In need of an attitude adjustment or just need some time?

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DD had a great showing yesterday, won 14-0, 10 strike outs and only 2 walks.
Hoping this will give her the needed kick to getting mojo back.

 

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Pitching is such a mental position...more so than any other on the field (sorry, but it's true).
Good luck.

I agree with this so totally. Especially this year when this game has become such a hitting game now. Pitchers really have to make sure every pitch works, every spot is hit. Because one mistake sends a ball over the fence. I hope she finds her mojo!! Because Kat is right. If she wants it she will have to work twice as hard to get it!! Good luck to her this year and beyond!

 

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Learned yesterday that in order for the DD to regain her mojo, she definitely needs some positive reinforcement from whoever can give it to her. She had a 2-hour pitching lesson because her mechanics have suffered so much this season.

High school team will be something she has to learn to tolerate and grow a thicker skin to survive. A whole season of biting her tongue, playing by the coach's rules hasn't gained her anything but a crappy attitude and the short end of the biased political machine. She has chosen to continue to keep her mouth shut and not defend herself against misconceptions because the staff will be there next year and she just wants to play.

Tough lessons to learn at the ripe old age of 15 but necessary if she wants to continue the pursuit of college ball. Who am I to rock her world?

 

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After being criticized on here last year for suggesting politics has a role in HS softball ;&--you know who you are!...Two separate thoughts. 1. All three of my DD's wanted to pitch-all were on teams where a different daddy was coaching, and of course his dd pitched-mine kept plugging away, (older 2)made good travel teams, and are still pitching, while the other dad's dd's fell by wayside. So work with her when you can, and make sure she knows YOU have confidence in her. 2. In HS and College BB, pitching was done every practice. Our pitching coach says the same should be done at every SB practice, and I think it is even more important in travel, where you might only see your catcher a couple of hours a week outside of games. Remember, Atlanta Braves pitching coach had the "greatest staff ever" working every day. I think the fact the kids are not pitching at practice shows the coaches lack of knowledge(around here, I have seen three hour practices where each player hits three buckets of balls off the pitching machine--what are they learning--this kills the kids desire and stunts their knowledge and skill growth).
And, if all else fails, have her switch to track where the judgment is all made by stopwatches and tape measures.

 

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Let me add this: coaches would never know that she is unhappy or mad. I can see it because I know her so well. She has actually exhibited a great deal of maturity for a freshman, she saves her rants for the car ride home.

Unless you are at every minute of every practice, how do you know how your daughter acts and what the coaches observe? Just based on the rants on here, I can just imagine the discussions around the dinner table and the attitude that then makes the trip from house to school and practice.

 

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DD had a great showing yesterday, won 14-0, 10 strike outs and only 2 walks.
Hoping this will give her the needed kick to getting mojo back.

I don't know how your DD reacts, by I know mine seemed to get much more from a closely won game. Don't get me wrong... 10 strike outs and only 2 walks is an excellent pitching performance! But my DD always seemed like she wanted more of a "fight" from her opponent. Please read on:

Pitching is a VERY difficult craft to master. The endless hours required to achieve a college level pitching ability is GUARANTEED to often be drudgery - especially for a teen! We often had to poke and prod to keep DD on track. The GOAL in her mind was crystal clear - it was just the seemingly endless steps required to get there that was often discouraging. Our job as parents is figuring out if it's TRULY your DD's dream, and NOT ours - then figure out a way to guide our DD through that maze, while walking on eggs! No one can tell YOU exactly how to do this with your own daughter - that's the "fun" part!!

We constantly reminded our DD to keep her vision of what SHE wanted, NOT what mom & dad wants. Keep her focused on the thrill she gets when she's out there in the circle with a 1 - 0 lead, 10th inning, 2-outs, batter with full count - last batter. Sure she hates the lessons and endless practices. But every pitcher lives to be in the circle with the ball in her hand when the game is on the line! Being in the pressure cooker is what makes them tick!

 

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I don't know how your DD reacts, by I know mine seemed to get much more from a closely won game. Don't get me wrong... 10 strike outs and only 2 walks is an excellent pitching performance! But my DD always seemed like she wanted more of a "fight" from her opponent. Please read on:

Pitching is a VERY difficult craft to master. The endless hours required to achieve a college level pitching ability is GUARANTEED to often be drudgery - especially for a teen! We often had to poke and prod to keep DD on track. The GOAL in her mind was crystal clear - it was just the seemingly endless steps required to get there that was often discouraging. Our job as parents is figuring out if it's TRULY your DD's dream, and NOT ours - then figure out a way to guide our DD through that maze, while walking on eggs! No one can tell YOU exactly how to do this with your own daughter - that's the "fun" part!!

We constantly reminded our DD to keep her vision of what SHE wanted, NOT what mom & dad wants. Keep her focused on the thrill she gets when she's out there in the circle with a 1 - 0 lead, 10th inning, 2-outs, batter with full count - last batter. Sure she hates the lessons and endless practices. But every pitcher lives to be in the circle with the ball in her hand when the game is on the line! Being in the pressure cooker is what makes them tick!

Yes, our DD does thrive on the pressure. She loves to be in the circle with bases loaded, 1 out and then strike out the next 2. Extra innings, totally her element. The louder the cheering and chanting the better, she hates a quiet field.

Unfortunately, from what I am reading about female athlete psychology, she is like most girls who need communication from the coach, positive reinforcement, and having all team members treated equally. Not unrealistic expectations on her part.

She is coming to us to ask why should she be left in the dark about playing time and changes in pitching rotation? Why should girls who throw their bats and helmets into the dugout after striking out be called to Varsity? Why is she being shunned (for lack of a better word) when she enters/exits the field with a professional demeanor, asks the coach for instruction/direction and stays after to clean the dugout? She is the person that other girls approach to ask what they might need to do to get more time-perhaps then the coaches are looking at her as keeping the wrong company on the bench?

All good questions that she saves for us because she doesn't want to rock the coach's boat and create more issues for her future with the school team.