I wanted to get opinions on having catchers and pitchers warming up during defensive innings to keep them ready at all times. I am not a coach or a softball guru just a Dad trying to figure out this coaching theory and if its normal.
Bullpen Work
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it's very normal for my team to warm up all three of our pitchers before the day's first game, and also to have one of the pitchers get loose again if starter is struggling. this exact scenario is another reason to have more than the bare minimum roster size.
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I agree with Stedman00. I will normally have 3 pitchers warm up depending on who we are playing. If we know the team and have played them in the past we look back at previous games and go based on that info. Warming up during defensive inning is pretty standard. I will only have someone go get warm during game if I feel I am going to be making a change that inning. I am not going to have a pitcher throwing warmup every inning if I am not making changes. I want the Athletes to be in dugout with their heads in the game helping their teammates on the field.
I would agree on the warmup in case of a change but it seemed like the coach wanted to get the catchers and pitchers to work every inning. We had a scrimmage and I noticed this and he addressed in at the end of the two games that he wants the catchers and pitchers to stay warmed up every inning in case they are needed. This limits the catchers and the pitchers to game play as well putting unnecessary stress on their bodies. I'll to see how this pans out, hope this was just a scrimmage thing because my daughter seen the field one inning outside of catching in the game or in the bullpen. Thanks everyone for the response.
WAIT! WHAT? He had the relief pitcher and catcher throwing every defensive inning? calling BS on that. if your starter struggles in multiple innings, you probably are at least 1 inning late on making the pitching change.
It was our second scrimmage since all the virus crap and was rotating pitchers every two innings to get reps. We have 4 pitchers on our 12U team and two catchers. Usually parents or coaches will warmup the girls when needed but he made this change. I hope it was just to work the girls a little extra in preparation for our following tournament if not I'll have to talk to him. I did feel like it was a way to keep the catchers in one position and other players out in the field but just because I perceive it as that does not mean its the truth. Sounds like it will be a good conversation to have anyways with the coach, sometimes I know what I perceive and what is truth don't always match.
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No offense but the team that says they have 4 pitchers truly really only has 1-2 Good Starting pitchers. There would be more disgruntle post on here about DD not getting mound time. 12u I think the catchers should get some field time too. Same with pitchers. At 12u they are building that Softball IQ and truly finding out this game is a lot of work. 12-14u some fall out of love with the game and move on.
Example: I could say we have 5-6 pitchers on our team but I'm a realist. Realistically we have 3 that I keep in rotation. The other 3 get work at practices, school ball, & lessons.
I know we have 3 solid pitchers that will be in the starting line up, two are primarily pitchers and the third is one of the best players on the field at all times. The fourth is more what you were referring to as last resort or rec ball pitcher that still takes lesson that in the lineup for a last resort. I wouldn't mind the warmups between innings if we had more than 2 primary catchers as well so the catchers get more time in the field.
I do agree with you about softball IQ and learning the game and positions plus they are 08's and their bodies are still changing as well as which sports they want to continue to play. It was concerning because my DD loves basketball as well and I would like her to have knees later in life. Like I said I will feel things out, I just wanted to see what normal or more accepted approaches for catchers/pitchers and 12U team coaching philosophies. Our coach is great, I just think his philosophy is coming from the older showcase team he coached previously at 16U.
I do agree with you about softball IQ and learning the game and positions plus they are 08's and their bodies are still changing as well as which sports they want to continue to play. It was concerning because my DD loves basketball as well and I would like her to have knees later in life. Like I said I will feel things out, I just wanted to see what normal or more accepted approaches for catchers/pitchers and 12U team coaching philosophies. Our coach is great, I just think his philosophy is coming from the older showcase team he coached previously at 16U.
It’s 12u, and it’s hot in the summer. Seems like a opportune time to build bad habits if the girls catch and pitch for long periods with no purpose.(and likely with little guidance assuming the coaches are paying attention to the game)
