Expert: Willie Ansley Jr. - 5/17/2011

Question
QUESTION: I am a first year majors coach(10-12 year olds). i was aksed to coach the night before the draft. i have 1 good pitcher and need to work on a few more. any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Bill Tri-cities Little league IL.

ANSWER: The thing i would work on is getting to kids to throw strikes. Not really worrying about velocity. There is so much you could say about pitching. If you can give me something specific that your kids are doimg wrong i maybe able to help you.

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QUESTION: they seem to be throwing a little side arm. I am also trying to get them to get power from there leg off the rubber.

Answer
You can have them do whats called the towel drill. You have them take a towel or sock ( you can put a baseball in the sock). Stand or put a bucket or you kneel down on one knee with a glove in your hand. Have the pitcher stand from the stretch position and then go thru the throwing motion trying to hit your glove or a bucket right on top as hard as they can. It they go side arm they will miss the target. Do many reps on this. It may take awhile but it takes work to change the bad habit. This will also help them feel the drive off the back leg. Remember strikes is more important than velocity. If they have a good arm they will throw hard and if they dont they want.