My First Pitch Program

Overview

My First Pitch is the official introduction to Baseball Canada’s pitching program. The program is designed for all young baseball players ages 10 and 11 and aims to increase interest in baseball at the Learn to Train stage of development.

My First Pitch introduces topics such as grips, pitching mechanics and proper throwing techniques while demonstrating multiple drills to identify and correct major pitching flaws. The program also helps coaches, athletes and parents understand the rationale behind Baseball Canada’s pitch count approach.

Goals

1. Reduce the number of young athletes with arm injuries by teaching them proper throwing mechanics
2. Provide athletes with the necessary skills to play baseball in order to increase fun
3. Prevent coaches and athletes to specialize in one position at this age group
4. Increase awareness of pitch count and the negative effect of overuse
5. Help parents realize the importance that this is the most important stage for the development of baseball specific skills

Teaching Points of the My First Pitch Program

• Teaching young pitchers the stretch position vs full wind-up
• Gripping the baseball
• Set up on the mound
• Beginning momentum towards home plate
• Stride
• Landing front foot
• Releasing the baseball
• Follow through
• Coaching Points
• Compare the youth pitcher and the professional

Drills Used to Emphasize Good Pitching Mechanics

• Lift and thrust drill
• Knee drill
• Rock and fire drill
• 3 "x” drill
• Hit the hat drill
• Japanese pitching drill or 18 strikes
• Run and gun

Appendixes

• Physical literacy warm-up: Age 7 and 8
• Physical literacy warm-up: Age 9 and 10
• Physical literacy warm-up: Age 11 and up 

Clinic

Baseball PEI will put on a seventy-five (75) to ninety (90) minute My First Pitch clinic for your team and/or association. Contact Baseball PEI for more information.

Booklet

If you wish to have a My First Pitch Booklet, contact Baseball PEI. A PDF of the booklet can be found here: My First Pitch Booklet.

My First Pitch Online eLearning Module

Baseball Canada is excited to announce a new product for coaches, the My First Pitch eLearning Module. This tool, available to coaches via their account on nccp.baseball.ca, is designed to support coaches while navigating an athlete’s first experience on the pitcher’s mound.  (The cost is $14.95)

The module targets coaches of athletes in the 11U age bracket with highlights of the program including Supporting New Pitchers, Teaching Pitching Mechanics, Drills to Improve Pitching Mechanics and Safety Rules to Protect Young Pitchers.

Designed in a user-friendly format, the My First Pitch e-Learning Module can be accessed on your NCCP coaches page by clicking on STATUS > PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT > MY FIRST PITCH