Youth baseball pitchers often range from unhittable to brutally bad, there is usually not much in-between. Many youth coaches and youth baseball players alike think that pitching in Little League baseball is all about the speed of the pitch but in reality, a youth baseball pitcher can get people out with other things like location and changing speeds.
Here are some pitching tips for youth baseball pitchers to use:
Practice throwing strikes-
Many youth baseball players are afraid to swing the bat. Walking kids in Little League baseball can be fatal since it's so easy to steal second and even third base and mistakes are often made in the field.
Coaches should do drills that focus youth baseball pitchers to throw a certain number or percentage of strikes before they can stop.
Use the change-up-
The best tip you can give a youth baseball player is to not worry about always throwing the ball hard. A good change-up is important for any youth baseball pitcher because it can function as a strikeout pitch and it doesn't stress the wrist like a curveball does.
A youth baseball player who follows this tip and works on a change-up their whole career will have a chance to master it by high school, giving them a leg up on the other players.
Stretch out-
Good stretching can make any youth baseball pitcher more effective. Stretching doesn't have to be done right before a game or practice, either, you can do it in the morning, too. Later on, practicing yoga and pilates are also a good idea for a young baseball pitcher. More flexibility equals more speed and control.
Pitch inside-
Many youth baseball pitchers are afraid to pitch inside, but it is an important tool in any pitcher's arsenal. Develop your Little League pitchers' control and then they should be able to pitch inside without hitting the batter.
Attack hitters with a plan-
Most youth baseball pitchers face teams that only have five decent hitters tops. Study their weaknesses and throw pitches that they like to bite on. Most youth baseball players have tendencies to swing at bad pitches such as high ones or pitches in the dirt. Youth baseball pitchers should keep throwing these pitches to try and get them to swing at bad pitches because it usually works.
-These are just a few tips that youth baseball pitchers can use to get opposing hitters out in Little League Games. To get more youth baseball pitching tips, make it a point to take your son to camps and clinics because many Little League coaches don't know what they're doing or don't know nearly as much as professionals.
Youth baseball pitchers can use these tips as general guidelines, but there is no substitute for constant practice as well as confidence. Youth baseball pitchers that are confident will always succeed more than those who aren't no matter how good their stuff is.
