Sliders

Question
I am 17 years old and i am pitching pretty decently. however, my coach doesnt want me to pitch because i dont know how to throw a slider. is a slider really that valuable of a pitch learn, considering i have an excellent curve?

Answer
A slider is a pitch I learned out of necessity. I too threw a curveball, all the way till i reached Double-A (about 23 years old). It was then that  I needed a breaking pitch I could command (throw a lot of strikes with) and that looked like a fastball out of my hand. So i changed the grip ever slightly and threw the curve with less break.
If the coach is that strict about you throwing a slider and you really want to be a pitcher. Tell him that you've learned a slider and simply throw your curve a little harder! (if he can tell the difference i woulfd be surprised) Its basically the same pitch except for the speed differential. so mess with the grip a little and try throwing the curve with less break. Start the pitch at the catcher's mask or lower and get it to break into the dirt.
(As  a pitcher you should try throwing all of your pitches at slightly different speeds)
-Jon