Pitcher expectations and reality

[TK05]

As a father of a pitcher I have always tried to manage expectations of my Daughter. She is pitching at the 12u level and does average to pretty good. She is pitching 50-55 mph on a rev fire with about 20 spins(with her pitching coach). She knows how to throw a few different pitches. Here is the kicker she is very frustrated as of recent because she does not play on one of the top tier teams. What can I say to her to keep her working to get to that next level.

 

[CoachTEA]

If she wants to continue with a top tier team, she needs to continue to work hard to impress them because tryout season is around the corner. I would imagine practicing 5 days a week and asking your pitching coach what she needs to take it up a notch. I assume she has a pitching coach; if not, get one immediately. If she does have a pitching coach and the answers are insufficient, consider trying another one. You also may want to consider Speed, Strength, and Agility training especially if she has aspirations beyond high school ball. I would also make sure is getting plenty of innings; it honestly may be better to be the #1 on a so-so team than #3 with a much better team. I had a player who a #3 or #4 on a very good 12u team come to my team who was lesser (back in the day) because a #1 and get recruited. Hope it helps and good luck!!!

 

[jayflyer98]

As a father of a pitcher I have always tried to manage expectations of my Daughter. She is pitching at the 12u level and does average to pretty good. She is pitching 50-55 mph on a rev fire with about 20 spins(with her pitching coach). She knows how to throw a few different pitches. Here is the kicker she is very frustrated as of recent because she does not play on one of the top tier teams. What can I say to her to keep her working to get to that next level.

The cream will always rise to the top. Tell her to keep working hard and putting in the work. If her team in not tier but they are playing some top tournaments, she will get noticed. Everyone seems to know everyone at the top tournaments and people will take notice of a strong pitcher. But most importantly, she needs to have fun with it. If not, she will not want to put in the work and she will continue to get frustrated.

 

[Long Baller]

My advise would be to take her to try out for these "top tier teams" and objectively/honestly evaluate where their pitchers are vs where your DD is talent wise. Even if these teams don't pick your DD up on their roster, they should give you honest feedback on what she needs to work on to reach the next level. Hopefully your DD will use the experience as motivation to continue to work hard on her game. I can tell you from experience that, at her age, there is a lot of growth in a short period of time. If your DD is throwing mid 50's with spin and control, then there is something there to really build on and she'll be fine. Also be warned that, if a top tier team picks up a kid as a #3 pitcher, she most likely will not get much mound time. Every team that my DD has been on, the #3 would just get garbage time. But thats a whole other topic.....

When I would take my DD to tryouts at that age, I would tell her that "The plan is to get you on the field with the best kids around, and see how you stack up. Learn from them, and leave here with something to build off of. If these teams offer you a spot, great, but that is not the plan for today." This seemed to be a good mindset, and also helped calm her nerves a bit.

 

[streak22]

what is top tier? In my opinion there is only a few top tier then the rest of second tier teams are just fine to be on maybe even better not as cut throat and maybe a better fit kids get recruited from all teams not just outlaws and lasers

 

[c12los]

You could also start looking to see if any teams need subs for Stingrays or other top tournaments. Also, you could look for a team who needs a pitcher for nationals (Make sure you choose a national tournament that will have good competition). Most likely the team will want to meet your daughter and see her before they commit to have your daughter as a sub. If they like her, then she will get her chance. That could possibly get her in a good position to make that team during try outs if you and your daughter liked the team. If not, try out for another team that is competitive and goes to good competitive tournaments.

 

[AnotherSoftballDad]

I agree with most of the replies. It sounds like your daughter is close and that should be the motivation to keep pushing forward. My advice is to pick about 3 or 4 of the organizations she would like to play on and go to those tryouts. Most will even give a private tryout and can get feedback then. My daughter is a 12u pitcher on a top tier team and the one thing I have learned is it is about playing the tough competition every weekend that makes them learn and get better. Having her ease through less competition is doing her no favors in the long run.

 

[lewam3]

As a father of a pitcher I have always tried to manage expectations of my Daughter. She is pitching at the 12u level and does average to pretty good. She is pitching 50-55 mph on a rev fire with about 20 spins(with her pitching coach). She knows how to throw a few different pitches. Here is the kicker she is very frustrated as of recent because she does not play on one of the top tier teams. What can I say to her to keep her working to get to that next level.

It doesn't matter what team and what tournaments you pitch for/at for a 12u pitcher. You can play on a sucky team in sucky tournaments but if you are an outstanding pitcher (who is good enough to play top tier) I guarantee you some coach or parent with ulterior motives will notice. Somehow, someone will get her name and your number, a phone call ensues and voila!! within a few years, she will be several rungs higher on that travel ball ladder. By the time she is 16u she will be Top Tier, because Warren will see or hear about her..No outstanding pitcher stays on sucky teams and sucky tournaments forever. Everyone wants that outstanding pitcher on their team!!!

 

[TK05]

Thank you all for the words of encouragement ! I know she will keep working hard she is a competitor. Good luck the rest of the season and during Tryouts !

 

[Run26]

It doesn't matter what team and what tournaments you pitch for/at for a 12u pitcher. You can play on a sucky team in sucky tournaments but if you are an outstanding pitcher (who is good enough to play top tier) I guarantee you some coach or parent with ulterior motives will notice. Somehow, someone will get her name and your number, a phone call ensues and voila!! within a few years, she will be several rungs higher on that travel ball ladder. By the time she is 16u she will be Top Tier, because Warren will see or hear about her..No outstanding pitcher stays on sucky teams and sucky tournaments forever. Everyone wants that outstanding pitcher on their team!!!

No truer words have ever been spoken. There's more coaches hiding in trees than when JFK toured Dallas. 12U throwing 50-55 - you'll get noticed unless she's drilling umpires in the head.

 

[pitchersdad26]

When it comes to pitching having the measurable are great, but she has to have a good MENTAL part of her game too. How is her demeanor on the mound, if things don't go her way, or if she's getting squeezed by the umpire. This is as important as how many spins or pitches she has in her bag. Coaches love the things that are sexy on the stat lines, but if she is unable to control her emotions or she feels she's playing with girls that aren't at her level, it's a turnoff for college coaches. She has to be on control of what she can control, the stats that really matter to me are the ERA. This coming from a pitcher s dad.

 

[wow]

At 12u you gotta make some decisions about cost and expectations. There is a big difference between playing locally and getting outside the state lines. 50-55 is very good for Ohio. However 60 is not unheard of outside the state. The number of pitches is meaningless. It’s about control, as many have already stated. Take a look at whip and era. At this stage if she is elite both will be well under 1 constistatly. More importantly find the “wall” where she can play and start to be challenged either up or at a high level org. You have to find where she can realistically play and be challenged. I would also find a high level pitching coach who gives feedback. Having that objective feedback is huge. Mentally it’s about how she performs with big hits, errors, and being squeezed. You have to have diesel running thru your veins, at 12 the mental is game is everything.