Pitching coach for a not-all-that serious player?

[Anonymous]

We have an 11-year-old son who looooves baseball. He came to it kind of late--at 9--and is not a naturally coordinated kid. But he loves the game and has improved a lot, to the point where he made the All-Star team (in a very low-key league!) last season. Anyway, that's just background.

DH and I harbor no illusions about his playing in college or anything, but we'd love to help him play as long as possible. He likes pitching and is pretty decent. We'd be willing to pay a private coach to get him to a slightly higher level of pitching. I found CoachUp online but the two coaches I've exchanged emails with proved to be pretty flakey (as in, stopped responding when I tried to set up a session).

We live in DC but would be willing to travel a little way outside town for a great coach. Can anyone recommend a private pitching coach who has a great way with kids?

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

The various organizations in the area all offer private lessons, though they can be pricey. These include Win Within in DC and DC Dynasty and in Bethesda BCC Baseball and Koa Sports. You can find information on their websites. You can also try a local high school kid and post an inquiry on a listserve -- this would probably be just fine for your son if the person can find a place to do it, pretty soon it would be fine to practice outdoors but the organizations all have their own indoor facilities to make winter lessons easier.

[Anonymous]

Check out the baseball zone in Gaithersburg. They have private lessons for all levels. Koa as well.

[Anonymous]

What division and league did he play in last year and what division Is he going to play in this year? League age 11 can be tough because in little league you play with 11 and 12 year olds in majors or 11,12, and 13 year olds in intermediate. If you are smaller sized 11 year old who hasn't gone through puberty it is hard to compete against the bigger, older, harder throwing boys.
My point in mentioning this is that you can pay for pitching lessons but your kid might not get a chance to pitch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What division and league did he play in last year and what division Is he going to play in this year? League age 11 can be tough because in little league you play with 11 and 12 year olds in majors or 11,12, and 13 year olds in intermediate. If you are smaller sized 11 year old who hasn't gone through puberty it is hard to compete against the bigger, older, harder throwing boys.
My point in mentioning this is that you can pay for pitching lessons but your kid might not get a chance to pitch.

Have any 11 year old boys gone through puberty? I know dozens of them and I’m pretty sure none of them have. My DS is very tall but, as I say, not particularly coordinated. He is in majors.

[Anonymous]

We do pitching lessons at Prime Performance in Gaithersburg. But it is a commitment, both time and money. I would not do it unless baseball was his passion and first love (which it is for my son). You may want to start with a pitching clinic where you pitch with a group of a few other boys and then decide if you want to pay for private pitching lessons. I second The Baseball Zone for group lessons.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the previous poster.
Private pitching lessons aren't really going to make a difference unless you do a whole lot of them which ends up being a lot of money over a long period of time.
A pitching clinic is a good first step.