Pitching and Pitchers Discussion Right or Wrong, what do you think?

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Folks please RE-read Daylitekate's post. She never said she rotates all her players as pitchers and catchers. She said the whole team subsidizes the pitcher/catcher program. In other words, the whole team pays for the pitcher/catcher workouts.

 

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3DM,
Now that I re-read it with your insight, I see that I did misread it. That does seam to be a good idea if you can get the other players to pony up for lessons for those two specialized positions. I apologize to daylitekate for the misinterpretation. I still disagree with the elitist comment tho, and stand by that part of my post. Thanks for the eye opener.

 

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I would have to say that she is pretty lucky. I don't think the parents from my team or most teams for that matter, would be willing to chip in for catching or pitching lessons unless their daughter was a pitcher or catcher. There are alot of expenses in softball to add an extra like that, especially with players changing teams so much that you wouldn't even be guaranteed that player would be with your team for long. The player who needs the lessons should pay for them, they could always go get sponsors or do a team fundraiser, there is always a way to earn money. Why put the financial burden on all the parents? When you choose a certain position you take the responsibilities and burdens that go with it. If you don't want to pay for pitching lessons, you better not try to be a pitcher.

 

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I'm sorry to hi-jack this thread, but am I reading that several of you think a pitcher should see their coach weekly? Are all of these girls first year pitchers? If you folks are seeing your pitching coaches more the twice a month your wasting your money in my opinion. How much can your DD progress in a week that requires a visit to an instructor?

My dd is currently seeing her pitching coach once a week and shares that hour with 3 other girls. When basketball season is over, she will go back to 2 days a week again sharing the hour. IMHO my dd has gotten a lot better and is currently working on a couple new pitches. It helps to have the coach there just to make sure she (and I) get it right when the coach isn't there.

She can correct herself, but it sure helps to have someone else who knows around. ;&

I agree that I wouldn't want to pay for someone else's private lessons. jmo

 

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Always tough to lose a girl.....especially a girl you like.......reminds me of a few years ago we had a girl who if she just did the work she needed to she would have been without a doubt one of the top pitchers in the area......friends, boys, etc.....became the priority in her life.....(one's own personal choice), and the lack of work showed up in every single game we put her on the mound......all year we encouraged her to work every day at home, it never happened and we had to make a clear choice to part ways after the season....it was hard to do because we liked her and her family.......but the team comes first....always has and always will for those team seeking continous improvement..........try as you might developing into what some have deemed "elite" takes a special effort....homework, lessons, etc......altho my DD does not pitch...she still attends her weekly hitting lessons and puts the time in at the net in the garage during winter months because she knows she has to in order to compete with those who are also doing their homework!

 

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If she lost her pitching spot due to some other player being better, than I would say it was warranted , best player plays.
But it also seems like the coach should work more on this in practice than relying so much on outside instruction to get his players prepared. The player shouldnt have regressed as much much as you say just because she couldnt afford pitching instructions once or twice a week.

You know I really dont care for this JAG but I have to agree!

 

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DD is a pitcher and we do lessons once a week and it is expensive. But my DD would gladly (and has) at any time work with girls that are beginning to show the snaps, motion, etc. Just like older girls would help her when she was starting. Just like any decent coach would facilitate for a player who came to them and said "I cant take my lessons do you know anyone who would help me...."

 

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DD is a pitcher and we do lessons once a week and it is expensive. But my DD would gladly (and has) at any time work with girls that are beginning to show the snaps, motion, etc. Just like older girls would help her when she was starting. Just like any decent coach would facilitate for a player who came to them and said "I cant take my lessons do you know anyone who would help me...."

My point exactly, If she was on the team for that long, she should have been getting SOME kind of pitch coaching or advice in 2 years time. I mean where was the coach, and what were they doing in practice all that time?


Btw, wtf is a JAG?

 

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If she lost her pitching spot due to some other player being better, than I would say it was warranted , best player plays.
But it also seems like the coach should work more on this in practice than relying so much on outside instruction to get his players prepared. The player shouldnt have regressed as much much as you say just because she couldnt afford pitching instructions once or twice a week.

Sounds to me like it just wasn't lack of pitching lessons, but lack of any kind of work/practice outside of games. You simply can't expect to compete with girls who are practicing 3+ times/week, regardless of whether you're attending pitching lessons one of those three times or not. IMO, the best pitchers pitch.

As for the coach not working on pitching during practice, he might have been, but he may not have had a great deal of pitching knowledge or even felt comfortable giving pitching instruction, the kind that is needed to maintain and improve a pitcher's skills. Many excellent coaches don't feel comfortable teaching pitching, that's why they may have a "pitching" coach. If your team is fortunate enough, they will have someone who can work with the pitchers, but that's not always the case. As a coach myself, I've been attending pitching lessons with my DD since she was 12, but I certainly don't profess to be a "pitching instructor". I do believe I'm able to help with with basic mechanical and pitch issues, but I want our pitchers taking pitching lessons at least twice a month with someone who is truly qualified and can teach new pitches and monitor their progress. Bottomline, pitchers have to put in a lot of time outside of team practices (including private pitching lessons) if they want to compete with the best. JMHO

 

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Well said loncor.

 

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My point exactly, If she was on the team for that long, she should have been getting SOME kind of pitch coaching or advice in 2 years time. I mean where was the coach, and what were they doing in practice all that time?
:

This girl played with this organization last year, but this team currently has a different coaching staff. One of the coaches is considered the pitchers coach. When he took that role on, he asked all of the parents of the pitchers to write down their pitches and what they struggle with usually. Like, they don't finish strong, they release to early etc... So in a game, the parents are not the ones telling the dd what they are doing wrong. It comes from him. Every week I give him an update on my dd's lesson and what to watch for. The coaches are doing the best they can since all of our pitchers go to different coaches. (not sure how this organization handled the pitchers last year)

 

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This girl played with this organization last year, but this team currently has a different coaching staff. One of the coaches is considered the pitchers coach. When he took that role on, he asked all of the parents of the pitchers to write down their pitches and what they struggle with usually. Like, they don't finish strong, they release to early etc... So in a game, the parents are not the ones telling the dd what they are doing wrong. It comes from him. Every week I give him an update on my dd's lesson and what to watch for. The coaches are doing the best they can since all of our pitchers go to different coaches. (not sure how this organization handled the pitchers last year)

Then it sounds like it is a much better situation than the previous year, good luck in the coming year!

 

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Thank you. Our team will still be good without her. I just hope she finds a new team for the 2009 season. I think she is a nice girl with a ton of potential!!