Let Every Kid Pitch: A Youth Baseball Coaching Moment That Mattered

Since 2018, I've been coaching youth sports.

My first player was my son, who is now 12. This season is my first as a head coach, and it's in the sport I know best—baseball. I've always disliked how some coaches in youth sports restrict kids to just a few positions. I believe in giving every player a chance, especially at pitching.

From the start, I told my players, "Everyone will learn to pitch."

Great coaching is about developing kids, regardless of their natural ability. Today, I conducted one of my favorite pitching drills. All 12 players lined up along the right field foul line. We began with pitching mechanics from the stretch, focusing on:

• Stance

• Stride

• Foot placement

• Arm angles

• Rotation

We also practiced the towel drill to enhance muscle memory and mechanics. Then came the real test. Each player took the mound and threw a total of 30 pitches into a 9-hole target net.

After pitching, each player stepped into the batter's box while the next pitcher threw, either bunting or just standing in. Strikes were counted if they hit the 9-hole or landed where an umpire might realistically call it.

We worked from three distances:

• 30 feet

• 40 feet

• 51 feet

Each player threw 10 pitches at each distance. I added a small incentive: $10 for the top scorer. Nine of the boys excelled, and three, who were less experienced, showed significant improvement. I adjusted their drill to 10 pitches at 30 feet and 20 at 40 feet. The focus was on accuracy, not speed.

The top scores were:

• 25/30

• 24/30

• Two at 23/30

• Two at 21/30

• One at 19/30

• One at 17/30

  
  

What stood out most was their expressions. The joy of improving and seeing progress meant everything. My assistant coach helped on the mound while I coached from behind the plate, and it worked perfectly. This drill wasn't just about pitching; it was about building confidence, teamwork, and focus.

With seven weeks left in the season, I know this simple competition will lead to significant improvements by the end. If you coach a youth baseball team, try this. You'll be amazed at what your players can achieve when given a chance.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, youth sports should be about growth—on and off the field. As a coach, it’s not just about wins and losses. It’s about watching a kid who couldn’t throw a strike in warmups finish practice with confidence in their eyes. That’s the real victory. If you’re a coach, give every player a chance. Develop them. Believe in them. You never know which one might surprise you. And for the parents, keep cheering them on. These moments matter more than we realize.

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