out with pro's like Wakefield? But I'd have to agree with all of your advise. Just learn the basics first, then move to the changeup, then throw the curve.

<hr /></blockquote>

I run a boys and girls club site, we were invited to the conference to give the kids a chance to learn from those guys and to meet Wake. He is a fantastic guy too, was really great to the kids and gave them excellent advice.

In previous posts I mentioned teaching history. While I do not currently teach, I was a HS teacher before taking the Boys and Girls Club job, so technically i am not currently a teacher, but its not that different. Just figured I'd point that out before someone thinks they've caught me in a lie

**pfunk** · 05-04-2003, 07:06 PM

Re: Is there..

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
Wow Pfunk, what do you do for a living that lets you hang out with pro's like Wakefield? But I'd have to agree with all of your advise. Just learn the basics first, then move to the changeup, then throw the curve.

<hr /></blockquote>

I run a boys and girls club site, we were invited to the conference to give the kids a chance to learn from those guys and to meet Wake. He is a fantastic guy too, was really great to the kids and gave them excellent advice.

In previous posts I mentioned teaching history. While I do not currently teach, I was a HS teacher before taking the Boys and Girls Club job, so technically i am not currently a teacher, but its not that different. Just figured I'd point that out before someone thinks they've caught me in a lie

**MuffinMcFluffin** · 05-04-2003, 07:08 PM

Re: Is there..

I am also a freshman pitcher on my varsity team, and let me tell you to throw fastballs about 85% of the time. If you are a starter, face your first 9 hitters with nothing but good old fashioned fastballs (don't throw em too hard either... save that for about the 4th or 5th). The next time you face them, remember how they hit off you (if they did). Find out their strengths and weaknesses. I will always think that pitching is 75% mental. You gotta know what to throw to each person. If they are swinging early, start them off NOT by throwing a changeup, but by using fastball grip and just throw slower (the changeup is a specified pitch where different fingering is needed, therefore will affect your accuracy... just start them out with a slow strike). Then just keep experimenting. If they tend to try to look fastball (and homerun), throw the deuce.

That's all I gotta say. Oh, and does anyone know how to throw a decent splitter? i just can't get that good of a drop.

Is there..

Recommended Videos

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment