Whats a good arsenal of pitches for a 13 yr old to throw?

Question

I need to know some good pitches for my team to throw tht wont screw up there arms can u tell me some?

THank u guys for answering and i was also thinking a sinker would tht hurt the kids arms?

Answer 1

Fastball and Changeup nothing else!

Answer 2

Fastball and Changeup are solid, work on location mainly at that age, if you can have control and location you only need two pitches but a third does not hurt. The only other recommendation would be a slider, it is a fastball motion with no real twisting or tweaking on the arm to and that extra strain. Do not throw ANY curve...they add too much strain and when you are 22 you can not tie your shoes. The other thing to work on is pitch sequence...keep hitters on their toes by mixing up the pitches somewhat. I umpired a kid that threw a slider that was unreal at 12 years old.

A proper slider is a fast ball motion with a different grip, it should do nothing to the strain on arm, elbow or shoulder. It will move but not like other pitches do, just enough movement to throw a hitter off.

Answer 3

Most people will tell you that you shouldn't be throwing much at 13 years old. Probably just a fastball and change up. I know curveball's are terrible on a 13 year old's arm. Same with a slider. People teach kids how to throw these pitches, but they don't have the kids best interest.

Answer 4

The best pitch other than a fastball to master is the change-up. It looks just like a fastball coming out of your hand but is a lot slower. When you can throw your change-up for good strikes you'll be untouchable. Learn both change ups though, the circle and the straight changeup. Those combined with a good fastball will be more than you will need to get other 13 year old hitters out. Wait until you are at least 15 to really start working on curveballs and sliders they mess up your shoulder and elbow if you start too early.

Answer 5

At 13 yrs old. Fastball and change-ups. No need to teach a bunch of pitches at this age because if they do play high school or college ball they will get used a lot. Learn the basics now and how to locate those 2 pitches and they should be alright

Answer 6

First, it is crucial to be able to spot your fastball (4-seam & 2-seam) low & away, low & inside, up & in. Second, to work off your fastball with a circle change (2-seam). If you want to throw a curve, I recommend a 12-6 curve with the ball having downward movement. I do not recommend throwing sliders at that age due to the possibility of damaging rotator cuffs and elbow tendons/ligaments. The best way to strengthen your arm is to long toss.

Answer 7

Have your kids focus on changing speeds and learning the mental strategies of pitching, as these are the fundamentals that pitchers need to know anyway. Have them use a fastball and changeup, and maybe a cut fastball, but I would make a rule that they do not use any breaking pitches. Pitchers at that age simply need to know how to locate pitches strategically, and learn to change speeds to deceive hitters.

Answer 8

both fastballs... 2- and 4-seam, and a straight change... circle or 3-fingered it doesn't matter....
DO NOT TEACH THEM A CURVEBALL OR SLIDER OR ANY BREAKING PITCHES.
a curve, slurve, slider creates torque on the elbow and/or the shoulder which you do not need a 13-yr old damaging...

i'm 22 now and have suffered from rotator cuff tendonitis since i was 17. the pain after throwing is so intense that i occasionally call in sick to work after playing on a saturday afternoon... this is due to pitching the "wrong" way... i know that there are many things that contribute to shoulder problems but this was mine...
i still play, and pitch, but i have to throw sidearm to minimize the pain i get week after week.

Answer 9

Until his arm and body develop, no curveballs, screwballs or breaking balls! Fastballs, changeups and maybe a slider. I would also throw in knuckleball as a fourth pitch. Then I would limit and monitor his pitch count per game and the ammount he throws on the side.

Answer 10

fastball, curveball, and change up, Granted the kid is 13, but the sooner you learn him to throw these pitches the easier the other pitchs will develope By the time he's 15 he should have good command on both the change up, and curve ball. I recommend the circle change, its a easier pitch to throw. Most imporntant thing to remember is location of fingers on the ball.

Answer 11

Just stick with the fastball and changeup. Focus more on pitch placement and count strategy than putting new pitches into the arsenal.