A few years back when I started out as the JV coach, I had no pitcher. ?A girl started coming in during the fall for conditioning and stated she would like to try and pitch. ?I said ok lets throw a little, first pitch went straight up into the air. ?We kept throwing through the winter months and come spring I felt we were ready for our first game.
Boy were my eyes opened, I believe that first game she walked 20-30 batters and we lost 30 something to nothing. ?Second game she pitched wasn't much better, but I wasn't giving up on her because she was the only one that came in and tried. ?By the third game of multiple walks my coaching assistant finally approached me about trying someone else. ?Being a stubborn first year coach I said "I'm sticking with her no matter how many she walks because she put in the time!!"
Well after a few more games of this I finally gave in and made the change, this girl only walked eight.
The next year this girl that had walked so many the previous year came back to become our starting varsity pitcher and win three games for us. ?
As far as pulling out your pitcher-Depends on how thick you skin is!! ;D