Pitching and Pitchers Discussion Where are all of the pitchers at?

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We try to let all our players know whether they will be invited back at least a week before tryout season begins. And we ask them to respond to us before tryouts as well so we can advertise accurately as to our needs.

I know there are some who believe that we are passing up the opportunity to improve the team by making everyone earn their team membership at the open tryout, but I think that the stability for the team created by keeping a core group of girls cannot be overestimated. We've got a whole database (three years now for several of our players) based on actual experience, and by "database" I'm not talking just about statistics. Things like how the families will get along, whether the parents are supportive of the program even if their daughter sits some, whether the girls and the parents are willing to invest the time and expense into proper mechanics . . .hard to predict these things if you are willing to commit to a wholesale turnover of players. Keeping a core is, I think, a HUGE advantage in reducing drama during the travel season.

I like this Carol and am of the same mindset. Perfect example of an organization that is more worried about developing those they have than trying to recruit nothing but studs every year. I'm sure with this kind of "database" you can easily see the girls that are working to improve versus the girls that just aren't in the game anymore. Kudos!

 

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One of the best pitchers I saw this summer had a decent fastball (53 to 55mph) and had good control (hit locations and moved the ball in/out & up/down). But what made her one the best seen was her ability to work in her change-up, curve and rise ball at any point to any batter. We watched her in two different tourneys and she had a hand full of k's but I only saw her hit hard two times. So while speed kills peaches, it is the crafty ones that will rule the circle.

 

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Well said HeatQuest, well said!

 

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One of the best pitchers I saw this summer had a decent fastball (53 to 55mph) and had good control (hit locations and moved the ball in/out & up/down). But what made her one the best seen was her ability to work in her change-up, curve and rise ball at any point to any batter. We watched her in two different tourneys and she had a hand full of k's but I only saw her hit hard two times. So while speed kills peaches, it is the crafty ones that will rule the circle.

What age are you talking about here?

 

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Gee . . . is fpdad looking for a pitcher?

 

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Gee . . . is fpdad looking for a pitcher?

No Philbob, I allready have one living in my house, do you honestly think I can afford another one......OMG....

 

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FPDad -- I guess we could be thankful that we don't have TWIN dds who are pitchers.

 

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I would say as well most coaches with half a brain do not let their pitchers hit the "open market". Not saying they force them to stay but I would say most know if they have their top pitchers coming back as well.

Because we had 2 No.1 pitchers from the past season commit with offers before tyouts, we choose to take on another this year with cirumstances that were discussed with these 2 pitchers and the new girls from tryouts that were offered spots. We now have 3 very strong pitchers. Now, I have 2 other girls that pitch and would be starters for maaaany teams. These players and their parents were told at tryouts their role and how we will manage our team. So, we really have 5 pitchers. Our first 3 will be needed to cover a deep schedule and potential injuries.

Interesting thread...We had to look long and hard, but we found what we needed (with more than a little help from our friends - thanks Les!). Sure I would love to have that 2K/IP type of pitcher, but I can operate with the good control, good command, and mound presence type and still win.

Tim, soooo glad we could help!!! The girl you are happy with would not have fit into this "good problem" and I was happy to see her play for team where she could get some mound time.

So, to manage it is to communicate it and I hope all on our roster will be happy even with how well I let them know how we roll... If it wasn't for us doing as Stephen Matthews said, I wouldn't have the luxury we have.

I also agree with the previous post about catchers being a premium. Hindsight is great in our org... we can help our young teams at the "start-up" point to build the catchers as aggressively if not even more to avoid our mistakes. So getting either of these 2 disciplines on board is essential and this post could be about both. IMO, you can't just grow a catcher out of the girls you sign... it takes a special player to want to sit behind the plate.

 

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What age are you talking about here?

did someone say "4U"....:lmao::lmao::cap:

 

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I guess one might ask the question, Why are there so many teams...mabey because alot (not all) of folks spend tons of money on pitching lessons with some instructors texting and clapping their hands on every pitch telling the kid she is one of the best and ill cya next week at the same time and those parents buy in to it and think there is no way my dd is a number two, we will find a team or mabey start a team of our own.Hey it is just a thought ...anyone on that page ??

You are absolutely right. The only coaches that don't tend to do business this way are the serious ones with a reputation to keep. They usually don't beat around the bush with parents. They let them know after a couple of lessons whether they're wasting their money and his/her time. They don't want someone out there that just doesn't have it telling everyone that so-n-so is their dd pitching coach.