Another reason why HS coaches irk me

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Just let me vent for a minute.

The starting pitcher on her HS team pitches five innings of shut-out ball. No walks. They have a 4 run lead. Coach puts another pitcher in for final two innings because she "doesn't want the opposing team's batters to get a third look" at the starter.

The next start, however, is a different story. The pitcher is not quite as sharp, yet still holds a 5-4 lead after 4 innings. Coach pulls her, another girl comes in and throws three scoreless innings.

My opinion is that the correct call was made in the second situation. But in the first game, when you're clearly in command - keep throwing, regardless of how many times the batters "see you". Momentum builds confidence, which, in turn, increases momentum...

Or am I over-analyzing this?

 

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I agree that the correct call was made in the second situation.

As for the first, meh, the reason given for the switch could have been merely something to placate parents. Could have been that the game result was not in question, and coach wanted to give the #2 some innings, simple as that. jmo

 

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If this was travel ball, would you be asking this?

I don't know about your DD's team, but my DD's HS team is playing 6 games this week. That is a lot of throwing for just one pitcher. Sure would be nice to "share the load". Plus it gets the other pitcher some experience.

So, yes, I think you are over-analyzing

 

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Travel ball; no problem with the call. We could be playing 6-8 games in one weekend.

Both cases above had no games scheduled for 4 more days...

 

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You now have one pitcher with 8 innings and another one with 6 innings and dont forget its a TEAM game you are have 2 wins as a team.

 

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Just let me vent for a minute.

The starting pitcher on her HS team pitches five innings of shut-out ball. No walks. They have a 4 run lead. Coach puts another pitcher in for final two innings because she "doesn't want the opposing team's batters to get a third look" at the starter.

The next start, however, is a different story. The pitcher is not quite as sharp, yet still holds a 5-4 lead after 4 innings. Coach pulls her, another girl comes in and throws three scoreless innings.

My opinion is that the correct call was made in the second situation. But in the first game, when you're clearly in command - keep throwing, regardless of how many times the batters "see you". Momentum builds confidence, which, in turn, increases momentum...

Or am I over-analyzing this?

Did they win both games? If so doesnt matter in my opinion. Team game exactly.

 

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Softballisfun hit it dead on.... Not about individual stats...

 

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Just let me vent for a minute.

The starting pitcher on her HS team pitches five innings of shut-out ball. No walks. They have a 4 run lead. Coach puts another pitcher in for final two innings because she "doesn't want the opposing team's batters to get a third look" at the starter.

The next start, however, is a different story. The pitcher is not quite as sharp, yet still holds a 5-4 lead after 4 innings. Coach pulls her, another girl comes in and throws three scoreless innings.

My opinion is that the correct call was made in the second situation. But in the first game, when you're clearly in command - keep throwing, regardless of how many times the batters "see you". Momentum builds confidence, which, in turn, increases momentum...

Or am I over-analyzing this?

Your over-analyzing this. It is a team game and the coaches decision is final. Just be a supporting parent, watch and support your team. It is what it is.

 

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Toughy.No matter how well the program is run,how well the team does,I have found that no matter how hard a coach tries it seems that at least 2 families or players wont be happy(no disrespect,can't keep all happy).Find that to be a good percentage when trying to keep all happy.Seems a lot of school coaches go for a win and try to find a way for veteran or starting(there may be a difference in the two)pitcher to get the stats and win for the books and her stats.Hopefully the relief pitcher gets her day to shine some day.Unless that second pitcher did it as a sophomore then a junior and hopefully a stud freshman doesn't ditch her her senior year.That's starts a whole nother story.

 

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Just thinking how nice it would be to have an abundance of pitching...

 

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Did somebody say pitchers dad? Maybe I heard it or something, oh well! Take the 2 wins and be happy. In both situations I see where coach gave 2 pitchers some momentum which in turn increased each pitchers momentum and allowed for 2 wins! Good thing the other pitcher got experience in the relief role in the first situation, so she was prepared to help the TEAM and secure the WIN in the second situation. Good Coaching in my opinion, as stated above, must be nice to have 2 good reliable pitchers on one team.

 

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Several years ago, our high school had a dominant pitcher, at the beginning of the season, but by the state semi-finals she was gassed and lost the dominating movement her pitches possessed. I think it's prudent of a coach to look at the long view of a whole season whether the "ace" is a horse or not. Oh, and God forbid we get the whole team involved in what was obviuosly an opportunity to give the number 2 some easy relief early in the season and build her confidence. That may have contributed to the successful save in the next appearance when the outcome was not yet decided.

 

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Based on your limited info......no problem with the call. Two wins and two pitchers getting work. Injuries and fatigue can creep into the equation later in the year and if you have two decent arms working for you....so much the better.

 

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Statistics suggest that the hitter has a much better chance of making good contact at the third and later at-bats against the same pitcher. It is a combination of the number of pitches seen by the hitter plus the fact that the pitcher is normally tiring.

Many games are played in a very short time during the HS season. If you have at least two capable pitchers on the team, use them. It keeps them strong during the HS season and into the travel season. It's still the regular season. I wouldn't fret about it Lou. Let it slide, and have fun watching your dd and the team.

Len

 

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It's hard to argue with success, and a coach does need to factor in how many times the batters have seen the pitcher. With that being said and without perhaps knowing all of the facts, I think I would have left the starter in the first game until if and when they did to start to get to her. If the first two girls come up and hit shots, then I might pull the trigger ... otherwise, I am inclined to leave well enough alone and give her a chance at the shutout. But until the current strategy doesn't work a few times, I'd recommend a chill pill, Lou.

 

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I have two questions Louuuu.....

1. Is the team from the first game in your DD's sectional or district? I assume it was a non-league game....and one of the first of the season, so it's quite possible that coach wanted to see how p2 matched up against that line-up.

2. What are the other things that "irk you about high school coaches?" See I'm a high school coach and a travel coach, so I'm kinda torn. There are people in both ventures that I don't particularly like, though I still find it hard to roll them all into one ball of opinion.

 

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Just thinking how nice it would be to have an abundance of pitching...

My thoughts exactly

 

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Dear God,

Please help me see the light and become a good coach(Travel)instead of the useless,in it for the money,lack of intellect and overall bum of a coach(HS) that I am now.

Amen

 

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It's not a case of "pitcher's dad blues"... There are 3 very good pitchers on the team - and I don't envy the coach for trying to find innings for them.

If it helps the topic, I didn't mention that in the other two games played so far this season, one of the pitchers went all seven innings in a game where we never held the lead, and in the other game the pitcher threw a complete game in a 3-2 win. So; where's the consistancy?

 

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In either case there are going to be parents saying that one or the other is the wrong thing to do. If he pulls the girl and they lose, its because he pulled the starter. If he leaves the starter in and they lose, he did'nt pull her soon enough. It is a never win for the HS Coach.

Apparently, the HS Coach made the right decision in your "Vent" because the Team got the win.