AboutWillie Ansley Jr. Expertise I can answer all questions on baseball instruction from hitting to baserunning,pitching and defense.I can also deal with the mental side of the game. After all baseball is 90% mental.
Experience I was the Houston Astros #1 pick in 1988.I have been doing private instruction and coaching select baseball in the Houston,Tx. area since 1996.
Past/Present clients I have worked with such players as Carl Crawford(while at Jeff Davis High)first pick in second round of the 2000 MLB draft.Also Vince Blue(Lamarr High) a 10th round selection.John Hale(Lamarr High) committed to Rice Univ.Eric Iland(Lamarr High) a top prospect in the 2007 MLB draft.
Question QUESTION: My 17 yr old son who is 5'9" and 165lbs has always been a pitcher/3B since he was 8 years old. He always was very consistent over the plate. In his Freshman and Sophomore year he developed what the coaches have called a hitch in his pitch (a slight pause before throwing). He worked all year trying to correct this condition. When he went to tryouts for this year the coaches didn't even consider him for a pitcher. He made the high school team as a 3B, but he has now developed a hitch in his throwing from 3 to first. He is fine from short distance. Is this a mental problem or is there something physical he can do to correct this problem? What do you suggest?
ANSWER: Now when you say a hitch is it kind of like Rob Nen used to do?I would say have him do the towel drill.I have to ask does his arm hurt after throwing?When working from third I would say have him field ground balls and get rid of it quickly.Do this in a rapid fire mode one after the other so he does not have time to think about it.
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QUESTION: In answer to your question, it is exactly like Rob Nen used to do. Also, he has said that his arm does not hurt, however, I have seen him icing down his shoulder a couple of times. When I asked him about it he said he fell on his shoulder diving after a ground ball a couple of weeks ago and it hurts a little bit every now and then. Both of those suggestions sound great. Hopefully they will help.
Answer On the throwing hitch from the mound if he will not be allowed to pitch during the high school season because of the hitch and his arm is not hurting him and he is effective at getting guys out then allow him to pitch during the summer with it and see how he does.Some kids do things that make them different and effective.They said Mark Prior had the best Mechanics ever and his are stays hurt.
