Teri Boone asked:

I coach 12 & under girls how can I get them to sart off the game strong? They are very weak 1st 2 innings, after that they are on fire.

Lance’s answer:

Absolutely agree with the last two comments. I've seen teams that don't warm up enough, and the outcome is ALWAYS stumbling around for two innings. If they're at the field plenty early and still are starting slow, they're not working during warmups.

... Continue reading »

Lauren Smaga asked:

I am a pitcher and have been pitching for about five years, I want to know when to start learning pitches and which one to start with?

Lance’s answer:

First, find a good pitching coach. If you learn the movement pitches incorrectly, your career will soon be over.

Softball chic Arizona asked:

fff

Lance’s answer:

I'm gonna have to take a different approach here. With all due respect, it sounds like you're coaching from the bleachers. It sounds like you know the game, you've done a great job teaching your daughter, but at a certain point you should let the coach... Continue reading »

Al Ciolek asked:

How old should a child be to start umpiring?

Lance’s answer:

14 is a fine age, but IMO the more important factor is the child's ability to assert authority over adults in their role as an umpire. Having the required skin thickness has little to do with age.

When we train young umpires, we always have a couple... Continue reading »

Marc Sirkin asked:

Can someone point me to a very simple way to teach an 11 year old how to throw a "proper" change up (fast pitch softball)

Lance’s answer:

I've found there is no "right" way to teach a girl to throw a changeup. There are such big differences in hand size, finger length, strength, and pitching motion, a one-size-fits-all will fit only once in a while.

Experiment with grips. Have the pit... Continue reading »

Denise Walczyk asked:

WHAT IS THE AVERAGE SPEED FOR A 9 - 12 SOFTBALL PICTHER, IM HEARING ALL KINDS OF SPEEDS THAT SOUND A LITTLE NUTS!!

Lance’s answer:

In my area U12's are throwing high sixties, low 70's.

Of course that's just as ridiculous, exaggerated, and meaningless as all the other stuff you hear about speed of young pitchers. Good advice is to get off it. People who blab about speed at that ... Continue reading »

Vanessa Southard asked:

how do you teach the basics of pitching

Lance’s answer:

1. Wrist snap
2. Arm circle (do arm circles on the wall to get the right feeling)
3. Power line (rotate 90 degrees open, then 90 degrees closed)
4. Stand tall, don't bend over (known as the "bowling position" because that's what most beginning pitch... Continue reading »

Molly Gerwig asked:

Do you need to have a sliding pad? I slide all the time but my parents don't think I really need. but my knees kill.

Lance’s answer:

If a sliding pad makes you more comfortable, you should wear one. Sliding is dangerous enough to begin with. It's much safer to slide agressively. If you hold back or try to reduce the impact, you're at a much higher risk of injury.

Sammi Goble asked:

i am a 13 yr oldpitcher and i just dont feel like i have a lot of speed i pitch like 52-53 is there a way to pick up speed witout hurtin me

Lance’s answer:

You're plenty fast. You need an experienced pitching coach if you want to increase your speed. But I'll bet that's not your problem.

Are you just throwing for spots? Do you have any off-speed stuff? Do you have any movement pitches?

Mph isn't nea... Continue reading »

Deb Pearson asked:

I'm a fan of girls fast pitch softball. How do I find softball tourneys in the Twin Cities area?? Preferably 18U.

Lance’s answer:

Go to "fastsports.com." All the tournaments in the Twin Cities area and region are listed.