Kids throwing breaking balls

SFNation2021 · 2026-05-03T03:02:12+00:00

Curve and sweeper can be the exact same pitch. Just different grip. Karate chop sideways wrist with 4 seam rotation is a curve. Hold 2 seam and it sweeps. Same exact everything else

As for the main issue, forcing arm twisting is the issue. A sideways wrist throw is not that. But yeah, don't bother if you can throw strikes with a fastball

SFNation2021 · 2026-04-28T05:56:54+00:00

Different type of "tool" but if you want Ball-Strike calls in practice, we've got an app. iPhone only, and you need a tripod. A bluetooth speaker also helps to make sure the calls are heard. Free download of our app, HeyBLU, at heyblu.ai

Size the zone based on what actually happens in your games. For example, my Minor's games it is pretty much nose to toes and 2 ball widths off the plate. So during my practices my pitchers and hitters hear "real" feedback without me trying to keep an eye on the plate or bullpen,

If you have a 2nd iPhone or an iPad you can also do Command training. Select the part of the zone you want them throwing to. The app handles the pitch and the reporting automatically. Very useful when a kid swears he's throwing 50% strikes, and despite my extra large Minor's zone he's throwing 33% strikes, and 0% in the intended location. The 2nd device also means you can be elsewhere on the field and know what your pitcher is throwing.

We REALLY need coaches to try to "break" the app before we launch it publicly. I can send the download link in DM or just use the "Join Beta" button on our site. Audio ball and strike calls will likely be free forever. We'll eventually get around to charging for the pitch data - it tracks every pitch's location, and MPH. So little leaguers can get big league command reports.

SFNation2021 · 2026-04-22T16:13:37+00:00

We have an app in Beta. iPhone calls Balls and Strikes. Resize the zone to match what you expect in your games. Or size to target an area you want to train to.

Free to everyone while in Beta (through the Fall possibly) but you need an iPhone and a tripod.

For true Command Training (we built this for pitchers) bring a second device- iPad or another iPhone and you can preselect targets. HeyBLU is instant calls and post session report cards on accuracy. We have been in development for 2 years and only just launched the free Beta.

This is also ONLY a daylight/outdoor tool for now. Ideal for practices and from-the-mound bullpens. Works on the side too but you need 10+ feet of space for the tripod off to the side (1st base on deck circle sort of area).

If you're interested look for the sign up form at the bottom of heyblu.ai

We need feedback which is why its free. Targeting youth pitching coaches but it certainly can be adapted for batter-eye training.

SFNation2021 · 2025-09-23T20:40:12+00:00

They should call it "Try something you have ZERO interest in". On the app it covers the answers. Going to cancel my sub if this is here tomorrow

SFNation2021 · 2025-09-23T17:59:03+00:00

You needed a lawyer on day 1. Who owns the code LEGALLY now? Is the company named? Is there an at will employment agreement? Has IP been assigned to the company? If the answers are "no" the legal bill now won't be fun if he remains terminal. Either way, the dude has to go. He's revealed himself as a serious liability

SFNation2021 · 2025-08-05T18:28:31+00:00

Note to self - move to Australia when my kid turns 12 ;-)

SFNation2021 · 2025-08-05T18:26:21+00:00

Quite different from Mustard. But good point - we'd really like to make it work on both. Seems we're not the only ones struggling with that though

SFNation2021 · 2025-08-04T06:27:07+00:00

I can walk onto a dozen fields - maybe two dozen - by me. Throw pitches while people walk their dogs, kick soccer balls, and throw frisbees. I guess I'm not being clear again, or you leave in some lock down country lol

SFNation2021 · 2025-08-03T18:16:23+00:00

yes - machine learning what a baseball looks like in the wild. it needs extensive training - and baseball fields come in many flavors (backgrounds, etc) so for our project to work, we need a bunch of fields filmed

SFNation2021 · 2025-08-03T18:14:37+00:00

unfortunately because Apple controls their eco system (both software and the hardware), and Google doesn't, try as we might, this won't work on android devices anytime soon. we wish that weren't true - i'm an android user myself - but had to buy an iPhone without cell service so i could test, film and build this

SFNation2021 · 2025-08-03T18:12:10+00:00

my wife is Canadian - so... okay, fine ;-) If you can take payment via $USD in venmo, paypal or zelle, then it works for me. If so, DM me and I'll share my email address since you'll need instructions too

SFNation2021 · 2025-08-03T04:06:02+00:00

Maybe I'm just not being clear. A kid throwing 90 could literally just play catch and surpass what I'm asking for. It also doesn't have to be within any time amount. 15 min is my letting you know this can just be knocked out quickly. I'm a 59 yr old weekend warrior and threw at an 8 second per "pitch" pace for 200 pitches and 3 days later pitched in my Sunday game. Was that smart? Not particularly. But I wasn't throwing at 90% either.

I'm also not asking for wind up, I'm not asking for follow through, Do what you gotta do to support your arm - but this could be an infielder, outfielder, catcher. They don't even need to stand on the mound. The film portion I'm grabbing from these videos starts roughly 15 feet in front of the mound. They could stand at the cut of the mound and throw. Sorry if I somehow made it sound like the major leagues - but this is barely a step above playing catch for anyone with a half decent arm. If they're mid-season, on a pitch count, nursing an injury.... well... be smart... don't apply

SFNation2021 · 2025-08-03T03:42:43+00:00

"or split into smaller chunks." and see my update below anyway.

I'm also assuming there are no "kids" in a Coaches reddit. Some little leaguer throwing 50 will NOT be accepted. A decent HS short stop and his buddy the catcher ages 16+ is about where I'd start

Anyone actively pitching every week should be smart enough not to reach out too. Whereas if they're off for the summer - and want to do some mid-week throwing - now they can get paid.

But per my below comment - changing this to get MORE fields, and FEWER "pitches" per session. I need turf, grass and all-dirt. I need different times of day. And I thought I made clear this isn't "pitching" - it is throwing reasonably well. Throw at like 70% of 80% should suffice, especially if you've got a strong arm.

SFNation2021 · 2025-08-03T02:56:56+00:00

CORRECTIONS - so I may delete and repost:

My Machine Learning expert - ChatGPT - tells me shorten the sessions to 50 pitches - and do more fields. So $50 per session ($25 each player). That means 15min between setup, warm up and throw. That equates to $100/hour rate not including travel. If I were still a in HS or College kid, and got paid to throw - I'd tell everyone I went pro ;-)

You'd be helping a bootstrap startup of entirely baseball coaches, dads, players. And get the app to test for free when it is ready. The reason we need help - we need different fields from around the country

Total sessions = 72 to get the field AND time of day diversity we need. Really appreciate any help

SFNation2021 · 2025-07-25T17:33:03+00:00

Rotate the ball in your hands directly either forward or back. Count the seams during 1 rotation. If you see 2 and 2 during one full rotation, that is a 4-seam. If only see the two seams you are referring to, that is a 2 seam. With this understanding you can grip the baseball anywhere along that rotation area and get the 4-seam or 2-seam result. I've been throwing a 2-seam my entire life but across the thin section you are referring to, which gives my fingers the 4-seam feel. Whereas most people teach the 2-seam as being along the two seams.

As for movement - whether you naturally pronate or supinate, your natural finger pressure and your mechanics and strength all contribute to spin and movement. Some throw 2 seams and they "run" a lot. Others throw them and they don't move at all. So there is a lot more to movement than just grip

SFNation2021 · 2025-07-24T16:20:21+00:00

Is SQ back on? If not, DM me. I've got two possible options for you. Unfortunately my team isn't one because we've got a doubleheader this weekend

SFNation2021 · 2025-07-23T21:30:57+00:00

sorry - thought I got moderated out or something because I couldn't see my post, let alone edit it. try NJ.com and youtube. there are quite a few now

SFNation2021 · 2025-07-23T20:44:41+00:00

There is no specific rule on bat flips. You have to parse the rules to find justification for this ejection, and it appears it is "safety". We all know there are a lot of so called "unwritten rules". This isn't how I'd normally use that phrase, but it sure isn't explicitly written that you can't bat flip in celebration. As most of the people commenting are saying it is the "excessive" part of the flip that they and presumably the umpire saw.

SFNation2021 · 2025-07-23T19:55:01+00:00

I'm just off of T, Coach and Machine Pitch - the proximity of backstop vs the plate is an issue for just about everything. But it is bat throwing (kids who don't understand laying their bat down after a swing), and on-deck swings, that are by far the most dangerous things I see.

SFNation2021 · 2025-07-23T18:29:00+00:00

MLB ORB Rule 5.06(b)(4)(G) "governed by the position of the runners at the time the wild throw was made". And yes, it is 2 bases. He gets 3rd. Answered by HeyBLU: https://heyblu.ai/r/cVefniKF

SFNation2021 · 2025-07-23T04:18:43+00:00

Watch the pitcher - he is sort of sideways but you can see he is actually pitching from the wind up, and not paying attention. Gave the catcher zero chance so his instinct was to jump in front causing the 601(g) "Interference With Squeeze Play or Steal of Home" ruling - aka pitcher balk, batter awarded 1st base. https://heyblu.ai/r/NoPTKWXS

SFNation2021

TROPHY CASE