by Ivanhoe » Fri Jan 19, 2018 3:01 pm
It's basic supply and demand. If customers feel they are getting good value for what they are paying, then they will pay for it. One area where I do feel that a specialized coach (batting, fielding, pitching) earns their money is being able to identify where issues are and how to correct them. The coaches I had for my kids have been able to spot the smallest thing and make slight tweaks that have made a world of difference. Maybe in 10 years, I would have figured out what those things were, but not likely. Even if I could, after all my trial and error, my kids wouldn't believe I knew what I was talking about. LOL.
Quick story: a company's very expensive and vital machine broke down. No matter what they did they couldn't figure out the issue or even begin to fix it. Called in a former employee, an engineer, that was responsible maintaining the machine for the last decade. After going over the machine for an hour, the engineer uses a piece of chalk to mark a $100 part that was defective. Company was able replace the part and they were up and running by the end of the day. A couple of weeks later, the company receives a bill for $1,000. Wondering why so expensive, they ask for an itemized bill. A few days later, the itemized bill comes in: $1 for chalk, $999 for knowing which part to mark.
When I selected my kids batting, pitching coaches, I did my research, observed some lessons before going with a coach. Then, evaluated to see if an progress was being made, if not, found another. I get the idea of muscle memory, but that is something that I would work with them as their parent. Also, their coaching gig was usually their 2nd job, except for the one that is retired and just coaches for the love of the sport.
While I think the basics of pitching are relatively easy to understand, being able to apply them is a whole other story. Otherwise pitchers wouldn't be one of the more sought out positions. I am assuming you were being simplistic on your description of pitching, but the spin of the ball will add more to the different types pitch versus its release point. It will give the ball a lot more movement. Google the Magnus effect, specifically where a guys drops a basketball off a dam. The change in release point will be more of a fastball in different locations.
And more often than not, you usually couldn't buy absolute success. Hard work and practice does that. Don't get me wrong, is it expensive. Hell yes. But that may be because I am a cheap bastard. LOL. I think the real question, is it worth it. (on some days it is, some days it's not, but I am glad I get to watch my dd go on this journey).