The beginning stage of my pitching life

[AcidLake]

I used to mainly play on OF until I got cut in JV baseball tryout. Too slow, they told me. To put an insult to injury, I hurt my left wrist and couldn't swing a bat for awhile. That's when I started to consider pitching. I ordered Dick Mills' program and studied the materials during the easter vacation. With some adjustments, my fastball velocity jumped from 71mph to 77mph range. That's the only the beginning part, which I am in right now. My arm feels great, I'm working on the mechanics and explosiveness of the delivery. I don't do long toss (except when I play outfield in rec games). And so far, I pitched only 2 times in my life in the rec league. My career line stands so far:

1.1IP, 1H, 1K, 4BB's, 1HBP, 3R, 0ER (screw the defense)

My stuff stands so far:
4 seam fastball
Knuckle Curve (works better than normal curve. I'm still working on consistency)
Changeup (working on consistency)
Splitter (just learned the grip. I threw some yesterday in practice and worked in nicely)

I'm working on control... I made this thread on the purpose like a diary and another purpose to ask some questions.

Looking forward to progress

[Postblank]

What pitch[es] are you walking people and hitting them with? Also, are the walks no control or simply the batters not biting?

[AcidLake]

What pitch[es] are you walking people and hitting them with? Also, are the walks no control or simply the batters not biting?

Well, since my curve and change were in learning process, I was just throwing fastballs. I actually hit a batter with 2 seamer with a bad release point.

Not bragging, but my velocity is above average in the league. There was some times that I couldn't get a grasp of my mechanics and walked without any control. But one of them came from 3-2 count and what should've been 'strike three' on inside corner was called as 'ball four'.

Forgot to mention this. My body type is similar to Bartolo Colon, Sidney Ponson, or Joba Chamberlain. I'm about 5-9 with 219 pounds. Yes, I'm overweight, but I have a lot of energy to deliver

[TG Coach]

1.1IP, 1H, 1K, 4BB's, 1HBP, 3R, 0ER (screw the defense)

My stuff stands so far:
4 seam fastball
Knuckle Curve (works better than normal curve. I'm still working on consistency)
Changeup (working on consistency)
Splitter (just learned the grip. I threw some yesterday in practice and worked in nicely)

I'm working on control... I made this thread on the purpose like a diary and another purpose to ask some questions.

Looking forward to progress

"screw the defense" .... Here's what the seven guys behind you are thinking: Throw a bleep'n strike so I can stay on my toes. You may not have allowed and earned run, but you pitched poorly.

I have two pieces of advice:

1) You would be better served to become a team with your defense.
2) Toss away two pitches and focus on control and command with the fastball and change. With four walks and a hit batter in 1 1/3 I'm not impressed you can throw four pitches.

Good luck.

[TG Coach]

Not bragging, but my velocity is above average in the league.

Good idea. 71-77 for a fifteen year old is nothing special. The league must be weak. Get that ego under control and work hard.

[leftypitcher934]

"screw the defense" .... Here's what the seven guys behind you are thinking: Throw a bleep'n strike so I can stay on my toes. You may not have allowed and earned run, but you pitched poorly.

I have two pieces of advice:

1) You would be better served to become a team with your defense.
2) Toss away two pitches and focus on control and command with the fastball and change. With four walks and a hit batter in 1 1/3 I'm not impressed you can throw four pitches.

Good luck.

very good advice work on your control for your fastball and change then when you mastered those master the other two

[AcidLake]

Good idea. 71-77 for a fifteen year old is nothing special. The league must be weak. Get that ego under control and work hard.

I hope you didn't misread my post. It's not 71~77 range. It ranges out as 75~78mph as of last friday. I'm starting to work more on control in these days. I was just nervous on my first pitching appearances of my life

[TG Coach]

I hope you didn't misread my post. It's not 71~77 range. It ranges out as 75~78mph as of last friday. I'm starting to work more on control in these days. I was just nervous on my first pitching appearances of my life

Keep working. Upper 70's is nothing impressive for your age and size. Would you like to be humbled? My son is 5'6", 125. He pitches in 14U. He could play 13U with the recent age change. He can throw mid 70's. He's at the lower end of the speed range on his 14U team.

With your size, if you get in better shape, get physically strong, and strengthen your arm you might get to the velocity of a decent high school pitcher. Work hard and talk less. Tell the board about your progress in relation to help, not applause. Then maybe there will be something to applaud in a year or two.

Here's a piece of advice. Don't compare yourself to other rec players. Compare yourself to the best in your age group. Strive to be those pitchers. Good luck.

[AcidLake]

Thanks TG Coach. Thinking that best JV pitcher in our school tops out at 74mph (and that team went 11-0 for season) I thought I had a good speed. Our best senior pitcher in varsity tops out at 85mph, normally with 82~84mph range.

I actually had a session today on the field and I kept check of the number of times I missed the strikezone.

Number of strikes (set of 10)

1. 5/10
2. 7/10
3. 2/10 (I think I was trying to overthrow with my arm that time. I keep trying to remember that arm is just for release control)
4. 6/10
5. 7/10
6. 9/10
7. 7/10

My motion went easy and I tried to see the strikezone as long as I can. On the 3rd set though, I was completely off, but I rebounded.

[paul5150]

just wondering, where do you go to school?

[AcidLake]

just wondering, where do you go to school?
Dulaney High School in Baltimore County. It's a public school

[paul5150]

I live in Reisterstown...so i know about Dulaney. I go to Boys Latin.

[XFactor]

Keep up the good work