Build a Pitching Staff - Not a Hierarchy
/
Tryout-season is here, so you know what that means. You hope you get enough pitchers to field a decent team! If you want a pitching staff that's built to last, you're going to need to develop your group as a staff, not as individuals waiting their turn. When you create depth you'll get many benefits. You'll get the most out of each pitcher, teach teamwork, and overcome the day when your number one pitcher is struggling. I said when, not if. The teams with depth don't make it to the final 10 in the tournament. They win it. What if a pitcher gets injured? Does your entire team sigh and give up, or do they trust that the number three can fight through the rest of the competition and give them a chance?
If you play in the Niles travel league and this is the third time you've seen the same team, you can call on your number two. If she only throws fastballs outside and changeups, it will be enough to get you through. Sure, your number one pitcher can blow it by everyone, but that only lasts so long. If you've developed your staff, even a very limited pitcher can be very effective! Every pitcher must know her strength and be completely confident in it. As a coach, be crystal clear to her about what that is. It may change over the season, and that's okay, as long as you communicate with her. Instead of,
"You know, if you were accurate you could play more,"
say
"Your strength right now is your change of speed. Start adding more strengths and we can use you in more situations. What pitch would you like to add to your repertoire?"
Then it becomes her goal. Build trust with your staff and they will perform for you.
LSU coach, Beth Torina, says that her number one pitcher's role is to throw hard, be aggressive, and use her best stuff. The number two must dominate the lower part of the zone. The number three's strength is to change speed and spin them into the ground. When each pitcher has a role she (and her parents) will buy in. Your personal uncommunicated ranking of her greatness causes confustion and doubt.
The staff must also learn to depend upon one another and know their work effects everyone else. Pitchers need to come early to practice or have special time cut out for them. Create workouts during practice in which each players's performance effects the score of the group. Here are some ideas.
As a staff, throw 10 of each pitch. Count the number of spots hit. Girls must decide among themselves who will throw which pitch
Do counts as a staff instead of one pitcher throwing to one batter.
Double or nothing with a teammate trying to bail another pitcher out.
Conditioning workouts: Pitch for one minute and count the strikes. Missed spots are the number of push ups, lunches, squat jumps for everyone. Then pitch another minute and do the same. Continue until your pitchers get tired. Remember, when mechanics break down or they pitch slower that it's time for a break or to stop. Otherwise, they will be building neural pathways for an inccorect motion.
Scrimmage challenges: pitchers vs. hitters
Scrimmage challenges: do crazy pitching changes. For example, one pitcher can get to a 3-2 count and then have another pitcher come in for the last pitch.
Conditioning "consequences" are great to put in place. They put game-like stress on the girls and gets them in shape. Although the pitching position has many aspects of individual sport, we are trying to teach the pitcher to work for the team - not herself.
