How's that working for you???

[DanMaz]

So what's your solution? Just pitch anybody who wants to pitch or what? Or just throw someone else in there who maybe doesn't want to pitch and doesn't know how but just try?
Heck if no one else wants to pitch someone will be forced to. What are you going to do as a coach? CoachTea You never answered that question.
I don't like to think that any player is being 'forced' to do anything out on the field they dont want, but there are players playing positions they'd rather not because they prefer a different position. That happens.



Coming back from a bad inning out on the field to the next inning is character building.

^^^ that is also character building.

The bottom line in your complaint is.
You think 50 pitches is overuse.
You are entitled to your opinion.
But there are many many other pitchers and coaches and parents who would not agree with that. Who are also entitled to their opinions.

i think the point is simple... dont over think it.

1) if you never pitched before, 50 pitches in one innings can be more detrimental than you think to that player mentally and is a safety issue to some degree. It is too much for that player.
2) for a pitcher who practices 3 days+ a week, throws in most games and multiple games on weekends with trsavelball etc..... 50 is not overloading to this experienced trained pitcher.

talking about 2 different types of situations with 2 very different pitchers. just my 2 cents.
solution might be a forfeit until you can find a pitcher that can at least get it over the plate and not putting her is an unsafe unaware situation. HS games mean ziltch if you're going to risk an injury and your already on college scholarship-

 

[SbSpirit]

If coaches don't think it through there won't be a solution.
(imo)Being open-minded to finding a solution is much better than pigeonholing a conversation of complaint.

So will continue offering perspective

In the first place there is a reason the coach put that player in to pitch. Which we didn't get to read any details about.
That leaves open any possibility in the situation. Including the possibility that the girl who was pitching does have previous pitching experience previous to being an outfielder.
To simply say she doesn't know how to pitch maybe wrong.

I know a player who never pitched at all who ended up pitching her entire High School season because there was no pitcher. She tried windmill pitching at the beginning and that wasn't working so she tried slingshot and at least that was semi-effective to help get her high school team through the season. She is a catcher who will be going to college and playing ball. Yes it would have been nice if the coach could have tried to develop somebody else in the circle but teammates were at a different developmental level. She stepped up knowing she at least had some control of how to try and get the ball across the plate. Her defensive skill level would most certainly have kept her safer than a lesser experienced player trying to get in the circle.

What's really neat about the story is one of the other girls, who didn't really know how to catch, said she would try catching. So the player that is actually a catcher (pitching) helped teach her teammate how to be a catcher, while she herself figured out how to try and pitch and find the strike zone.

 

[SbSpirit]

Enjoy the Journey!

 

[DanMaz]

If coaches don't think it through there won't be a solution.
(imo)Being open-minded to finding a solution is much better than pigeonholing a conversation of complaint.

So will continue offering perspective

In the first place there is a reason the coach put that player in to pitch. Which we didn't get to read any details about.
That leaves open any possibility in the situation. Including the possibility that the girl who was pitching does have previous pitching experience previous to being an outfielder.
To simply say she doesn't know how to pitch maybe wrong.

I know a player who never pitched at all who ended up pitching her entire High School season because there was no pitcher. She tried windmill pitching at the beginning and that wasn't working so she tried slingshot and at least that was semi-effective to help get her high school team through the season. She is a catcher who will be going to college and playing ball. Yes it would have been nice if the coach could have tried to develop somebody else in the circle but teammates were at a different developmental level. She stepped up knowing she at least had some control of how to try and get the ball across the plate. Her defensive skill level would most certainly have kept her safer than a lesser experienced player trying to get in the circle.

What's really neat about the story is one of the other girls, who didn't really know how to catch, said she would try catching. So the player that is actually a catcher (pitching) helped teach her teammate how to be a catcher, while she herself figured out how to try and pitch and find the strike zone.

no pitching experience or catching experience on the entire squad? this sounds like wreck ball or 8u ball. This could be a reason some players aren't playing for their schools? i mean travel ball players want to compete at a top level. It has to be a huge step back from travel to very unexperienced HS players. Is it still fun? maybe... maybe a waste of time for others. Maybe players that are skilled experienced players that have to play HS ball with players that are not experienced at this level (no pitchers, no catchers) could take all the fun out of it. maybe........

 

[DanMaz]

to add to this above..... in this case scenario, I would suggest a top-level travel ball players skip their HS program and get some rest in. Over use is something that is very real!!! take a season off and swim. great for building stamina and strength. give your softball muscles a rest...... be a kid. Run track or spend some time with your friends that dont play ball. You dont have to play ball 24/7/365. You do need to rest and let your body and your brain take a break. It will not look bad to a college recruiter, if you don't play HS ball. that's an old wife's tale. TRUST ME.

 

[CARDS]

to add to this above..... in this case scenario, I would suggest a top-level travel ball players skip their HS program and get some rest in. Over use is something that is very real!!! take a season off and swim. great for building stamina and strength. give your softball muscles a rest...... be a kid. Run track or spend some time with your friends that dont play ball. You dont have to play ball 24/7/365. You do need to rest and let your body and your brain take a break. It will not look bad to a college recruiter, if you don't play HS ball. that's an old wife's tale. TRUST ME.

In our area there are options...Some may know about Harmony or IMG academy that are the top of the line in HS and low level college sports programs. The Cincinnati area has a team that is making this move into uncharted waters for HS softball. When I was with the Static our 16/18U travel teams got the opportunity to play NAIA/DIII schools in fall ball (and we did very well). This concept may move to spring vs. TOP High school and some college teams.

 

[Captain_Thunder]

In our area there are options...Some may know about Harmony or IMG academy that are the top of the line in HS and low level college sports programs. The Cincinnati area has a team that is making this move into uncharted waters for HS softball. When I was with the Static our 16/18U travel teams got the opportunity to play NAIA/DIII schools in fall ball (and we did very well). This concept may move to spring vs. TOP High school and some college teams.

This is a team for Junior High players who's schools doesn't offer softball.
I don't think it has anything to do with high school level.
Also, many Travel teams play college teams in the fall...

 

[CARDS]

This is a team for Junior High players who's schools doesn't offer softball.
I don't think it has anything to do with high school level.
Also, many Travel teams play college teams in the fall...

It is still in its early stages. It may never take off especially with the steep decline of softball in our area... but, as the concept grows (and it could) it may make it to where they have the opportunity to play in the spring the same level that we played back in the day during the fall that includes High school and college teams. Midwest IMG type of program or bring softball to IMG if they can get the money...

 

[Stedman00]

I wouldnt look for enough high school players to not play HS ball to make this viable. Of course, if the current trend continues with out of touch, maniacal HS coaches sucking the life and fun out of the game for the majority of their players.... it might have enough bodies.

 

[DanMaz]

In our area there are options...Some may know about Harmony or IMG academy that are the top of the line in HS and low level college sports programs. The Cincinnati area has a team that is making this move into uncharted waters for HS softball. When I was with the Static our 16/18U travel teams got the opportunity to play NAIA/DIII schools in fall ball (and we did very well). This concept may move to spring vs. TOP High school and some college teams.

now that is what I am talking about. Be creative! you are only as good as your competition.