I remember the "unfocused" days as well. When my daughter decided she wanted to pitch way back when, I was given some advice from a woman who had played in college (I knew virtually nothing about the windmill pitch mechanically). She told me the first step was just to get her to throw the ball as hard as she could. Not to worry so much about control, that would come later. Best advice, I think. She came to basically dominate her rec league because everyone was afraid of her speed. Anyway... she'd go out there and blast away at the catchers mitt and after a few batters not swinging at anything and basically ducking out of the way, she'd lose focus and end up hitting someone. Like you say, you can just see it in their eyes or on their faces.... I'd either do a mound visit or wait for her to come back to the dugout ... And... I'd try to piss her off... And... then.. when she was pissed.... boom boom boom.
She definitely peaked in terms of speed and development... and players caught up and passed her as well. She is an adequate pitcher on the travel circuit, but not even close to dominant like the old old days. That's cool, though, because she's learned to pitch and not just throw. And... I don't have to piss her off anymore. She is calm cool and collected. As a pitcher, I think, should be.
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