Pitching and Pitchers Discussion Where have all the Pitchers gone?

[ump5761]

Where's all the pitcher's? Where to start...
- In a line-up, there are at least 9 spots for hitters, 1 spot for a pitcher. The odds of being a hitter are greater than being a pitcher. Therefore, spending your private lesson cash on hitting lessons, makes sense.
- It seems in 10u, physically bigger girls are preferred to pitch, therefore smaller girls could be discouraged. Just making it to 12u as a pitcher must be some sort of milestone.
- There is a long learning curve with pitching "strikes". How many pitches does it take to pitch continuous strikes? Many, many hours of practice.
- The cost of lessons is very taxing on families, most coaches want to know who the pitcher's pitching coach is, therefore you need one. Not always, I'm sure. (Not saying other positions don't have private lessons or in same situation.)
- In this area you need to find a place to pitch inside frequently during the winter, which can become a burden.
- While a player can practice tee work on their own, much of pitching requires another person to be present, in general. So the level of parent involvement is huge, in most situations. (Not saying it's not with other positions too.)
- Pitchers just have to be naturally "mentally tough." They have to have thick skin, other parents/coaches/opponents will forget the pitcher is a little girl too. Some pitcher's/pitcher's parents can't handle it and quit.
- If a player opt's to pitch as an 8 year old, would that same zest for pitching last until 16 years old? That's doubtful.
- There'a probably many more...

I've been laying off this board since my dd is currently playing college ball, but I have to agree with all your points. A lot of the prob also lies on the saturation of teams.

DD pitched while just a baby, 8-9 years old, had good speed, but i wouldn't let her learn junk till she mastered the basics. Back 12 years ago we dealt with Daddy Ball, but at a different level. Not nearly as many teams as there are now. Many good, talented pitchers were discouraged by coaches about pitching since their dd's pitched and got all the game time. So in turn the opportunities to pitch were not available. I wasn't willing to ruin my dd's arm early, then boom, she was cut. Coach said that if she wanted to pitch, she needed to move to another team. Discouraged, she decided to show everyone. Quit pitching and became a practice dog. Everyday, every night, weekends, and all winter long. If she wouldn't have been discouraged and put that effort into pitching, she would have been unstoppable!

Fast forward 12 years and every community has a travel team, which is outstanding. I love seeing what the sport has become and all the opportunities it has presented to the girls. Sometimes coaches, even though they mostly have the girls best interest at heart, do not know what they are doing when they say some things to young girls. Quite a few coaches are looking for the next big thing for themselves without COACHING the girls to get there. This isn't D1 college. Coaches need to be unafraid to coach, and nurture a young girl that is going to be willing to put in the time, dedication, and effort in becoming better. That's why its called coaching! Yes, the girl might leave and go to a more competitive team. Big deal, coaches should be proud when that happens. Its not about the coaches, its about putting some well rounded, good people into the world.

Where have all the pitchers gone? They are right under your nose coaches! Find a naturally talented young lady, give her some attention, teach her that hard work equals success, and point her in the right direction. See what she does when you hand her the ball. Failure will be common early, but as her growth continues, so shall the wins.

Mic drop!
Go Bucks!

 

[brownsfan]

If I am a talented or very talented 14u / 16u pitcher and I am interested in having the opportunity to play major D1 softball. I am looking to play against the best competition across North America week in and week out. I want to face the best hitters from the West Coast and the South. I know I have to prove myself to the D1 coaches that I can handle these types of hitters to be able to compete at their D1 level. I want an organization that can provide the resources and college coach contacts that I need to succeed. Even though the Travel softball organizations in Ohio are very good they are not able to offer the same level of play and resources that the high tier softball organizations are able to offer. With the pitching talent continuing to get better and better coming out of this region the demand is increasing and you see the high tier organizations making adjustments to accommodate to these talented pitchers needs. If you look at the talented pitchers that have made verbal commitments to major D1 colleges in the last couple of years they are all playing with those high tier organizations.

That is where the pitching talent is going. IMO

I'm sorry, but there is an organization in Ohio that does this and that's the Outlaws. I'm not being biased, but speaking the truth. Warren does whatever power he can to get his girls in front of those colleges, but it's on the girls to deliver. Since fall, my dd has pitched/played at the main complex for Scenic City, D9 in Orlando, Team NJ, Demarini, and PGF National. He had a mixed team in the ITD part of Boulder in the 2018/2020 range for the exposure. He had his 18U Gold team there as well.

As some as said, some got discouraged, some have found other activities, and others want to play other positions. Those who are 10/12U and small...DO NOT quit. Continue to work, and get better. Find opportunities to get more pitch time to work your craft. It will and can happen

 

[tankerlab]

The topic of the post is one all of us college coaches have been asking all summer.

Maybe you have not been looking in the right places or teams ?

 

[JoeA1010]

Maybe you have not been looking in the right places or teams ?

Let's hear from you on what teams or places I should be looking.

 

[tankerlab]

True that on speed!!!

 

[tankerlab]

Freedom Elite 16 U southwest Ohio