Developing Players

WESLACO - Little League umpire Bobby Lopez stands at the pitcher's mound and waits patiently while holding a baseball in one of his outstretched hands.

When hitter and catcher are ready, Lopez places the ball into a machine standing in front of him, which propels the orb into the catcher's mitt at speeds of as fast as 60 mph.

In today's little leagues, the ATEC Rookie Pitching Machine is now a commonly seen tool at ballparks around the country.

Purchased by the Weslaco Boys & Girls Club three years ago, the pitching machine has changed the complexion of little league baseball in Weslaco.

Many leagues and coaches have turned to the machine for games and practice drills. Earlier in the decade, Major League Baseball and the Boys & Girls Club of America worked together to adapt the rookie machine as a tool to help develop players and save young, developing pitchers from potential future arm injuries.

The machine stands about five feet tall and features built-in wheels and three legs in a tripod configuration for stability.

The rookie machine is battery operated when in use and can serve in three games if fully charged. Boys & Girls Sports Coordinator Edgar Valerio said since the adoption of the rookie machine, the players have improved their skills and games have gone according to schedule.

"It makes the pace of the game a lot smoother," Valerio said. "The kids benefit from it because the kids know where the ball is going to be."

Many see it as a savior of preventing arm problems for pitchers.

"Major League Baseball was concerned with kids throwing curve balls, some having Tommy John surgery," said Weslaco Boys & Girls Club Director David Fox.

Little league coach Raymond Givalancz said some young pitchers play year-round, which can lead to physical problems that could shorten their promising careers.  

"What you see is parents put their kids in a team in Weslaco, Mercedes, then year-round teams and you have the pitcher pitching year-round," Givalancz said. "I think that's why the National Baseball League stepped in with the Boys & Girls Club and helped put a stop to this." 

Each batter has a five-pitch limit so should the count go to five pitches, it's either an out or hit. Foul balls are considered an out.
Veteran little league coaches such as Givalancz and Emiliano Saavedra see the rookie machine as a positive in more ways than one.

Aside from saving pitchers' arms, players get more game experience in fielding plays and develop fundamental skills as defenders. Givalancz said pitchers at the little league level are known to dominate the game, leaving less of an opportunity for fielders to make plays.

"Too many parents get wrapped up in wins where we should be promoting basics," Givalancz said. "Later on, Bronco League or high school coaches will get more well-rounded players."

Then of course comes the fear factor, and less of it.

By taking the human out of the equation, coaches and players no longer fear high and inside pitches.

"It's a little safer regarding to pitches," Saavedra said. "The other way, the kids would get hurt."