What are some effective pitches for a slow left handed pitcher to learn?

Question

I am a junior in high school. I am currently 17.w

also i am a lefty with a 3/4 release (i believe).

I throw a 4-seam fastball, knucklecurve and currently am working on a circle change.

My fastball is in the range of high 50's and low 60's.

I know i pitch really REALLY slow but i did manage to beat some of the best teams in my league but on my really bad days, i just get my pitches smashed.

What should i work on?

Should i try to raise speed on my pitches?

Should i perfect change up? Would my change up have any effect since my fastball is already slow as h**l?

Should i start practicing throwing sidearm? Should i learn a new pitch? If yes, what should i learn?

Answer 1

Work on location. If you can hit your spots and mix in some off-speed pitches, you should be pretty successful.

You can learn to throw a curve ball.

Of course, it wouldn't hurt to try to raise the speed.

Answer 2

work on your curveball, but mostly work on location and varying the speed of your fastball.  A change up probably wont do a lot for you, but if you can keep changing the speed of the fastball and painting the corners of the strike zone you should be okay.  Study Jamie Moyer, a great slow pitching lefty!

Answer 3

The dude that already answered is pretty much right. If I were you, yeah I'd probably practice a little sidearm throwing because it USUALLY works really well for lefties. Just practice as much as you can - curves and the changeup.

Answer 4

Get a slider or curve

Answer 5

Focus one getting stronger. To do this you will need to isolate your workout on the lower body(legs) where you drive and generate the power and speed for the fastball. This way your Change up will be that more devastating and compliment your fast ball seeing that there will be a greater difference in speed. Also, remember that it's always better to have three great pitches vs. five or six alright pitches to work with...

Answer 6

I am a lefty as well, but I am in the mid 80s.

However I was not always fast, and my bread and butter was location location location.

Most important.

Also you will want to have a 2-seam fastball as well as your 4-seam.

Your 4-seam will be your location pitch, and you may be able to put a little speed on the ball with a 2-seam.

A change-up will be hard to throw when you are already low, so work with a slider, or maybe even a cutter because you are a lefty.

DO NOT pitch sidearm, however if you are going to change maybe try a little deception with the way you throw the ball. Don't let hitters see it until the second you release, this has an added speed effect making the ball look faster than it is.

Answer 7

If you throw slow and you're a lefty, I can't think of a better role model than Jamie Moyer.  Fastball, changeup (that he throws at three speeds, which he calls "Slow, slower, and slowest), slurve, cutter. With your current repertoire (once the circle change is working), I'd say get a cutter to jam the lefties. But really, you should focus on two things that will give you the edge every time: Placement and preparation.

Jamie Moyer's books on hitters are revered through the league.  Randy Johnson supposedly borrowed them before the DBacks' World Series victory over the Yankees.  Study your opponents.  Know where they like the ball and where they don't. Know everything about them, and continue to learn more.  That will give you the edge.

You're not a power pitcher - accept it and move on. Learn to place your pitches and get to know the hitters, and you should find quite a bit of success.  And don't worry - EVERYONE gets smashed on their bad days!

Answer 8

i couldnt agree more with SD film maker

if u get a change it will just b like jamie moyer and if u can spot ur pitches, it doesnt matter how hard u throw, ur gonna b able to pitch

Answer 9

I would talk to the strength coach and hit the weight room.  If you increase your musculature in a balanced fashion you should increase your speed dramatically.  This will take time most pros don't crack a 100 until they have been around a while; so if your fundamentals are sound and you do your strengthening correctly you should wind up pitching in college and on to the majors if that is your dream  

Answer 10

Learn a curve or change. It doesnt matter how slow your fastball is because if your change is good then your fastball will look 5-10 mph faster. You could so some light weights. You should clean up your delivery if you can. Make sure theres no hesitation in your delivery. good luck dude.