Pitching and Pitchers Discussion Dave Leffew on choosing a team for a pitcher

[default]

Good advice from Dave Leffew:

CHOOSING YOUR TEAM

It?s that time of the year again!!! Summer season is almost over, Nationals are in progress and you are looking forward to some time off!! Well, just hold off for a while as one of the most important things you have to do this summer is still ahead!!! YOU NEED TO PICK A TEAM THAT GIVES YOU THE MOST OPPORTUNITY TO DISPLAY YOUR TALENTS.

Here are some tips on choosing the right team:

1. Go to a least 3 tryouts of teams you are interested in
2. Make sure you stay in playing shape for those tryouts
3. Make sure they need a pitcher
4. Ask how many pitchers they carry. I feel that 3 is a good number.
(just 2 is a potential injury and 4 or more there is just not enough innings)
5. Check out their tournament schedule for the level of competition
6. Try to get information on the coaches, are they fair, knowledgeable, organized?
What is their Philosophy? Win at all cost? Teaching the game?
7. If you are college bound, make sure your team knows how to deal with the
recruiting process and has contact with college coaches.
8. Beware of ?Daddy/Mommy Ball?. Ask around. Some parent coaches are very fair,
others are very blind.
9. DO THEY HAVE AN INDOOR PRACTICE FACILITY!!! VERY IMPORTANT
10. Can you afford them? Ask for hidden costs and what is their fundraising strategy.

I know that you are all at different competitive levels, some of you play for the enjoyment, some play for the competition, some play for the chance to get a college scholarship. Whatever your purpose, there are teams out there that fit your needs. Take the time to research your choice to make next season an enjoyable one.

 

[default]

Very good advice.

 

[default]

Excellent Advice.

 

[default]

Pitching Formula that worked pretty well for DD's travel team was having two "primary" pitchers that either occasionally rotated in at another position, or rested a game. The third pitcher was another primary position player that could give a few innings here and there, but was not a primary pitcher.

At 14u, #1 usually pitched about 50%, #2 about 40%, #3 the balance. As age level increased, and college exposure began, #1 got the lion's share - simply because of ability and hard work. These three were part of the team core. Their talents assured them of their playing time.

A little research will show you what a team really needs. If they have a veteran core in place such as this, they probably aren't looking for pitching. If your DD's plans are being a #1 and college bound, that's a steep hill to climb - not impossible - but she should have veteran skills to demonstrate. There's ALWAYS a team somewhere that's looking for skilled pitchers! Sometimes it's smarter and more efficient to find a team with immediate needs instead of trying to battle an embedded pitching staff.