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Reggie
70 Posts |
 Posted - 09/18/2009 : 12:36:54
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| somebody saw me throwing batting practice at 50 feet which is the distance my son will face next year, they said I was to far back what is the distance I should throwing. |
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bambino_dad
119 Posts |
Posted - 09/18/2009 : 14:03:31
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| Too far back? Absurd. Can't throw him breaking balls at 30'. |
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bballman
1432 Posts |
Posted - 09/18/2009 : 14:31:38
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| My thought is at whatever distance you can match the reaction time of what they will be seeing in a game. If you can throw the same velocity as the pitchers he will be facing, throw from the same distance. If you throw slower, keep moving up till his reaction time will be the same. I don't think there is any set distance that is optimum. |
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Alter-Ego
802 Posts |
Posted - 09/18/2009 : 20:55:37
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I agree with bballman. The issue is to simulate the reaction time they will see in live action. Most people throw BP at 3/4 the distance so they don't have to try to throw 75 mph all the time.
If you have to move to 30' to get the same reaction time, let someone else throw BP. Just do flips.  |
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Mike Corbin
523 Posts |
Posted - 09/18/2009 : 22:00:47
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I usually throw to our 12u team at about 40 ft.
However, I would throw from what ever distance you can throw the most strikes from.
At some point the boys have to learn how to time a pitcher. They are not all going to throw the same speed. Some will throw harder than you and some will throw slower. |
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AA17Dad
211 Posts |
Posted - 09/19/2009 : 14:48:29
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I'm a big fan of throwing BP @ the correct distance. I think it helps with timming. Especially in the younger kids.
You see alot of BP @ 30'-40' and then wonder why the kid can't stay back and wait on an off-speed pitch. |
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Storm Baseball
212 Posts |
Posted - 09/20/2009 : 09:57:33
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| I agree. Even since coach pitch, i pitched back near the rubber and pitched it...not 20 feet away and throw "darts" trying to hit the kids bats where they were swinging. |
Edited by - Storm Baseball on 09/20/2009 10:38:20 |
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a1prog
164 Posts |
Posted - 09/20/2009 : 18:24:40
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| let me add one other item to consider- throw at a distance that not only measures the required reaction time but also from a distance where you can throw consistently. the purpose of bp is not necessarily to simulate a game but to get kids good quality reps. so, if you can get the reaction time part down and be more consistent by throwing 5-10 feet closer than thats a better approach. imho. |
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HITANDRUN
436 Posts |
Posted - 09/21/2009 : 12:31:56
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I think most colleges and pros throw BP at around 40 to 50 feet tops. I have never seen a coach throw from the mound on the big fields to hitters. You can work on staying back at a short distance or even in soft toss, or short toss under handed. You start throwing BP to 12 players before every game and at every batting practice from the distance they will see in a game and you will throw your arm out in about 2 seasons. Most grown men can't throw in the 60's at 50 feet and throw consistent strikes even though they think they can.
"Can't throw him breaking balls at 30'" actually most colleges work on curve balls at about 30 feet, you are not working on hitting the break but picking up the spin and recognizing a curve ball is coming and hitting it the other way. |
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AA17Dad
211 Posts |
Posted - 09/22/2009 : 08:57:28
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When dealing with adults, College and Pros. The timming is not as big of an issue. They have been around long enough to know that BP is for working on Mechanics, seeing the ball, making good swings and good contact.
Also in this group you are dealing with Professional BP coaches that actually do know how hard to throw at what distance to match game time reaction time.
However......when dealing with the younger kids...say 12 and under. Timming is a hugh piece of the puzzle to succesful hitting. Thier heads are full of " stay back" keep your hands high " hands to the ball" hit it where its pitched...ect. "
I do not disagree with any of the comments on this tread but as it applies to the younger kids they need to see plenty of BP from the correct distance.
I have never seen a team that does all their BP in a cage hit to their potential.
I have seen teams work hard all winter in the cages and work on defense on the field and then wonder why they can't hit during the game.
One of the biggest mistakes in coaching kids is trying to apply High School/College/Pro technics to kids too young to get it. |
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HITANDRUN
436 Posts |
Posted - 09/22/2009 : 10:34:56
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| "One of the biggest mistakes in coaching kids is trying to apply High School/College/Pro technics to kids too young to get it." What type of things are you referring too? hitting techniques or drills? I agree too many times we load kids heads with unneceassary techinques about hitting but as far as drills I dont think you can go wrong using the same drills offensively and defensively that colleges use. |
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AA17Dad
211 Posts |
Posted - 09/22/2009 : 18:06:49
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I didn't mean the fundamental/technique of the game.
I was referring to the delivery method, coaching technique.
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HITANDRUN
436 Posts |
Posted - 09/23/2009 : 14:40:47
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| Yeah we are in agreement. |
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12uCoach
357 Posts |
Posted - 09/23/2009 : 17:23:02
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OK, but do you let them free swing or do you run the cycle (Bunt/slash/hit & run/get 'em over/get 'em in/0-2/2-0) in hopes that at some point in their career they know what we expect out of them at the plate?
I do not expect a 10U kid to push an inside pitch to the right side with a man on second or third, but if I keep working with them for 3 years, it's amazing thatsome of them begin to do it at 12 and even more at 13.
Too many HS kids, don't even understand these concepts... |
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AA17Dad
211 Posts |
Posted - 09/24/2009 : 09:56:05
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quote:
Originally posted by 12uCoach
OK, but do you let them free swing or do you run the cycle (Bunt/slash/hit & run/get 'em over/get 'em in/0-2/2-0) in hopes that at some point in their career they know what we expect out of them at the plate?
I do not expect a 10U kid to push an inside pitch to the right side with a man on second or third, but if I keep working with them for 3 years, it's amazing thatsome of them begin to do it at 12 and even more at 13.
Too many HS kids, don't even understand these concepts...
Absolutly.
Never too young to learn. It is amazing what kids can learn when properly taught.
Teach them everything you know. Some will get it sooner than others. |
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HITANDRUN
436 Posts |
Posted - 09/24/2009 : 11:00:08
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| In BP let them work on all these things, bunt, drag, slash, hit and run, but in games if the lead off batter gets on don't bunt him over and try to manufactor one run. Let the young ones swing the bat, I promise you if you can't hit the baseball coaches will never get to see how well you can bunt or even care. Most good hitters can bunt and I think it can be taught and mastered with a little practice. Remember it isn't about winning every game why take the bat out of their hands especially coaches that have players take until they get a strike or even 2 strikes. Yeah that is good for the last inning when you need base runners but not in the begining of the game. |
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Alter-Ego
802 Posts |
Posted - 09/24/2009 : 12:49:34
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| The problem comes in whether the coaches know how to teach it. I see a lot of coaches that don't understand and appreciate the art of bunting, slashing, and the hit and run. They deal more in the "hit the ball hard somewhere" method. This method may work a lot of times but typically not against really good teams, or pitchers that are shutting the offense down. If a team has gone 5 innings without scoring a run on a pitcher, it's time to take a new strategy. Only if you have worked on these other approaches can you execute them in a game, though. |
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Alter-Ego
802 Posts |
Posted - 09/24/2009 : 16:33:13
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Hitandrun,
I don't agree that good hitters can also bunt. I see a ton of really, really, good players that can't and unfortunately they have never had to along the way and can't see the big picture on how bunting is used. It needs to be wired in early, and put into play, at least some, when they are young. Also, no player should be taught, or allowed to take until they get 2 strikes. Why would you want your entire AB coming down to being able to take 1 swing. I agree that it is probably not necessary in the 1st inning with your first two batters but does not need to wait until the last inning either. There are times you can tell it is going to be a tough game and one run may be the difference.
Teach the players they have jobs to do, even if that is putting a bunt down, hitting behind a runner and moving them to 3b, or hitting a sac fly. |
Edited by - Alter-Ego on 09/24/2009 20:46:06 |
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AA17Dad
211 Posts |
Posted - 09/25/2009 : 07:49:22
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quote:
Originally posted by Alter-Ego
The problem comes in whether the coaches know how to teach it. I see a lot of coaches that don't understand and appreciate the art of bunting, slashing, and the hit and run. They deal more in the "hit the ball hard somewhere" method. This method may work a lot of times but typically not against really good teams, or pitchers that are shutting the offense down. If a team has gone 5 innings without scoring a run on a pitcher, it's time to take a new strategy. Only if you have worked on these other approaches can you execute them in a game, though.
We play'd on one of the "Upper Tier " major teams last year. While I can say the coach understood the strategy and use it well most of the time during the game.
The fundamments being tought in the cage, both hitting and bunting were without a doubt THE worst I have ever seen.
I could barely stand to watch and would usually just walk off shaking my head.......... |
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AA17Dad
211 Posts |
Posted - 09/25/2009 : 07:56:36
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quote:
Originally posted by Alter-Ego
Hitandrun,
I don't agree that good hitters can also bunt. I see a ton of really, really, good players that can't and unfortunately they have never had to along the way and can't see the big picture on how bunting is used. It needs to be wired in early, and put into play, at least some, when they are young. Also, no player should be taught, or allowed to take until they get 2 strikes. Why would you want your entire AB coming down to being able to take 1 swing. I agree that it is probably not necessary in the 1st inning with your first two batters but does not need to wait until the last inning either. There are times you can tell it is going to be a tough game and one run may be the difference.
Teach the players they have jobs to do, even if that is putting a bunt down, hitting behind a runner and moving them to 3b, or hitting a sac fly.
I agree with your coments.
When I have coached or helped coach I always try'd to get this point across to the coaches.
" Evrey kids should know how to bunt and it is our responsability to make sure they know how" |
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Alter-Ego
802 Posts |
Posted - 09/25/2009 : 10:21:23
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Reggie,
To add to the original question, I tend to thow BP from a distance I feel comfortable I can still dodge balls hit back at me. A lot had to do with whether you have an L-screen or not. Even with an L-screen, you need to be able to get behind it faster than they can hit them back at you. If you don't have an L-screen, I suggest standing somewhere close to 2b.  |
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HITANDRUN
436 Posts |
Posted - 09/25/2009 : 13:12:31
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I guess I was thinking more of older players in the college ranks when I said good hitter can bunt, but thinking back, there were some that couldnt, heck we had guys that couldnt throw the ball from 2B to 1B without throwing it over the fence.
"We play'd on one of the "Upper Tier " major teams last year. While I can say the coach understood the strategy and use it well most of the time during the game.
The fundamments being tought in the cage, both hitting and bunting were without a doubt THE worst I have ever seen.
I could barely stand to watch and would usually just walk off shaking my head.........."
What age were you seeing this at last year? I have been there and know your fustration. |
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AA17Dad
211 Posts |
Posted - 09/26/2009 : 07:27:51
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quote:
Originally posted by HITANDRUN
I guess I was thinking more of older players in the college ranks when I said good hitter can bunt, but thinking back, there were some that couldnt, heck we had guys that couldnt throw the ball from 2B to 1B without throwing it over the fence.
"We play'd on one of the "Upper Tier " major teams last year. While I can say the coach understood the strategy and use it well most of the time during the game.
The fundamments being tought in the cage, both hitting and bunting were without a doubt THE worst I have ever seen.
I could barely stand to watch and would usually just walk off shaking my head.........."
What age were you seeing this at last year? I have been there and know your fustration.
11U |
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clubhousebaseball1
13 Posts |
Posted - 09/29/2009 : 12:46:18
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| I get more for my buck from pitching from a shorter distance. I am not throwing as many bad pitches. I can throw inside and out. I can throw hard and slow. The down side to it is it can only be done with an L-screen at some point. There is no way I am standing in front of some players without a screen. If I have one, you may see me about 30 feet. I feel the hitter gets more out of it and I know the team does as they get more good reps in. |
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loveforthegame25
448 Posts |
Posted - 09/29/2009 : 21:15:49
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| Shoot, the way some of our kids hit, Behind second base with a screen. |
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goyard
217 Posts |
Posted - 09/30/2009 : 09:20:56
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LFTG - Now that's funny  |
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Topic |
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what distance to throw batting practice
