sliding,pitching

Question
My 12 yr old daugther is AFRAID to slide, therefore she is a WEAK player when it comes to running bases and scoring. She is also the pitcher and changes her pitch every other throw, not to mention she is bending  forward too muchwhen she releases, in my opinion. HELP please.

Answer
In most cases, the player is more afraid of looking bad because she isn't sure HOW to slide.  I take my girls out in the outfield a couple of times each season and bring a slip and slide to the field.  It may sound crazy, but it gives them a chance to have fun and work on their form at the same time.  Another thing you can do is put a blanket down on a gym floor and have her practice sliding on it.  I think you'll find that once she gets some confidence she'll start attempting to slide.  If you haven't, you need to invest in some sliders to go under her shorts to help prevent injury.  Emphasize that she comes into the base hard, doesn't slow down to make the slide, and gets low.  More injuries occur when girls are unsure of themselves and wait to the last second to slide and wind up hanging a cleat on the base and breaking an ankle.
As for pitching, typically the catcher or coach calls the pitches.  If she is calling her pitches, mixing it up is not a bad thing as long as she has command of all the pitches she is attempting to throw.  I like to instruct my catcher to call pitches, because she has the best view of where the batter is in the box.  If she sets up inside, (close to the plate) I'll pitch inside.  If she sets up outside, we pitch outside.  If the girl is getting around early and pulling everything down the left field line (for a righthander) then you can usually get her out with a well-timed change up.  You are correct, at the release she should be in an upright position.  This will increase the speed, and amount of break she gets on her pitches.  Please make sure she corrects this because it will lead to back and shoulder problems eventually.  Thank you and let me know if this was helpful.