“Spin it to Win it” with Butch Latey, a two-disk DVD set, discusses the proper mechanics necessary to throw the screw ball and rise ball (disk 1), curve ball and drop ball (disk 2) pitched Fast Pitch Softball. Conducted as a pitching lesson for one of his students, Coach Latey provides guidance on the spin, motion and grip for each pitch and points out the difference and similarities between the pitches to provide cues to his student. Then at the conclusion of each pitch section, the student pitches off the rubber and Coach Latey critiques the pitcher’s mechanics.

This is a pretty good video, if for no other reason than the viewer can watch the pitcher pitch the ball, seeing not just the grip, but the stride, the body lean and the follow-through for each pitch. With Coach Latey providing real-time feedback, one can quickly learn what proper mechanics look like for each type of pitch, as well as common flaws for which to watch. He is also a great example of a positive coach with his players who loves doing what he does.

As with most videos, it has to be watched in its entirety to get all the good tidbits that Coach Latey provides, and the viewer should probably have a pen and paper handy to take notes. There is no easy way to search and find specific details afterwards, and the DVD chapters are pretty big (each pitch is its own entire chapter, with no sub-chapters within the pitch). Additionally, because it is presented in pitching-lesson format, Coach Latey uses terminologies and techniques that are not explained in the DVD, and the viewer has to try and figure out what he means. I believe I would have gotten more out of the video if I was not periodically wondering, “What did he mean by that?” or “Why is that a point of emphasis for him?”

I compare this DVD set to the book “The Softball Pitching Edge” by Cheri Kempf, which in my opinion is the best pitching resource out there. “Spin it to Win it” compliments “The Softball Pitching Edge”, but does not replace it. It is a handy reference to see pitches in motion, but otherwise it will probably collect dust in the video library, as the ad-hoc pitching lesson presentation and unexplained terminologies detract from what is otherwise solid information.

If you get it, take notes and put them in “The Softball Pitching Edge” as an appendix.

BellaOnline Softball Subject List: Coach´s Box, Health & Medical, History of Softball, International Softball, Organizations, Parents , Professional Softball, Reviews, Rules & Regulations, Scorekeeping, Stats & Analysis, Travel Ball