Best Pitches to Have in Arsenal

[Middie 85 Alum]

What is everyone's opinion on the best pitchess to have in the 12-14 yr old age? I am a believer of the fastball and work on locating your change up. Talking to a guy I know that piyched in pro ball says the slider is tough on the arm and the kids should just throw a cutter for now and use the 4 seam and change up. What is everyone's thoughts?

[gclbaseball1]

For a 12 to 14 year old they should be able to throw a fastball, change-up. When you get into h.s. is when you pick up the slider, curve, and splitter.

[111411]

Thumbball. When thrown correctly, it'll drop.

[Middie 85 Alum]

Thumbball. When thrown correctly, it'll drop.

Never heard of it before. How is it thrown?

[cincysportsman]

Change up. Always my favorite. Look at some of the best who use it. Santana... If you like the reds Volquez and Cueto throw decent ones thanks to the pitching coach whose name escapes me.

[gclbaseball1]

Change up. Always my favorite. Look at some of the best who use it. Santana... If you like the reds Volquez and Cueto throw decent ones thanks to the pitching coach whose name escapes me.

The Reds pitching coach is Dick Pole and the best change-up in the MLB today is Cole Hamels no doubt it is disgusting. You know you have a good change-up when that is your strikeout pitch like Hamels is.

[111411]

Never heard of it before. How is it thrown?

It's really hard to describe, but your thumb is between the seams and when you release it, the ball will have backspin. It's a pitch that doesn't come easily, but when it's working, it's a nasty pitch. It's there, then it isn't. The ball will suddenly drop. My oldest son threw it well, my next son, a lefty, threw it better, and my youngest son had a 1.35 ERA last year, using it. When thrown correctly, it causes no strain on the arm, it's all in the grip.

[Middie 85 Alum]

I tried to do an internet search and couldn't find anything on it. If the thumb is between the seams where are the fingers placed ? Have other people called it something else?

[111411]

I tried to do an internet search and couldn't find anything on it. If the thumb is between the seams where are the fingers placed ? Have other people called it something else?

It's really hard to explain over the internet, but the other fingers are facing the batter. It's almost like a knuckleball grip. You throw the pitch with your normal motion and arm speed. Coming out of the hand you're thinking fastball right down the pike, then the drop off comes. It can make the batter look pretty silly. We've thrown it on all counts, 3-2, 3-0, anything. If you're consistent with it, it's a great pitch. Some of the kids we've had, tried it, and discovered they can't throw it, so they give up on it.

[stayflyyy22]

I still believe that the Change up is the best pitch in basedball, im not much of a power pitcher, so having a change up that is about 5 to 10 mph slower than my fastball is very nice, especially since i can locate it and throw it in all counts.

[itsgone]

Depending on the level of competition and skill of the pitcher (at 12-14) you can run into a situation where the change is essentially serving it up to good hitters. So while I 100% agree that at that age pitchers should be relying on Fastball/Changeup, it's also the time that young pitchers should be learning grips and pressure. Slight variations of grip or applied pressure can significantly change the pitch, or at least the look to the batter.

And while I think this is the age to start teaching the curve (teaching, not throwing it in games) it's not really necessary. Fastballs and Changes are good pitches, with some work Fastballs and Changes that tail in or out are just as good as a curve.

[bushman20]

Thumbball. When thrown correctly, it'll drop.

I don't know what is funnier to watch...when he throws the thumbball and baffles a guy, or when he picks a guy off and a baserunner has that deer in the headlights look.


In my opinion the cutter, if learned and thrown properly, is the best pitch in all of baseball.

[Middie 85 Alum]

I don't know what is funnier to watch...when he throws the thumbball and baffles a guy, or when he picks a guy off and a baserunner has that deer in the headlights look.


In my opinion the cutter, if learned and thrown properly, is the best pitch in all of baseball.

All my searches come up empty. If anyone has seen one please post the link. Thanks

[IMHO]

Without question the best pitch to have in the arsenal is an above average fastball coupled with the ability to spot it anywhere you want. Every other pitch works off of the fastball against good hitters. Without it you better be a gimic pitcher ( knuckleball) or have unbelievable control like Maddox and/or Glavine

[kzr0]

The best pitch is like real estate...location,location,location

[cincysportsman]

The best pitch is like real estate...location,location,location

I like that. But im sticking with change-up. Some ppl think its just a slow pitch but a correctly thrown circle change will drop off the table slide or do whatever. You could throw it 10 times in a row and it could do 10 different things. Best part of all is it dosent do any wear and tear on the elbow like the breaker.

[Wood FAVC Champs]

I know that i don't have a great fastball so i rely on my curve and my circle a lot. I am also working on a cutter and am getting some good movement. I started throwing my curve way too early, around 12-13. I have already had tendinitis and that sucks lol. So i have learned my lesson

[threadsII]

The #1 pitch has always been and will always be the fastball. You don't have to be an absolute blazer with it either, as long as you can locate it on command. Every other pitch works off the fastball.

The 1a pitch is obviously the change up. Even on days when you can't locate the fastball very well, you can be very effective at getting guys out with ground balls with a change up...you just still have to show the fastball to fool guys and not have them sitting on a change, because if you throw a flat one, there is a good chance the ball will be hit hard.

Secondly, i agree with the poster that said you should start teaching the curveball at 12-13. At 12-13, if the youngster can throw just 2 or 3 a game for a strike to let the opposing team know he has one, he will have the other team guessing at the plate all day long. If you or one of your kids plays select ball, a curveball will be needed by the time your 14.

Finally, as a pitcher, never give the batter too much credit, you must challenge them. Hitting a baseball is still the hardest thing to do in sports, and don't forget you have 8 other guys on the field playing defense with you!

[GCPRO]

No love for the "C" ball. Our league promotes it's use, supposedly no damage whatsoever to the arm.

[otis_p_wiley]

Whatever happened to the best pitch in baseball being a "strike"?!!

Having an above average fastball does nothing unless you can throw strikes. Having an above average change-up does nothing unless you can throw a strike with it. Same with any other pitch.

Basically what I am saying is the best pitch in baseball is a "Strike".

[itsgone]

No love for the "C" ball. Our league promotes it's use, supposedly no damage whatsoever to the arm.

Your league has probably read:

http://ajs.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/36/4/686

Basically says overuse is the most dangerous aspect of pitching, and that a fastball puts more stress on a pitchers arm than a curveball. It's taken a long time for people to learn that a curve can be a safe pitch for young pitchers, but what isn't being emphasized with this 'newer' thinking is that all this is true only if the youth pitcher uses the proper mechanics.

Too many dads or wannabee coaches teaching the curve that really don't know what they're doing are the issue. So yea, it's safe for kids around 12 to learn the curve and use it in moderation, just as using the fastball in moderation is safe. If they learn it wrong, either the curve or the fastball, then all bets are off.

[IMHO]

Your league has probably read:

http://ajs.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/36/4/686

Basically says overuse is the most dangerous aspect of pitching, and that a fastball puts more stress on a pitchers arm than a curveball. It's taken a long time for people to learn that a curve can be a safe pitch for young pitchers, but what isn't being emphasized with this 'newer' thinking is that all this is true only if the youth pitcher uses the proper mechanics.

Too many dads or wannabee coaches teaching the curve that really don't know what they're doing are the issue. So yea, it's safe for kids around 12 to learn the curve and use it in moderation, just as using the fastball in moderation is safe. If they learn it wrong, either the curve or the fastball, then all bets are off.

Sorry - not buying it. Any twisting of the arm during the growth cycle of a kid is dangerous for the development of the arm. The curveball is NOT good for a kid to throw at the age of 12. Remember throwing a pitch only a couple of times in a game means they also throw it countless times in warmups and practice to be able to throw it for strikes in a game. Additionally, I guarentee little 12 year old will not have the proper mechanics needed to throw a pit properly and even if you accept a 12-6 curve as not hurting th arm that means you must be able to tell what rotation a kid is getting on that ball because ANY side ways rotation means the kid is twisting his arm. How many coaches are in a position during a game, practice and warm ups to do that?

Sorry Charlie and GCPRO - I know you are being sarcastic - curve balls are meant for young adults and not kids.

[GCPRO]

I'm pretty sure the best coaches in our league teach the "c" ball and tell one and all it will not injure a kids arm. I am not being sarcastic, this is the truth,and they have 10-12 year old kids throw it more than 50% of the time. I must admit not knowing too much about the proper mechanics of throwing the "c" ball because it seems and looks alot like a curve ball, but I am in the minority when it comes to knowing much about it.
I remember Dr. Tom House speaking at a clinic many years ago stating that a properly thrown curveball is no different than a properly thrown fastball.
A former player of mine that pitched professionally told me his coaches(obviously not inclusive of me) also instructed him that the best pitch in baseball is "strike one."

[itsgone]

Any twisting of the arm during the growth cycle of a kid is dangerous for the development of the arm.

This is essentially the root of the issue, with proper mechanics there isn't any twisting of the arm with a curve ball.

As I said before, too many people teaching the curve ball that have no business doing so.

[IMHO]

I'm pretty sure the best coaches in our league teach the "c" ball and tell one and all it will not injure a kids arm. I am not being sarcastic, this is the truth,and they have 10-12 year old kids throw it more than 50% of the time. I must admit not knowing too much about the proper mechanics of throwing the "c" ball because it seems and looks alot like a curve ball, but I am in the minority when it comes to knowing much about it.
I remember Dr. Tom House speaking at a clinic many years ago stating that a properly thrown curveball is no different than a properly thrown fastball.
A former player of mine that pitched professionally told me his coaches(obviously not inclusive of me) also instructed him that the best pitch in baseball is "strike one."

I agree strike one is the best pitch in baseball but you have to be able to get strike one. Too many guys just groove strike one and it becomes one run!!!!

Was Tom House talking about a properly thrown curveball by a young adult or a kid? That is a big difference. Expecting a kid to throw a curve ball properly with perfect mechanics is crazy. It won't happen in most cases and ends up damaging the arm. The kid does not properly develop arm strength becasue he is too busy throwing curve balls. I think that is one of the reasons why ( even though if you read some threads we have 5-15 guys each year in Cincinnati high school baseball throwing in the 90's :) ) volocity is actually down on most pitchers as they get older.

Fastball and change is all that is needed.

BY the way - how do you throw the "c" you are talking about?

[GCPRO]

Proper mechanics in throwing the curveball and fastball according to Dr. Tom House and I am paraphrasing here:FB-palm straight down, CB-palm facing inward, straight down. Stick opposite hand on elbow when doing both and you feel no change in the connecting tissues. Turn your hand slightly inward and you can feel the change. The vast majority of youngsters when learning to throw a curve will turn their hand inward during the throwing motion.
Not sure I completely understand the thought of a FB being harder on your shoulder than other pitches because I was under the assumption that a CB and CU should be thrown with the same arm action, maybe someone can educate me.
As for the "C" ball, not sure, only hear it talked about and see it thrown repeatedly. My best quesstimate would be to make a "C" with your thumb and index/middle finger. Much the same grip as the CB, best I can tell. Different name, same result, but this one doesn't injure the arm, or so I am told. Most would be appalled at how often it is used by these kids.

[cincysportsman]

The best pitch is not always a strike. IN certain counts the best pitch to throw is a pitch to get the hitter to chase.

[GCPRO]

sportsman-I think it was quoted as strike one.

[cincysportsman]

sportsman-I think it was quoted as strike one.

Sorry. Thats what i get for skimming. I still think the best pitch is the circle change though!!!

[thePITman]

The Change-up is the most underrated pitch. Period.

[Wood FAVC Champs]

I agree with pit with a good fastball and change-up and being able to locate them you can be a verydominate pitcher just look at volquez

[CCchamps08]

Personally, after coaching my sons for many years, I have always enjoyed having a pitcher with a decent fastball, a good change up, and another better than average off speed pitch.

[111411]

Years ago, an old coach once told me, "Find something that drops."