default
Member
Sad, you're right, all pitchers should get some time. I don't know many who want every inning of every game. I think most would like to play in other spots some to keep themselves a well rounded player.
default
Member
SoftBallLover said:
Not even the coaches dd's want to pitch every game I wouldn't think.
default
Member
I have ran in to this a guy taking over a first year team. I think a quality team needs several quality pitchers. I have seen girls wear down over the course of a season so I do not know why anyone would want to do that to a young athlete.
On the recruiting side of things, it seems like a lot of parents are told that their dds will get to pitch a certain amount of innings. This is why I think that building a strong team before getting dominate pitchers is a bonus. If you have strong hitters and fielders than you can hold runs to a minimum and provide run support. Eventually there os going to be good pitchers that get left out on their current tam and you can bring one on. I have seen some talented pitchers switch teams in the past.
Not to say we do not have talented pitchers now, we do but none of them were promised a certain amount of innings before the season. That will sort its self out on the diamond in live action and maybe we will leave a spot open for another pitcher to come on late. Am I wrong for doing this?
On the recruiting side of things, it seems like a lot of parents are told that their dds will get to pitch a certain amount of innings. This is why I think that building a strong team before getting dominate pitchers is a bonus. If you have strong hitters and fielders than you can hold runs to a minimum and provide run support. Eventually there os going to be good pitchers that get left out on their current tam and you can bring one on. I have seen some talented pitchers switch teams in the past.
Not to say we do not have talented pitchers now, we do but none of them were promised a certain amount of innings before the season. That will sort its self out on the diamond in live action and maybe we will leave a spot open for another pitcher to come on late. Am I wrong for doing this?
default
Member
IMHO (I am not a coach just a "problem, dd is a pitcher, parent"
but I think you should certainly carry some strong pitching but you would still want all of your defense to be strong. Pitchers are going to get hit. It is the other teams job to time up your pitcher. As a coach you need to know what players are working and which are not for the game you are playing. I think a lot of coaches get into the "she's the best" pitcher/short stop/centerfielder ... that we have. But each game is a different opponent and the strengths of your players should be used according to your opponents strengths.
Wow, I'm not sure if any of that makes sense. It does in my own head!! ;D But I may just be blowing smoke.. LOL
but I think you should certainly carry some strong pitching but you would still want all of your defense to be strong. Pitchers are going to get hit. It is the other teams job to time up your pitcher. As a coach you need to know what players are working and which are not for the game you are playing. I think a lot of coaches get into the "she's the best" pitcher/short stop/centerfielder ... that we have. But each game is a different opponent and the strengths of your players should be used according to your opponents strengths.Wow, I'm not sure if any of that makes sense. It does in my own head!! ;D But I may just be blowing smoke..
LOL
default
Member
Sad, I feel ya brother Pitchers are very importent but team chemistry and the way the perform as a unit is most important. That is why I plan on giving a small handfull of pitchers plenty of innings over the course of the season. Pitchers put in a lot of side time as well as their families so I understand their frustration when they do not get the game repititions. SO I will not carry too many pitchers nor will I over promise and under deliver. I think this is the main reason when pitchers get upset with certain organizations.
Pitchers are very importent but team chemistry and the way the perform as a unit is most important. That is why I plan on giving a small handfull of pitchers plenty of innings over the course of the season. Pitchers put in a lot of side time as well as their families so I understand their frustration when they do not get the game repititions. SO I will not carry too many pitchers nor will I over promise and under deliver. I think this is the main reason when pitchers get upset with certain organizations.
default
Member
I am a coach and my dd is one of my pitchers. she pitched everygame as a freshman, all but 4 at the jv level as soph. Right now She is my#2 on summer team and probably #3 next year. She is a good pitcher but we play better when she is at 1st.As a coach I have 12 girls on the team she is just another peice of that puzzle.
default
Member
My DD is a pitcher and started pitching at 9 years old and will be 17 this Fall. I have been there for all but a couple games through OGSO, highschool and travel ball for the last 8 years. I have coached her and her teammates and called her pitches and watched others call her pitches and paced the dugouts around the country all those years. The amount of time and energy that is put into this position prior to toeing the rubber is tremendous. If the other defensive players put in half the time that pitchers do,, there would be some awesome teams out there. If I knew then what I know now, would I have taken my DD for pitching lessons 9 years ago? We have been through times where she didnt pitch much to not pitching at all to pitching 3-4 games in a day. We have played fallball and winterball after having played all summer. I have cringed as line-drives have been rocketed back at her and she somehow has caught them or at least knocked them down and still threw out the batter. I have bit my tongue when hearing comments from the stands after a perfect pitch has been thrown only to have a fielder drop a popup. I have shook my head when an umpire squeezes the strikezone, as if these girls are professionals ,and holds his 2 fingers an inch apart and says it was that far inside or that far outside. I have had coaches leave her in a game where she was getting shelled and look at me and say she was pitching OK and that I can't have it both ways(?). I could go on and on but the question is would I do it all again if I had the chance? My daughter and I dont see eye to eye on alot of things these days but I would not trade the times of triumph and tragedy that we have endured for anything else.. I am most proud of how she has handled herself in the pitcher's circle and out of it. I have been quite a lucky guy to have spent this much time with my daughter as she grows up. Would I do it all again?? You bet I would!!!
default
Member
wow, some great views here...
sad,
you are correct that every pitcher gets hit, especially with the vast amount of good/great hitters out there and some wonderfully hot bats....what matters is do, regardless if it's a coach/dad situation or even a catcher depending on the age/experience, have the ability to call a good game...you can only throw the fastball so much, which is like batting practice to some of these hitters....a pitcher is only as good as her signal caller
as for hawks, i think it would be a huge assumption to pencil in amount of innings (unless, of course, she's a hoss) for any pitcher,...with the pressure to get a good seed in pool play and to win in a single elim tourney, there's no time to rest your hoss to give someone else the innings, but then are we, as in any coach/org, doing the right thing in terms of development when you stick with one starter throught the day, ...eventually, they will pitch every game in a tourney anyway, you think monica abbott sat any games during the ncaa tourney? yeah right! i know you arent the only one trying to keep everyone happy, good luck!
but for any parent developing your dd, work on location, location, location and keeping hitters off balance, unless of course, your a hoss...
sad,
you are correct that every pitcher gets hit, especially with the vast amount of good/great hitters out there and some wonderfully hot bats....what matters is do, regardless if it's a coach/dad situation or even a catcher depending on the age/experience, have the ability to call a good game...you can only throw the fastball so much, which is like batting practice to some of these hitters....a pitcher is only as good as her signal caller
as for hawks, i think it would be a huge assumption to pencil in amount of innings (unless, of course, she's a hoss) for any pitcher,...with the pressure to get a good seed in pool play and to win in a single elim tourney, there's no time to rest your hoss to give someone else the innings, but then are we, as in any coach/org, doing the right thing in terms of development when you stick with one starter throught the day, ...eventually, they will pitch every game in a tourney anyway, you think monica abbott sat any games during the ncaa tourney? yeah right! i know you arent the only one trying to keep everyone happy, good luck!
but for any parent developing your dd, work on location, location, location and keeping hitters off balance, unless of course, your a hoss...
default
Member
Oh statman, mines a hoss!! ;D LOL Just kidding.
Pitcher-dad, I have not been around as long as you have. My dd is only in her second year of 12u. But she has been pitching since she was 8. I have just started feeling all the emotions you have listed. But I have also seen her realize that in order to get better she needed to practice on her own. And boy she just got so much better. Maybe in about 10years I'll be posting a thread just like yours!!
Pitcher-dad, I have not been around as long as you have. My dd is only in her second year of 12u. But she has been pitching since she was 8. I have just started feeling all the emotions you have listed. But I have also seen her realize that in order to get better she needed to practice on her own. And boy she just got so much better. Maybe in about 10years I'll be posting a thread just like yours!!
default
Member
Pitcher-Dad - Wecome to the High Life. You have paid your dues too. Good post and every word is true. That is how it is with pitchers and their fathers.
Reading some of these comments I have to ask is this about development or is this about winning? Talking from a coaching perspective now. Not as a parent or instructor. Whats your priority with your players? What is your agenda as a coach?
Tough act to balance but your goal is to try and get any player a scholorship that wants one. If that is the case then you best be putting away your ego and develop all your players. If you do what you will find is that winning will take care of itself and you will have a much better team.
For those of you who coach younger teams and are thinking "well that doesnt apply to my team at this age" Think again. College coaches are looking at 14U players now for "Potential". That dad that is sitting in the stand watching your game may just be feeding a college coach the names of players on your team who have that "Potential".
Happens all the time.
As for you moms out there catching your daughters. That is great too. Have seen a handful down here in Texas and they get pretty good at it over time.
Elliott.
Reading some of these comments I have to ask is this about development or is this about winning? Talking from a coaching perspective now. Not as a parent or instructor. Whats your priority with your players? What is your agenda as a coach?
Tough act to balance but your goal is to try and get any player a scholorship that wants one. If that is the case then you best be putting away your ego and develop all your players. If you do what you will find is that winning will take care of itself and you will have a much better team.
For those of you who coach younger teams and are thinking "well that doesnt apply to my team at this age" Think again. College coaches are looking at 14U players now for "Potential". That dad that is sitting in the stand watching your game may just be feeding a college coach the names of players on your team who have that "Potential".
Happens all the time.
As for you moms out there catching your daughters. That is great too. Have seen a handful down here in Texas and they get pretty good at it over time.
Elliott.
default
Member
I have been a coach for several years and my DD is a pticher but here's two things I do. I relingquish any and ALL coaching of my daughter and give it to my assistant. I am the one who is more likely to not play my daughter on the mound and more apt to pull her quickly when it looks like she is struggling. My assitant last year was great and I suggest this for ALL of you who coach a team with your daughter. No favoritism and gives your assistant some real challenges...
By-the-way, I won't catch for my daughter, I've had recontructive surgery on both knees, someone with gear on can have that chore!!
By-the-way, I won't catch for my daughter, I've had recontructive surgery on both knees, someone with gear on can have that chore!!
default
Member
I know what you mean Smiles. I'm not even allowed to talk to my DD during games. All the communication is "supposed" to go through my asst. coach. That never lasts though. She developed a hearing problem this past year. She lost hearing at the exact frequency of my voice. I could yell something at her and she would just shake her head and say she can't hear me. She heard everybody else just fine. I knew it was real because even when she was on the bench right next to me, she had the same problem. I think she might need a new hearing doctor.
Everyone complains about "daddy ball," but I guarantee if you asked all of the coache's DDs across the state who has it the toughest, they would say them.
Everyone complains about "daddy ball," but I guarantee if you asked all of the coache's DDs across the state who has it the toughest, they would say them.
default
Member
Just curious how that works ?:-?---you are the head coach, but you turn over the coaching of just your dd to the assistant? ?How does that look to the other players, and do you think the assistant is not going to take into account that player is head coach's dtr? ?
default
Member
RMD_63 said:
Amen to that! As much as I hate to say it, it's miserable watching your daughter pitch no matter how good she is. There is nothing like the relief of getting through another 1/2 of an inning and now your team gets to bat and you can relax for about 10 minutes.
default
Member
katjoebenmom- I lay it out at the beginning...at the first practice. Here's what I say to all of the girls.
1.) Discipline-this means you respect the umpires, your teammates, and your coaches. If there's something that goes on on the field, bring it to me, I'll make a judgement as to whether it needs addressed
2.) If you're on the mound and it isn't your day, maybe one of your teammates has a better day; yours maybe tomorrow or the next. It's a team sport.
3.) I will not show favoritism to anyone and especially my daughter. (unless they know who my daughter is, they generally would have a hard time picking her out). I turn to my asistant and tell her she is not allowed to coach her daughter and I'm not allowed to coach my own.
I've seen my own son's team have the daddy ball and the talk behind the dugout flies!!
I must say again, my assistants from the last two years have been wonderful!! My last year's coach is staying with the 12U, I'm moving up...she will be missed.
speaking of which, I need another assistant. I have one but I prefer two. Anyone around the Miami Valley a taker? I have credentials, ask Chris, Shorty or Lou from Kettering leagues.
1.) Discipline-this means you respect the umpires, your teammates, and your coaches. If there's something that goes on on the field, bring it to me, I'll make a judgement as to whether it needs addressed
2.) If you're on the mound and it isn't your day, maybe one of your teammates has a better day; yours maybe tomorrow or the next. It's a team sport.
3.) I will not show favoritism to anyone and especially my daughter. (unless they know who my daughter is, they generally would have a hard time picking her out). I turn to my asistant and tell her she is not allowed to coach her daughter and I'm not allowed to coach my own.
I've seen my own son's team have the daddy ball and the talk behind the dugout flies!!
I must say again, my assistants from the last two years have been wonderful!! My last year's coach is staying with the 12U, I'm moving up...she will be missed.
speaking of which, I need another assistant. I have one but I prefer two. Anyone around the Miami Valley a taker? I have credentials, ask Chris, Shorty or Lou from Kettering leagues.
default
Member
Orion and Ringer if you figure out what the cure for that disease is let me know. I have two DD's that have the same problem. ;D ;D
I agree with you Ringer that I am tougher on my DD's than other players. I guess I just know what they are capable of and am disappointed when they make mistakes. I know what you mean that by having another coach tell them something they are more willing to listen to the advise. They seem to think that we don't know very much.
I agree with you Ringer that I am tougher on my DD's than other players. I guess I just know what they are capable of and am disappointed when they make mistakes. I know what you mean that by having another coach tell them something they are more willing to listen to the advise. They seem to think that we don't know very much.
default
Member
Now I'm kind of worried. This may be a much bigger problem than I thought. I thought it just might be a cold or something but I think she has infected my son also. It's getting pretty bad because they are having problems hearing on the phone now too. I don't think they want me to know but I see them trying to hide what they are doing. They are reduced to typing cryptic codes on their tiny little phone keypads back and forth to their friends. Has anybody else been successful in curing this very contagious disease? Help is needed!!!
default
Member
Cats94, I agree with your take on this. ?Those pitchers and parent do alot of extra work. ?To sit there and watch your daughter succeed is a great feeling. ?To sit there and watch her struggle is the worst stomach twisting, ?headache opportunity that I have ever seen.
Someone else coined this phrase: ?" There is no twist like that of the stomach of the parents of the pitcher on the mound."
As for calling the pitches: ?my hubby knows that pitcher better than anyone on the field. ?He has called her games and can work with her better than anyone I have ever seen. ?However, as they develop... they need to step away from their parent! ?Other coaches calling her game is very good for her. ?I beleive it is also that coach's job to learn more about their pitcher, strengths and weaknesses. ?
In high school they had no one calling the game. ?A newby catcher was trying to call it and our 6 year pitcher was frustrated beyond belief. ?She knew better what to call and at that point I would take her father over what I saw in their high school season. Ouch. ? I honestly believe parents of a pitcher tend to know a bit more about pitching than the coaches want them to know. ? LOL
But, being the good parents we are supposed to be..... ?we bite our lips and watch. ?Sometimes that is harder than it sounds. :-X ?
Someone else coined this phrase: ?" There is no twist like that of the stomach of the parents of the pitcher on the mound."
As for calling the pitches: ?my hubby knows that pitcher better than anyone on the field. ?He has called her games and can work with her better than anyone I have ever seen. ?However, as they develop... they need to step away from their parent! ?Other coaches calling her game is very good for her. ?I beleive it is also that coach's job to learn more about their pitcher, strengths and weaknesses. ?
In high school they had no one calling the game. ?A newby catcher was trying to call it and our 6 year pitcher was frustrated beyond belief. ?She knew better what to call and at that point I would take her father over what I saw in their high school season. Ouch. ? I honestly believe parents of a pitcher tend to know a bit more about pitching than the coaches want them to know. ? LOL
But, being the good parents we are supposed to be..... ?we bite our lips and watch. ?Sometimes that is harder than it sounds. :-X ?
default
Member
fancy... It is hard to watch as the pitcher is doing badly due to poor pitch selection. Talk about pacing the the fences with a knot in your stomach!
I think it would surprise a bunch of the parents on a team if they would knwo how much time on their own that pitchers put in. We would practice an hour to two after the open gyms in the spring and once the practices started to make sure she was ready for the season. This was 4 or 5 days a week. Then we would practice on our own at home for 3 to 4 hours a week. Then there was the hour dedicated to the pitching lessosn in the week. Once the summer started we would pitch at least 1 to 2 hours 5 days a week. This didn't include the team practices, games, and the tournaments on the weekends. Then if you add in the hitting which would consume about 6 to 7 hours a week, wow! Hey I now know why I was tired all summer. LOL ;D ;D
I think it would surprise a bunch of the parents on a team if they would knwo how much time on their own that pitchers put in. We would practice an hour to two after the open gyms in the spring and once the practices started to make sure she was ready for the season. This was 4 or 5 days a week. Then we would practice on our own at home for 3 to 4 hours a week. Then there was the hour dedicated to the pitching lessosn in the week. Once the summer started we would pitch at least 1 to 2 hours 5 days a week. This didn't include the team practices, games, and the tournaments on the weekends. Then if you add in the hitting which would consume about 6 to 7 hours a week, wow! Hey I now know why I was tired all summer. LOL ;D ;D
default
Member
All the Coaches out there should thank the parents of their pitchers. Without them being towed to pitching practices and to gym oopportunities, being caught for thousands of hours, and being encouraged, they wouoldn't be the pitchers they are today.
There is alot that goes into that girl stepping on to the mound and being able to perform!! Parents of pitchers, I salute you (us) all. LOL
There was a gentleman I coached with years ago: every time his daughter or mine took the mound he would say to me: "time to go to work". Enjoyed that comment every game!! I loved the comment about enjoying the ups and downs with your daughter. That was a great post.
My dad is gone now, but I have alot of softball memories, precious memories. They are so special to me now , something he and shared, like I am able to share that fun with my girls. It truly is about the journey!!!
There is alot that goes into that girl stepping on to the mound and being able to perform!! Parents of pitchers, I salute you (us) all. LOL
There was a gentleman I coached with years ago: every time his daughter or mine took the mound he would say to me: "time to go to work". Enjoyed that comment every game!! I loved the comment about enjoying the ups and downs with your daughter. That was a great post.
My dad is gone now, but I have alot of softball memories, precious memories. They are so special to me now , something he and shared, like I am able to share that fun with my girls. It truly is about the journey!!!
Similar threads
Pitching and Pitchers Discussion
Pitcher/Outfield play question for coaches/parents
Pitching and Pitchers Discussion
Pitcher's Parents - A poll
Pitching and Pitchers Discussion
God Bless Pitcher's Parents
- THUNDER ROAD
- Pitching, Hitting, Catching and Fielding
D3 Softball News
Katie Blanch Named NESCAC Pitcher of the Week
D3 Softball News
Sophomore Sadie Leonard Named NESCAC Pitcher of the Week