Stop The Meltdown! Slow Pitch Softball Rookie Pitchers "Walk-A-Thon" Fix

[@rossoihus]

I've watched almost all your videos in preparation to start pitching next season. I noticed you haven't posted in a while. I hope you're well, and I hope you'll be able to make new content whenever you're able. Thanks for everything you've taught me!

[@EST.1969]

Yeah it’s been 3 yrs since he made this video so hopefully he is alright

[@mikel646]

I've been pitching for a few years now and I just came across this channel a few months ago. It's given me a lot to think about and try. I really hope you're doing well, ace! Would be great to see more vids.

[@kerree9217]

Will you make anymore videos? They are heavily needed. Thx.

[@utah32804]

Hi Jared, sorry about the low production lately. Selling my house and business and moving. Crazy busy. Hang in there, will be back to normal soon. Thanks for asking!

[@weih9197]

Looking forward for more content ! Good luck on all the changes!

[@weih9197]

Any tip for training for new season?

[@rocketsurgeon4461]

I hope everything’s worked out for you. Just wanted to stop by and say all of your videos are excellent and are EXTREMELY helpful and informative. It’s helped me gain the confidence and skill to become what I consider myself to be a “good pitcher” haha.

[@weih9197]

@@rocketsurgeon4461 same! opposing team keep hitting pop up or ground balls after i get my back spin good and hitting corners

[@weih9197]

Hope everything is well!

[@bathound]

Great channel! I just started pitching on one of my teams and it is time for me to put some work in learning how to do it well. I look forward to working through your content.

[@WillyDial]

this is very good advice from my experience ace... that's how i started out... i just aimed for the center of the strike zone and let my inaccuracy move the ball around for me... i actually did pretty well... along about the 3rd season, I started getting pounded and I came to realize I was now throwing everything right down the middle... so I changed over to looking where I wanted it to go... i had a young lady who was looking for a coach work out with me last week... here's her email after her game... I got MVP! Willy!!!! I'm so excited! I pitched sooo much better tonight. I struck people out!!! I can't wait to see you again! Thanks!

[@brotres]

All your videos have helped me. I’m a intermediate pitcher, and watching then practicing your tips have recently allowed me to be placed on some good teams. Thank you sir, Airborne!

[@usmanaghumman6126]

Hi. Thanks for this great channel. Just had a big playoff and threw a gem I game 1. Game 2 I could not throw a strike for the life of me. Tried everything. Never got it back. This video reminded me that it happens to the best of them. Need to practice more. !! Terrible feeling though

[@jaredsayers5666]

I am new to pitching this year and love your videos. Since I switched to your four seam backspin, my command is improving every week. I just built a practice station like yours and I look forward to my practice sessions much more now. I'm starting to work on the breaking pitches, but they need lots of work. Just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your videos.

[@utah32804]

Thanks, Jared, glad you're enjoying the videos. Send me photos of your practice setup sometime: [e-mail]

[@tysonhaile2927]

I want to build a practice station and help would be great...

[@tysonhaile2927]

I started a beginner league w good friends. We r brutal w each other. The help w command and confidence after watching your videos was awesome. The first team we played had run ruled both of the teams they played prior and I held them to 7 runs. Only walked 2

[@benseales1596]

Does anyone know what happened to the Ace? Man I miss his videos and would love more content. I have been using his system for four seasons now and I have to say it works well. Hope you’re doing well ACE. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@rahoulrdhopade6367]

I have even email him couple times and haven't got any reply. Hopefully everything is well.

[@brennanroy7842]

Guarantee COVID got him. He's an old man in Florida. Chances are he wasn't even vaccinated.

[@jeremygenberg6697]

@@brennanroy7842 This was my same suspicion, that he may have passed away from COVID, as he stopped posting not too long after lockdowns first started.

[@rahoulrdhopade6367]

He had posted in one comment, he is selling business and house and moving away so might just be busy. Also he did reply to one of the comments about 10 months ago. Hopefully he will be back with more content.

[@jeremygenberg6697]

@@rahoulrdhopade6367 I hope this is correct.

[@roderikwarhamar5540]

Love this series. Thank you so much for producing these videos.

[@johnf1089]

Absolutely great advice! As an "Intermediate Pitcher" I have tendencies of falling behind and walking batters. Even those I've previously gotten simple outs from. I think I'm being too fancy and playing with my pitches.

[@MisterMan171]

Hello! I just had my first career pitching performance today and threw a complete game shutout! We won 11-0. The other team only got about 5 or 6 hits and I don't think ever got a runner past second base. Now this team wasn't very good and we play the beasts of the league next week, but I'm still happy with how I played. I don't think they got any extra base hits either.

[@fefetron]

What happened to this guy? it´s been a year.

[@Jedigym]

Love the videos. When will new ones be posted?

[@wayneclark6624]

after my first season of pitching i discovered i have what you describe a curve and knuckle curve - my second year i found the slider and knuckle slider - one game i had a hitter with that killer look in his eye's [ he was there best hitter ] and was working him and one of my fielders said hey are you going to let us play - so i gave that batter a meat ball and my fielder said nothing after that . your advise is solid and can't wait to use

[@cjuvinall81]

since our pitcher is out i got selected to step in, i need to dial in the accuracy but that comes with consistency and its pretty good and after watching your vids i cant say thank you enough, either the first time the slider broke to the 100th time in team pratice and the back spin still gives me the giggles lol still need to get the knuckle with no spin, my big thing is to for some reason to remind myself the release point going from slider to backspin lol. hope everything is well and cant wait for more vids

[@utah32804]

Thanks! Chris

[@romangarcia6423]

Hello sir....love your videos....I don't know if you made a video of this but how can I use the pitchers rubber to my advantage? Where or how should I set up on the rubber as a right handed pitcher?

[@catsofzona]

When I get out of “my groove” I usually just have to switch from screwballs/curveballs to knuckles. Within three or four pitches I’m almost always back.

[@mikelmart]

You're more than an intermediate pitcher it sounds like.

[@bryceboggs4697]

Thank you sir for all your awesome videos!!! By far the most knowledge I have found in regards to slowpitch pitching!! Was wondering....anyway you could make a short video detailing the construction of your practice backstop?? Definitely wanna build one stat!!!!

[@utah32804]

Bryce, thanks for the props. That's a great suggestion! I may have to do that.

[@jaredsayers5666]

Need more videos. How is your season going?

[@jamesdavenport1231]

Been watching alot of your videos. And alot of good information. I've been out of the army now for 5 yrs and decided to start softball this year. I've been looking into pitching as my team needs a good pitcher. Love that you do this. It's a big help. I been trying to figure out the distance between pitchers mound and home plate. I seen your video where you had your put to 60ft. When I looked it up before I seen your video. ASA and others said for slow pitch and fast alike was 50ft.... I'm lost on what to do. I want to set up something at home to work on it. What is thoughts? Thanks for your time and the videos you do it's a great help. God bless.

[@utah32804]

Thanks for the props James. I hope I haven’t said the distance is 60 feet because if I did that is wrong. Let me know which video and I’ll correct it. It is 50 feet from the front of the pitching rubber to the back of the plate. Good luck and keep me posted on your progress.

[@MRIVERA4396]

Love your vids...this will be my first year pitching for my team. I’ve been trying to emulate your pitching motion and I’m having difficulty with the two finger grip. I have average size hands and using two finger grips forces me to grip the ball too hard and be wild...I’ve been doing the same motion but with a three finger grip with better accuracy. Any other tips you can give?

[@weih9197]

@@MRIVERA4396 hey I’ve also done similar since my chubby finger can’t do the two finger grip. I kinda used the same wide two finger grip but with the thumb under to the left and my ring finger to the bottom right . It helped me stabilize the back spin. Not sure how it affect my spin rate. Also for breaking pitch i use the same two finger wide grip on top, thumb on bottom left and ring finger curled up and use the knuckle to help stabilize the throw. Hope this helps !

[@jaredsayers5666]

Hope the move goes well. My pitching has been getting better all summer. I am consistently hitting corners at will with the straight backsping pitch. My breaking pitch away from my pitching hand is getting better. I can hit my spot, but it is only breaking 6-10 inches. Still struggling getting my pitches to break toward my piching hand. Got the balls striped, looks like the right spin, but it doesnt break, i will keep working on it. Looking forward to more updates from you. I feel like my pitching is starting to give my team an advantage, which is great. My league gives the batter 3 real strikes and fouls do not count as the third strike, so i find it difficult to strike people out, its just slow pitch and they have too many chances. I do pretty good at assessing where they stand and where they might have to reach or get jammed up. If i get ahead, then i do pretty good at pitching way inside and getting outs hit right to the third baseman. Our team even uses your shift idea in those situations. Works great. I need more ideas like that from you. More ways to set up the batter to get an out. (I know i need to get a good breaking pitch, i will keep working on it). I live in PA also.

[@utah32804]

Thanks for the props Jared!

[@stephenpatrick11]

Can you detail more of your backyard setup? Curious about making a pitching backstop to get reps in while note at the ballfield.

[@jaredsayers5666]

Where did you go? I miss your videos

[@jakemichael473]

Can you do video or have any suggestions for lefty pitchers

[@ginlasunshine11]

I'm on my second season of pitching. My question is: In our league we have boy and girl balls of different sizes. How do you make adjustments for throwing each size? I prefer the smaller girl ball because as a woman with smaller hands I feel I can grip it better. How do you adjust for alternating between different size balls.

[@utah32804]

Gina, the principle behind these pitches is the same regardless of ball size. What is important is the spin direction and release. The adjustment I recommend would be dependent on the type of pitch you are throwing. Which is your primary pitch?

[@AsThePokeballTurns]

What helped me adjust was to practice adjusting between the two sizes after every pitch. You can bounce the balls against the wall because it is ultimately a mechanical issue as Ace stated and the movement should be the same regardless of ball size. It's just your mind thinks it feels differently at first and your body overcompensates when it doesn't need to. I would also recommend using your practice pitches before the game to ensure you feel good about your "weaker" ball choice. Eventually you won't notice and both balls will be the same.

[@emanuel4491]

I started pitching in our slow pitch league with around a dozen games under my belt this past season. I had some success and showed enough competence that I'll start as a full time pitcher next season. Your videos have been a great help and I'll keep referring to them as I try to improve. My question is about the glove, what size do you recommend for pitching?

[@dantitus600]

Thanks for all your helpful videos. I notice that your release point is low in some videos and high in others. I have trouble with accuracy when I use a low release, which I've used to try to raise my spin rate. Any advice on release point?

[@utah32804]

You're exactly right, Dan. When your release point is low, the spin rate is potentially much higher, and the depth of pitch accuracy is more difficult. A good backspin pitch takes time and reps to master, but it's well worth it as the better the pitch, the harder it is to hit. Work into the low release gradually as you maintain accuracy. Over time you'll find that your spin rate will improve. Thanks for the props, and good luck!

[@brennanroy7842]

@@utah32804 You dead?

[@haroldgeorge892]

Satchel Paige said it best “Throw strikes. Home plate don’t move.”

[@EST.1969]

What about if you play Matt ball how would you pitch with that format

[@3sco28]

I’m new to pitch after 15 years of playing CF in softball! I’ve always wanted to pitch but we play moderate

[@robballer3469]

Please address pregame stretches you use.. especially for shoulder

[@utah32804]

Hi Rob,I don't do much stretching, just windmill my pitching arm forward and back for 2-3 minutes. My main focus to warm up is with plenty of pitches. I start at about 3/4 distance, gradually moving back a few steps every 10 pitches or so until I reach 50 feet. At that point, my arm and shoulder usually feel warmed up. I know my arm is ready when I can throw to full distance without much effort. When my arm's cold, I have to force it to reach the plate. Hope this helps.

[@calycarrejo9551]

Do you have new videos, or you not longer published?

[@terrydoyle1141]

I've got two or three things I do if I "lose it" in a game. First, I've only got two pitches, backspin most of the time and a forward spin that sometimes breaks to the glove side. If I'm losing it, I'll a) switch to the other pitch and b) mechanics: I want to land perfectly balanced on my lead foot. That's it. Maybe c) don't rush to make the next pitch. Think about it, take a deep breath. Land in a balanced position and get set.

[@xXTheThinkTankXx]

Whats your practice backstop you use?

[@calycarrejo9551]

Do You have videos from games that You pitch? Im Rey Carrejo from México and a beginner pitcher.

[@schroederfamily8792]

Do you still answer questions? Thanks

[@virgiltuhy6051]

Are you playing this season? Haven’t heard from you in a while good sir.

[@jordanchristeson2872]

I’ve been working on the slider for a few weeks (~1500 pitches) I’ve tried to follow this word for word, but the trajectory keeps traveling the same as a screwball. Bc the palms facing 3rd base, the natural realignment of my wrist as I release the ball sends it third base side of the plate everytime. The wrist pronation and release seems to overpower my emphases on the middle/little finger leading. Is the slider supposed to feel uncomfortable or unnatural to pitch compared to the others? That’s how it feels at this point

[@jonnykamp4066]

What are your thoughts on 2 pitchers that rotate in a game? My wife is a coach for one of our teams and is set in her ways that having 2 pitchers in a game will throw off batters with different look pitchers.

[@utah32804]

I think rotating pitchers can be effective, especially if their pitching styles vary.

[@calebcicero7727]

getting ready to pitch my first game ever, any tips?

[@utah32804]

Pitch down the middle on every pitch (don't worry, the pitches won't be down the middle) and don't get discouraged when you walk batters.

[@golfflunky]

What is a good ratio strikes to balls you want in practice?

[@weih9197]

anyone know if Weeknight Ace is ok?

[@utah32804]

I'm fine Wei, thanks for asking. Still in transition. Last year was pretty crazy and derailed plans for a lot of folks including me. Hopefully I' be back in business by the fall.

[@weih9197]

@@utah32804, good to hear from ya! Just finally able to play a short summer season slowpitch!!! your video has help me a lot! I can throw a consistent slider and a middle high spin strike now!

[@weih9197]

@@utah32804 we're back in full summer season now~!

[@weih9197]

@@utah32804 Still looking forward for more content!

[@weih9197]

any update for 2024?@@utah32804

[@joshuadickinson5349]

When are some new videos coming out?! Your videos have definitely helped me out on the mound!

[@utah32804]

Hi Joshua, glad the videos are helping out. Down for a while, hopefully will be back soon.

[@kbro666]

I have a question about softball pitching in general. I'm not much of a rookie but have been pitching for a few years. I normally pitch mostly backspin balls and occasionally pitch a knuckle. But my issue is throwing against left handed batters. No matter if I try to spin one inside or move the the left of the pitching mound and throwing it inside I always get crushed. The league i play in has mostly righties but there's maybe 8 or 9 lefties. What's the best option to get them to ground out and avoid the long ball.

[@utah32804]

Hi Keith. Left-handed batters can be a challenge, especially advanced hitters. Before advising pitching strategy for a particular type of hitter, I always remind my student that slow-pitch softball is a high percentage hitting game by nature. A realistic goal is to reduce the batter's hitting percentage, making him uncomfortable at the plate by making him adjust to you. Another point to remember is that successful pitching equals pitching to your defense. Here is my approach when pitching to left-handed batters. The slider is my hardest breaking pitch, so that's my first choice "out" pitch. I will throw it inside-middle, breaking hard inside down on the batter's feet. I will throw this pitch after getting one strike by either pitching an outside slider breaking back over the outside corner of the plate or a knuckle-ball for a strike. Many times the batter will roll the hard inside slider over to 1B or 2B. The pitch must be down, just even with the back of the plate or shorter. And, it must break in hard well off the plate. Another approach is to pitch him down and away with the screw-ball. Lefties love to pull the ball to right field, and this pitch breaking down and away is often frustrating. This combination will often result in slow rollovers to 2B and SS. Again, the pitch must be short and down. The key here is command of your breaking pitches. Consistent control will reduce your opponent's batting averages. Good luck and let me know how it goes.

[@Trashpanda0017]

Whats up man been a while

[@utah32804]

Hey Christopher, selling my house and getting ready to move. Crazy busy and hope to get back in a routine soon.

[@Trashpanda0017]

@@utah32804 gonna send you an email. Funny story I had a no no through 4 innings here recently.

[@bubbagrose8054]

What do you do when the umpire won't call the corners

[@utah32804]

It's the same problem anytime you don't get the calls you should get. The worst thing you can do is to get frustrated and start arguing with the ump. He'll just get his back up and make you miserable. Not getting corners usually happens when batters start taking your pitches. A pitcher will get behind or walk a batter so they'll sit on you and make you throw a strike. Start out with a fat pitch, right down the middle, then concentrate on the inside or outside half of the plate. Do your best to get the batter to hit to one side of your defense. If you have good breaking pitches, they can be useful here. Start down the middle and let them run to the inside or outside. Hitters are more likely to hit pitches that start out looking fat. Good luck!

[@jaimevelasquez9436]

Can anyone learn how to slow pitch?

[@utah32804]

Jaime, I think anyone with average abilities and the discipline required to put in the time can learn to slow pitch and pitch well.

[@rogerhackler223]

Intentionally bean the batter in slowpitch softball, and striking out at bat is the way to play the game, and yes it will make it better! Make sure you break the rules that forbid bunting, leading off, and stealing base , because slowpitch softball is not real softball as a game!

[@bryanclark2648]

Pro tip, Videos to long..

[@golfflunky]

What is a good ratio strikes to balls you want in practice?

[@utah32804]

Hi Jeff. I don't use a strike to ball ratio to measure accuracy. I aim at a particular spot. For example, I'll aim at the corner of the plate and hit within 3 inches of that spot, 4 out of 5 times. When you set up the hitter, you can often get him out with a pitch out of the strike zone. Good luck!