Pitching videos: Hillhouse, Parker or other recs

[dustyshoes]

I was wondering what videos would be best suited for younger pitchers.

I've got two DD's who pitch, one just turned 11 and the other is about to turn 9. I've had them both in lessons with a private instructor for almost a year now who coaches them in the style that I guess you would call "open hip" (45 degrees) rather than the "close the door" style my oldest first learned at a rec league pitching clinic. The oldest has a decent fastball & change up combo and can throw a drop but not consistently in game situations as of yet. The youngest is pretty much just learning the basic fastball mechanics.

Thanks,

Dusty

[ballguy]

I personally like Hillhouse. I have 2 of his videos and have been to a couple of his clinics. He makes things simple. I would recommend him for any level of pitcher.

[catdad]

Cheryl Kempf (Coach K) has a book and video that is really good. I think what she teaches is best suited for pitchers using the open hip style of pitching. Good luck to your DD's.

[Tucson]

Framing the Pitch by Denny Throneburg.

He teaches the very beginning, in the gym, down on one knee and going through the steps. It is very easy to understand.

[DonnieS]

I have Hillhouse, Parker, and Michelle Smith's videos. Get them all. They are all very good, we started with Parker because my kid met Lisa Fernandez early on and Lisa spoke highly of Coach Parker. Since then I bought the others. Understand my dd has not watched much of any of the tapes other than game tapes of Lisa - she would watch Lisa and then pitch toward a mirrored wall in the living room without a ball in her hand, she was around 8 then, and was trying to copy Lisa's explosion off the rubber.

She worked hard to imitate Lisa - I would watch the other tapes and then try to drag her in the house at times and have her watch some specific movement by one of the pitchers.

Michelle Smith's tapes are great and she personally demonstrates what she says, which makes hers pretty helpful. Coach Parker uses his students to demonstrate, Bill of course, uses himself.

Coach Parker has a lot of good drills that were very helpful and Bill is great for the older kids, though he wants you to start with his and only his.

Buy them all.

[Texas19]

My DD went to a Hillhouse clinic where we bought his video, his instruction is easy and simple to understand. He really breaks it down so its not hard to pick up. But like most of us I was the one watching the video. And trying to get my dd to watch for more than 10-15 min was like pulling teeth. One thing that has helped my DD alot are the videos I took of her pitching and pointing out the things that she was doing wrong without saying a word.

[DonnieS]

>> One thing that has helped my DD alot are the videos I took of her pitching and pointing out the things that she was doing wrong without saying a word. <<

I need you to show me how you did that.

[pdj]

Bill Hillhouse is my choice. Bill's tapes and clinics concentrate on fundamentals and effective mechanics/drills. His clinics are great, as there you get the chance to learn pitching (he loves to talk pitching and always seems to be available for questions) and not just throwing.

I am looking forward to attending another of his clinics later this month in Louisiana.

[dustyshoes]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I probably will get most of these books and videos eventually but it sounds like the Hillhouse video will be the next aquisition. I already have the Kempf book and agree that it's very good, I didn't know she also had a video.

[Texas19]

DonnieS what I meant was that I didn't say anything not my DD as you well know at 13 they know everything about pitching and everything else. It's a constant battle with us I dont know about anybody else but if we dont argue about something its because she's not home. Anyway good luck Dustyshoes keep us updated on your dd's progress.