Posted by: BsH (wallstfire@aol.com) on Fri Jul 20 01:36:37 2001

> Guys,
>
> Thank you for your replies. But I dont know that I agree that throwing from 25 feet is the same as throwing from 40 feet. It may be ok for swing practice but I don't think its good for tracking the ball.
>
> A pitch that is released from 40 feet will drop more then a ball from 25 feet. A ball leaving the pitcher's hand at 25 feet will be higher at the plate then a ball leaving the pitcher's hand from the same angle at 40 feet.
>
> Dosen't that sound right?
>
> Frank Jessup

It would be interesting to know what age group of girls you are coaching . I have 16 yr. olds and the pitchers we face throw anywhere from 55 to 60 mph. and their is no drop on their fastball from 40'..
I addition to using baseballs as I had also mentioned , I cant throw as fast as these girls with the underhand delivery and have found throwing from 25 - 30 foot very benefical as far as reaction time goes, to more fully simulate the speeds they will be facing. I can remember doing the same thing with my son on a regular basis, throwing tennis balls from 40ft instead of the 60'6''. And this we both feel helped him greatly. And its amazing after doing this for a few weeks , how the number of swing and misses, turns into solid contact.

I also like pitching from 25-30' when working on the different bunts. They get use to it and it makes the 40' seem alot simpler.

I think it would be certainly worth the time to give it a try before you decide.


These are just my thoughts about what has worked for me.

I do find the bag drill to be very interesting as I use to have my son swing at a hanging tire years ago. How do you coaches that use it hang a bag up at practice?