by FPdawg » Tue Jan 01, 2008 7:59 am
Cannonball, what part of the country are you from? I live in Mobile AL, but came from SOCAL two years ago. IMO the big difference in distense from pitching plate to home plate for pitchers is not a strength, conditioning, or potential injury problem, it has more to do with where the pitch will make its break. Most all pitchers and parents of pitchers at almost all levels know they will be doing drills like long toss, and throwing the ball from all kinds of distances depending on what a pitching coach is trying to create for muscle memory. I've pitched and coached for more than 30 years and in the mens divisions I have warmed up before a game at times from second base and seen it done many times, the true key to consistent pitching is reps, then more reps, then more reps, I think you get my point. I will absolutly gurantee you when you see two pitchers at the same level and one is good and the other is great, one of them has thrown twice as many pitches in her career than the other, guess which. Its same situation down here in Bama shortage of good experienced pitchers, IMO more harm to pitchers mental development cycle throwing a 14 year old in 18U, than what distance a pitchers throws from, but I understand your predicament, it wont hurt her physically. Good luck this season, Coach Mike