Baseball Journal

[brock ratcliff]

I felt the same way about curve balls until a couple of years ago. We happened to run into a long lost friend of mine at a clinic. He was by far the best pitcher in our area growing up, and went on to play for the Twins until '95 when his elbow blew out. He explained to Mason the importance of proper mechanics, and showed him how to throw a curve that would not damage his arm. I freaked out, told him I didn't think his history was an indicator that he knew how to protect an arm, etc. He took my poor manners in stride and told me that he understood my position. He said that if Mason ever experienced any arm pain, to stop him immediately. That was three or four years ago. Mason has NEVER had a sore arm. It's all I can do to get him to ice his arm even after a long game. He usually wants to throw more once we get home...and I am not kidding. Every kid I've ever had pitch will eventually say their arm is sore, except Mason. And it is not because he has a high tolerance for pain, he simply does not have arm issues due to his mechanics being sharp. His arm slot does not fly out, he doesn't roll his wrist out, and he throws with his legs and core. So far, I'll let him throw what he wants.

Please understand, I'm not disagreeing with you. But, as Bobby said, done properly there seems to be no harm.

 

["J"]

I felt the same way about curve balls until a couple of years ago. We happened to run into a long lost friend of mine at a clinic. He was by far the best pitcher in our area growing up, and went on to play for the Twins until '95 when his elbow blew out. He explained to Mason the importance of proper mechanics, and showed him how to throw a curve that would not damage his arm. I freaked out, told him I didn't think his history was an indicator that he knew how to protect an arm, etc. He took my poor manners in stride and told me that he understood my position. He said that if Mason ever experienced any arm pain, to stop him immediately. That was three or four years ago. Mason has NEVER had a sore arm. It's all I can do to get him to ice his arm even after a long game. He usually wants to throw more once we get home...and I am not kidding. Every kid I've ever had pitch will eventually say their arm is sore, except Mason. And it is not because he has a high tolerance for pain, he simply does not have arm issues due to his mechanics being sharp. His arm slot does not fly out, he doesn't roll his wrist out, and he throws with his legs and core. So far, I'll let him throw what he wants.

Please understand, I'm not disagreeing with you. But, as Bobby said, done properly there seems to be no harm.

That's good too hear Brock, as we all have a list of friends who were ruined by their senior year throwing junk they shouldn't have been throwing egged on by a win at all cost coach....

 

[OO2]

I've played with guys in SWL when I was younger that were throwing curves at 10/11 haha. Everyone has their own opinion on the matter.

The most successful pitchers I've played with and against especially as we got deeper into the tourney relied on fastball and change-up. A curveball is easy to poke over the second basemans head IMO.

In the end it's all about sequence and location.

 

[jagermeister]

Please understand, I'm not disagreeing with you. But, as Bobby said, done properly there seems to be no harm.

No, I totally get it... And I'm glad he's using proper mechanics. If thrown properly, the likelihood of damage is pretty low. The biggest issue is that other kids see kids like Mason snapping off curveballs, striking kids out, and next thing you know every kid wants to throw curveballs too, even though no one took the time to teach them the proper way. I just personally don't see a need for it at that level. But that's just me. I'm really glad to hear that Mason loves to pitch and takes pride in his craft, though. Being a former pitcher, I am obviously biased. It's my favorite position on the field.

 

[brock ratcliff]

I know for a fact kids do try to throw pitches they should not. No argument from me on that!

One of these days I'll put some video of him pitching on here. Maybe you guys will see things I've missed. When he's on, as he is right now, it's just pretty.

 

[jagermeister]

I know for a fact kids do try to throw pitches they should not. No argument from me on that!

One of these days I'll put some video of him pitching on here. Maybe you guys will see things I've missed. When he's on, as he is right now, it's just pretty.

Please do! It'd be great to see him in action.

 

[Dustinb80]

I'll second that

 

[Buckmaster]

My 9 year olds won Game 1 last night in a shifty scoring 5-4 thriller win last night. It all came down the last pitch. Fun stuff! I love being a Dad and Coach.

 

[brock ratcliff]

Those games are awesome! Glad you guys had the 5!

 

[giles]

I've seen Mason pitch...he needs to plant that foot. He spins on his toes.

 

[giles]

Maybe it was just that day I seen him, but that's what I noticed. You see that often with younger kids.

 

[brock ratcliff]

Ha. I'll need a better description sometime. Wth do you mean by "spins on his toes " ? Haha. I see him on the rubber doing a ballet thing now.

 

[brock ratcliff]

Opening night was last night. Masons coach decided to use him He pitched all 7. Walked none. Gave up two legit hits, and still lost. Unfortunately, he was drafted by a poor team. He went 2/3 at the plate with 3 RBI. His hitting is really coming together, which has taken a lot of effort as he has always struggled periodically. He is showing maturity at the plate, hands in tight and going opposite field when he needs to.
They had another game tonight. It was horrible. They used every other pitcher they have. It's going to be a long season for these kids if they don't get some help in every area. I don't want to over step, but I may have to offer assistance. Weird spot to be in.
One of the coaches took pics last night. Here is Mason, and yes he's wrapped around like Johnny Quito. He does that when he doesn't have runners on, really quick slide step if he does.

 

[aholdren]

Great stuff Brock!! I enjoy following, I wished we had Mason pitching for us!!!! Going 2 for 3 I wished he was simply just playing with us!!

 

[Big_Holla]

Looking good Mason!! Hope the rest of the team catches up!!!

 

[Dustinb80]

Nice update Brock. Hope the team shapes up.

 

[brock ratcliff]

Mason had his first practice tonight with the 17u team. He pitched "live batting practice " to 5 players. He did well. Struck out two, two ground outs, and one solid basehit. The highlight was him striking out one of the seniors. I heard one of the boys say, "dude you just got burned by an 8th grader". Ha. His fielding was sharp too, which it needed to be. He came home in a mood though saying he felt like some of the boys seemed to think he was just there to chase fouls. Hopefully that feeling will be incentive enough to keep him working hard. Hopefully it will be a beneficial experience.

 

[Dustinb80]

I hope that works as motivation for him Brock.

 

[Boarhead]

Great update Brock!
Burned by an 8th grader.[emoji23] [emoji23]

 

[brock ratcliff]

Mason pitched well in Tuesday s game. Walked one, hit one batter too when he tried to throw a knuckle ball for the first time in a game. Ha. That thing was dead in the air, but off track. I think the opponents had three clean hits... and we still lost due to errors. He was 1/1 at the plate with an additional walk.
They were run-ruled tonight. Mason went 2/2 with two very solid drives. One of which was an opposite field rip. We had four basehits total.
I gotta mention this since it's boasting about my boy.... while he was pitching Tuesday, I went around behind the plate to try getting some decent video. There was a varsity coach there watching. After Mason struck out the third kid in a row, he asked if he was my kid and wanted to know where he would be attending high school. About that time the umpire walked back to join the conversation between innings. Apparently he had told this coach he should come watch Mason pitch as he had also umpired the first game of the season and was impressed. Maybe it was just to see him spin on his toes...ha
Jesse- he's been working on getting his cutter to "break like Jesse's". I didn't see you throw it to him but it must have been pretty good cause he still doesn't think his is as good as it should be.