Any Finch Windmill users?

[Judd]

UPS should be delivering one to us today.

I was just wondering what kind of speed improvments your DD saw and after how long?

I am not expecting a miracle. Just wondering what to expect. DD is with a new coach and they have set a goal to reach 50 by August. She is currently 38-39 according to JUGS radar the other day. It may be a lofty goal but if she cant hit it, it may not be realistic to keep pitching. She is a 96 and this fall she will be moving up to 14U. In our area, even 50 is slow for 14U.

We kind of gave up on pitching and she didnt do much work the last 4-5 months. Another pitchers dad convinced me to see another coach and we have. Since starting back up, DD has been real good about practicing, working out etc.

We are hoping with some hard work and a growth spurt, she can hit her target. She is much shorter and smaller than most girls her age. But shes got alot of heart

[NumeroUno]

Judd that is a lot of speed to pick up in 7 months. As long as she is practicing and having fun keep up the hard work.

I know a few people that use the Finch Windmill and they all seem to like it.

[Judd]

I know it has alot of positive responses from users here and on that other site . Before I ordered a new one, I checked Ebay and there were 3 used ones. The first one sold at 275 and the others werent far behind. 275 for a used one when new it goes for 325 new must mean alot.


We know its alot of speed. I expect we will see the biggest increase in the beginning, then the amount of increase will slow down.

[catdad]

I have been looking at and considering one for my DD, but I was wondering also what should you really expect. Can you really increase speed by 3-4 mph as Doug says on his website?
Looks like a good workout machine but I know an extra 4 mph is hard to get when they start getting older.

[Judd]

http://www.finchwindmill.com/analysis.html
http://www.finchwindmill.com/sherrywerner.html



That was pretty convincing for me. I usually dont believe alot of hype but that testing seemed to be real world, they didnt change mechanics, some were sick etc. Being college players, I would think their speed was maxed out already so to see a 3-5 MPH increase over a few weeks was pretty convincing to me.

DD is 38-39, if she was 43-44 by March, she would be pretty happy


Guess who I just saw walk up and leave a box while I was typing? Now I just got to find a place to mount it.

[DonnieS]

We have used one for 6-7 years now. Its a vital part of the pitching workout - will she improve 3-4 mph in the next 5 months using the windmill. Probably.

[Izzy's Dad]

Judd,

First off, the Finch Windmill was designed to prevent injury and to promote muscle balance on both sides of the body. It just so happens (by accident?) that it does improve speed. The key is to use it as instructed.

My DD was speed checked at 45 mph using Juggs in April 2008, a day or two before she started using her new Finch Windmill. The day before she turned 12, in November 2008. She was speed checked with a maximum speed of 54 mph. These were legitimate "on the corners" strikes.

My DD practices 4 days a week, lesson 1 day a week. She uses the windmill on the five days that she pitches. Also, lifts a 1lb weight on those days. I think her speed gains are a combination of practice, and the Windmill. The biggest gains in speed typically come in 12U, then again, at 14U (but probably not as much as 12U).

Your daughter has to want to do this. Practicing alone is not going to work. Just going thru the motions is not going to work. She has got to push herself hard. That means each pitch has to be harder than the previous pitch.

My DD was the slowest pitcher on her team last fall, but she saw more pitching time than the other two combined. She has excellent control and movement, can hit her spots, and throw a perfect change-up 99% of the time. Speed doesn't mean a thing if she can't fool them into thinking it's a strike. We are adding the drop ball to her arsenal. This is a "ball" pitch, but it looks like a strike, so they swing at it.

Sorry for the long post. Work hard, and don't give up.

[Killer Rabbit]

I had to buy my DD a new Windmill. There were no used ones to be found at the time. DD already threw hard, but what we found was that she was now throwing consistently hard. The speed has crept up a little. She uses it Mon. - Fri. It is a great part of her workouts. First thing in the morning when she wakes up and bam! (Sorry Emril) she's done in five minutes.

[artomatic]

guess I was lucky a couple months back.
a friend of mine's kid is done playing, and he was cleaning out his garage of all the softball stuff.
he found a finch windmill and sold it to me for $50...
the only thing is, I don't have instructions.
Is there a web site, or could any of you helpful people make a copy of the cd?

[Izzy's Dad]

She throws 54 mph as a 12u and she was the slowest pitcher on her team? You must have quite a collection of flamethrowers on the team.

I won't even get into the 99% accuracy of her change-up.....
Sorry

I said her "max" speed was 54mph. In games last fall, she was typically 50-51. Other pitchers, one was throwing probably 52-54, and the fastest pitcher probably hit 56 in game situation. But, if you walk 3-4 per inning, then the really fast strike is thrown down the middle, POW!! outfield hit, runners come home. Coach brings in DD for the save. DD has never been pulled from a game. And yes,.....her change-up is very, very effective. But, we work on it alot.