Request advice on developing a young pitcher...

I have a son who'll soon be 11. Although he's only pitched to batters for the past 2 1/2 years, he's been on the mound for about 4 (backyard). My take is that even if a kid doesn't become a pitcher beyond (or even in) L.L., the mechanics of throwing will carry on to other positions. Also, the extra throwing will lead to a stronger arm. Now, to answer your questions:

1. Would do it over in a heart beat! (and wouldn't change a thing)

2. I would continue (and do, again) the work on the mechanics. A great book is called "Coaching Pitchers," by McFarland. From the first times out, I stressed proper mechanics through-out the entire motion. For most beginners, I have found that teaching them to pitch from the stretch is less confusing. Also, we have worked just fastball, then added the change-up 2 years ago once he developed the control. A year ago (the audience can now cringe and groan), we added Coach Bob's spinner pitch (a curve that is thrown like a fastball--only the grip is different).
Finally, is the long-toss program, in my mind a key to arm strengthening. We make it into a game, where he camps in the outfield and I'll hit him fly balls for up to 45 minutes. He gradually increases his throws until he's working on perfect throws to home--no rainbows or worm-burners--from 150-175 feet out ( a nice 1-2 hopper).

3. Not much different I'd do.

JT