Fastpitch Softball Pitching

When to Throw Advanced Windmill Pitches

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When should you start advanced pitches? Advanced meaning anything other than a fastball or change-up. The time is different for each pitcher but, as a rule, when a pitcher starts becoming relatively dependable in spotting the four corners.

The four corners are 'up & in', 'down & in', 'up & out' and 'down & out'. As the pitcher develops control, four corners should become part of routine practice for about 1/3 of the practice. The ability to hit those four corners and consistently throw the change-up is critical.

Pitch location is much more critical than different types of pitches. Armed with the four corners and a change-up, pitchers have a real advantage over the batter. Once that is accomplished, it is time to move on.

Some of the more common specialty pitches to follow are the off-speed, drop, screw ball (also known as an inshoot), the curve and the rise ball.

The off-speed pitch is fairly simple to throw and most pick it up quickly. The other pitches are difficult and often frustrating.

What surfaces quickly is the fact that each of these pitches requires different mechanics. The straight-away fastball mechanics are the root of pitching, but they cannot be used to throw the specialty pitches. Foot placement, arm location, wrist action and follow-through are all different. Be patient, you'll get there.

Ron Holt is a fastpitch instructor in Liberty Hill, Texas and operates the Wind Pitch website, which is dedicated to windmill pitching.