Pitching and Pitchers Discussion Pitcher or Catcher? What would you do?

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I love discussions like this to see how others think. What would you do?

My 9u plays 10u and has been taking pitching lessons for over a year. She is a decent lefty pitcher and has a lot of control. She has a natural drop ball and can pitch to her spots. The problem? because her pitching instructor and my dd have always worked on accuracy, her speed isn't that of other 10u pitchers.

Now, she is the only 9u pitcher on her travel team, so I know her speed could improve by next year. But without actually pitching reps this season (she has only pitched 3 innings so far this year) I am afraid all this money and effort into pitching is a waste. I feel that other kids are passing her up in skill and speed.

The other option is catcher. She LOVES to catch. She is amazingly strong and muscular which makes her look like a natural behind the plate. Plus, we have a lot of resources for catching lessons. BUT?. She is a lefty. I know travel coaches love lefty pitchers and turn their noses up at lefties in any other position.

So here is my question: Would you keep her in both pitching AND catching at this age? I have been told that you can't be both. Or would you encourage her to do one or the other? I am thinking of her future of course.

 

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Buckeye Heat 95 has a lefty catcher that is better than most right handed catchers. She will miss this season due to injury, but she is an absolute beast. She can throw out runners at any base and is not afraid to throw to any base at anytime.
I dont have an opinion on pitcher or catcher, but don't let her being left handed stop her from being a catcher. If you are good enough a GOOD coach will not care.

 

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At her age i would do both,just have dad sit on bucket at home and work on speed you guys have been around long enough to know in a year or 2 if she should stick with one or the other.

 

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Does she want to pitch? If she shows an interest (I understand we are talking 9yr olds and i've been in your shoes as my kid started pitching at 9), find her a community or rec team for her to pitch for during the week that way she can get innings and develope her skills. Alot of the "speed" at the younger ages comes from the height/size of the girls. Both pitching and catching are positions that require PT to get better. I really don't like the idea of picking a position for a kid, or a sport for a kid, at such a young age. Also, I've seen really tall pitchers at 10u never get any taller or better so you really can't go on her size right now. My kid was a short plump thing at 10u and probably ran home to first in 3.8 seconds....now she's 13, 5'7, 120lbs and runs a 2.9...and still growing taller. You never know

 

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I wouldn't rule out catching, just because she's left-handed. I don't think its much of a disadvantage at all in the fastpitch game, and have seen quite a few and very good travel, high school and college (at least D3) catchers who were left-handed. And with her being so young, both her body type and interests are likely to change in time.

 

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I know, I know... If he's a good coach he won't pigeon-hole her in a "lefty position", right?

I couldn’t agree with you more. I have always taught my kids that if someone tells you that you have limitations, to prove them wrong. But we have had multiple coaches tell us that they would never “pigeon-hole” her on the right side of the field just because she’s a lefty. But once they get her on the team they tell us that she is limited in places she can play (because she’s a lefty). Some coaches will say anything to get you to commit. That’s the reality.

 

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Had to make the same choice years ago. I think being a catcher is A LOT easier on dad then being a pitcher which is why my DD is a catcher. ha

 

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Do both! A team mate of my daughter, caught for school, pitches for travel and is great at both. 12U LEFTY!

 

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Definately do both. Especially at this young age.

Time solves a lot of dilemmas.

 

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There's no reason why she can't always do both.

There's a lot of girls who are C/3B or C/1B. No "expert" can say you can't be C/P. (Besides, it would help the mental aspect of catching by also being a pitcher...)

 

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I have a lefty shortstop and have done instruction for many left-handed catchers, they can be great anywhere on the field. She's still young enough that she can do both...but catchers are better. Although I might be a little bit biased.

 

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IMO, I would have her do both at this age. I have heard many people that have not seen our team ever play tell me that my 10u dd needs to pick one or the other. But mixed with the team dynamic that we have, she is utilized in both positions (and ss). It will only help her in the long run! I strongly believe she is a smart pitcher because she catches and she is a smart catcher because she pitches. She is not the top pitcher on team, but regularly gets pitch time each weekend. Typically with the heat, it is worked in that she pitches before she catches, but has done the opposite if needed. If she serves team best as a catcher all weekend, so be it! If she doesn't catch all weekend, so be it!
If you find a good coach, they will see what strenghts she has and use her to what is best for the team. Even if that doesnt include one or the other, keep working at home, with lessons, etc. Make the coach aware that she loves a certain position and even if not used there by her team, you will continue to have her ready. Pitching is alot more "popular" and typically harder to get time, but keep her working at it. You never know what the future holds, and I believe it is best to make sure they are ready for whatever is thrown their way on the field!

 

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There's no reason why she can't always do both.

There's a lot of girls who are C/3B or C/1B. No "expert" can say you can't be C/P. (Besides, it would help the mental aspect of catching by also being a pitcher...)

It depends on what level she is playing at when she reaches her 14u's. If she is the teams primary catcher and her team plays deep into sundays it is hard to have the legs to pitch as well. Same thing for if she is the teams primary pitcher. It gets hot in the summer and legs are critical for pitchers late on Sunday.

 

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I have the same problem with my 9yo. She is a very good catcher and 3rd baseman but she also wants to pitch. I try and let her pitch an inning or two during rec but she doesn't pitch during travel. If I honestly had to choose for her she would not pitch at all. I found with my older daughter (12u) that when we worked every night on pitching we didn't have time to work as much on hitting/fielding therefore the latter two suffer a bit. She ended up breaking her wrist before the season started one year and she hasn't pitched since. That has been a blessing because with 3 kids 2 of which are playing travel, If both would be pitchers then we would be spending 3 hours every night on softball (that is if they want to get better at other aspects of the game as well as pitch). I don't have that kind of time. I don't know how other people do it but with my job and other family responsibilities I can't give 3 hours every night to softball. Don't get me wrong. We work on softball every night but there is no way I could do the kind of time that is required if you want to be a good pitcher AND good at other facets of the game. How do others do it?

 

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The thing I read is "She Loves to Catch" there's my answer, it's a love for the game thing at those positions....

 

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If she is the teams primary catcher and her team plays deep into sundays it is hard to have the legs to pitch as well.

Good point.

Okay, you can't be pitcher & catcher in the same 6 hour period ;-)

 

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But without actually pitching reps this season (she has only pitched 3 innings so far this year) I am afraid all this money and effort into pitching is a waste. I feel that other kids are passing her up in skill and speed.

At 9 years old, it seems too early to be conclusive about whether the time and effort towards pitching is a waste. If she loves it and is willing to work hard to do it, I personally don't see it as being a waste no matter how many obstacles appear to be ahead of her.

It's not a waste if she's willing to continue to go to lessons and into the back yard to work on her craft even in the face of limited game-time innings. That shows the beginnings of heart, character, and determination.

If she needs to be coaxed into lessons or frequently complains about practicing...well, she's still 9 and just a child. But in that situation you might see more reason for her to travel a different path.

I agree with others here that she should play both positions for as long as she loves them. Chances are, there will come a time years from now when she has to choose which she loves more and wants to dedicate herself to. The great part as a parent is when you get to see HER make that choice.

All of that said, from a monetary perspective, pitching sure will require financial sacrifice and it will be a bummer if it doesn't pan out. The catchers I managed to snag for lessons get to participate and ride along for free.

If she has the heart, the determination, and the financial support, maybe the issue of her training should be discussed with her PI. See what your PI's plans and goals are for her long term. If they don't mesh, maybe a new PI is in order.

 

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She can do both but one will shine for her and what she wants to put into which one in a year or two will help you decide...my dd does both to this day..started as catcher, pretty much pitched last two years and now her coach is using her to catch again some and share pitching time and she is 14. But she is primarily a pitcher.

 

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She is still very young but I think you do need to be honest with yourself. I've never seen your kid pitch so I do not have an opinion either way, but by no means discount catching soley based on the fact she is left-handed. My dd is a lefty catcher and does just fine. Kids will excel where they are most happy and my dd was most happy catching. She has been catching about seven years and absolutely loves it, and no coach has ever questioned why she plays where she plays.

Len

 

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At this age have her do both. Willoughby South High School has a lefty catcher she is truly one of the most talented catches I have seen. I am a lefty and when I was a kid I was put at first base and outfield. On my team "and trust me I am not perfect nor do I claim to be" she is one of my 2nd base players and plays outfield. That is a rule of mine if you play on one of my teams you will have 2 or positions. I don't have a daughter on my team I just coach, my DD is in high school. When I tell a player to play outfield and they complain I ask them do you want to be a JV infielder or a Varsity outfielder as a freshmen. We are an older 12U team. So back to the topic have her try on a few positions.