I need help I'am a 15yr old sophmore who is trying out for J.V, I have good velocity 70-75 but i have control problems, Ive always was able to get by with just a fastball i a cruddy change up. last year my freshman coach screwed up my mechanics and i ended up throwin like keith koulke, any suggestions???

Sancho14,
At your age, you can have the control you are wanting, but are you ready to work hard for it? You can make it fun & I will show you how a little later.

I recommend every time you go out to throw bullpen after warming up, pitch 50 pitches (4 seam fastball only). Work only from the stretch. Have your catcher (dad or someone you trust) set the mitt at the bottom of the strike zone & middle of the plate.

Have your catcher count every pitch aloud as either a ball or strike. Don't question the call. Have the catcher call out after each pitch the ball/strike total until you reach 50 pitches.
Example: 5 & 6 = 5 balls & 6 strikes.
If the ball misses the mitt, but hits within a strike zone, it's a strike. Set your goal to throw 25 strikes. After you reach 25 strikes vs 25 balls, set a new goal. Don't change your goal until you reach your first goal, whether it takes one practice, a week or a month of practices. Then set a new goal, 30 strikes & 20 balls. Then 35 to 15, & so on.

While your catcher counts strikes, you keep count how many pitches you hit the mitt without it moving. Try not to get discouraged.

Keep a scrap book of your pullpens & how you improve. By keeping this list, you can see how you get better, but don't be disappointed, because you will have many down days. You must be patient & presistent for the rewards of hard work.
After each bullpen, write down the date.
Write down balls vs strikes
Write down the times out of 50 that you hit the mitt without it moving.

Don't even think of throwing from the wind-up or throwing different pitches until you throw 40 strikes vs 10 balls.

Don't even think of throwing from the wind-up or throwing different
pitches until you can hit the mitt without it moving, 40 out of 50 times.

To make it fun, if your dad is your catcher, make a deal with him or your mom. For each time you reach your goal, ask them if they will reward your hard work; a burger & shake, a movie, a video game, etc.

How do I know this will work? My son & I practiced this during his teenage years. The results are proven by his freshman year of college. In 60.2 innings pitched over 12 games, #15 only walked 19.
http://hsuathletics.collegesports.com/sports/m-basebl/s...amcume.html#TEAM.MLB

If my son can do it, so can you. Set a goal and don't stop working towards it until you reach it.

Get a striped home plate with colors for different pitches, like outside and inside. Find them at eastbay.com. Practice hitting the colors. Location is the thing when you get to high school ball. Hit the spots and you have a chance to start.