My daughter wanted to pitch starting about 9 yr old. We worked in the back yard (I have no idea how to pitch underhand) without a pitching coach. She was always a secondary pitcher on most of her teams but was good enough to throw strikes (most of the time). She worked on it in travel ball a bit and would pitch a few innings every tournament but was never the primary pitcher on any team she was on......until her sophomore year in high school. Then she pitched almost every inning of every game for the JV. She played Varsity as a junior but played CF as they had a senior pitcher. She pitched the odd game or finished up games that were out of hand one way or the other.OK... Still WOW..... This whole thing was just a slap in the face, once I realized 9yo girls were leaving Rec for Travel and Full time jobs as Softball players I was like WTF??????
I'll take it a game at a time and just enjoy it....
I'm kinda regretting the whole pitching thing already b/c I can see even with a top coach we go to, it's going to be way intense where she could have aced fielding and hitting instead....lol
Catchers are nearly as valuable as pitchers. If I had a good one, I wouldn’t care if she threw the ball with her feet.Damn, you guys are all about it. I was just happy that none of my girls cried after practice tonight.
P.S. at what age do lefties start getting pigeonholed into positions. How long can they last as catchers?
Well, Jenny Topping had a nice NCAA career and a gold medal.at what age do lefties start getting pigeonholed into positions. How long can they last as catchers?
Great story. Your girls will remember these stories and that you were there to cherish/experience the moment with them for the rest of their lives.We spend all our free time at a field of some sort. it's going to be a fun spring and summer.
Softball it doesn't seem to matter as much. There are more than one big D1 schools with left catchersDamn, you guys are all about it. I was just happy that none of my girls cried after practice tonight.
P.S. at what age do lefties start getting pigeonholed into positions. How long can they last as catchers?
Don't believe the hype there is lots of crying in softball.Damn, you guys are all about it. I was just happy that none of my girls cried after practice tonight.
P.S. at what age do lefties start getting pigeonholed into positions. How long can they last as catchers?
guilty, although I don't coach. it is very difficult when your kid pitches well and then an infielder let's a dribbler go though the wickets. ?. my daughter pitched a game in 12u where her team committed 17 errors over 2 innings. Gotta admit it was hard to bite my tongue when some of the other parents then give you advice on how she could pitch better. How about you teach your daughter to stop something smaller than a beach ball or charge a slow roller or throw to first with something other than a one hopper? You sign up for this when you become a pitcher parent but not many outside the fraternity know the heartache. My daughter's been pitching since she was 9 and the newbie pitching parents almost always come to admit the ratcheted up intensity. Had one dad admit he went from get it next time guy to dive for that every time guy the second his daughter pitched her first game.Pitchers parents are definitely the wackiest in my experience Lots of video taping, pacing back and fourth and coaching from behind the backstop.
Had one dad admit he went from get it next time guy to dive for that every time guy the second his daughter pitched her first game.
This. Practice the form at top speed. Had lots of parents and coaches tell my daughter to slow down to throw more strikes. Do not do that even if you have to confront people and tell them to shut the heck up. These boring games is the price other parents pay for later when their kids can't field.For the first two years of my daughters pitching development she was never told to "throw strikes". Myself and her coaches always instructed her to throw hard and not to worry about where the ball went. There were many games where we would lose 13-12 and the other team wouldn't get a hit. But in the long run it really paid off.
These boring game are part of the reason why kids can't field later and have no concept of the game. Walk fests suck and are terrible for all aspects of the game. Hitters learn they don't ever have to swing because pitchers can't throw 3 out of 7 pitches for a strike. Fielders don't learn how to field live off the bat because nobody ever hits the ball. Teams don't know where to go when balls are put in play because the last time one was put in play was 45 minutes ago. Not throwing strikes sucks the entire life out of the game.This. Practice the form at top speed. Had lots of parents and coaches tell my daughter to slow down to throw more strikes. Do not do that even if you have to confront people and tell them to shut the heck up. These boring games is the price other parents pay for later when their kids can't field.
I agree. This is why I'm trying to make sure my daughter is well rounded. Even on club team she plays many positions (CF/C/P) in that order and in a pinch INF. At 10u she was SS. I'm trying to make her well rounded until she get a bit older. She sees time at all of her positions but CF/C are her best. Shes one of 2 girls we have confidence that can catch with no issue. It very noticeable between kids that can and can't. We use our pitching machine to throw fly balls and also hit them.Daughter had her first JV HS game yesterday. She has dabbled with catching throughout youth softball, mainly because we didn't have anyone else who could catch. It was never her primary position in Club though. Well she made the switch to catcher this year in HS. It was mainly due to the recommendation of the varsity coach, guess the catching pipeline is thin. She threw out her first HS baserunner trying to steal second yesterday and was very proud. She caught the whole game but did say she hopes to get to play other positions, catching can be exhausting.
Regarding position flexibility, versatility in the field is something I have always preached. So many kids(and parents) get caught up in playing infield. There are so few girls that know how to track and catch a fly ball in the outfield it's crazy. I know it's tough when they are little, outfield doesn't get a ton of action but when they get older and stronger OF is really important. Don't be afraid to get your girls some time in the outfield, it's NOT a punishment.
There are a lot of ways to swing a bat. There are far fewer ways to properly throw a ball. If I only recommend one drill here, it's the Wasserman bottle drill.we had a mom coach come to our clinics last night and was like I notice they don't teach elbow up anymore and thats how i played for 17 years. it was neat talking changes over the years with how things are taught etc
A roster is often 12. 3 pitchers, 2 catchers and a primary at every other position. Just one SS, one 3B, one 2B, but THREE OFs. One of my daughters was a 3B until 12, the other a SS until 12. Both went on to play CF. Best 1B I ever saw plays D1 RF now and was B10 freshman of the year.Don't be afraid to get your girls some time in the outfield, it's NOT a punishment.
If your daughter continues to play at a high level, she may decide to gear up. A sliding knee pad. Elbow protector when hitting. Ankle braces.My daughter doesn't wear sliding pads. She did when she was younger but she doesn't like them.
Right. It's my 'fastpitch FBG'. Good people. A lot to wade through. Pitching and hitting forums are particularly good.There is a ton of good info on this forum. I used it ALOT when I was coaching
https://www.discussfastpitch.com
She uses a elbow protector and has a sliding knee pad she doesn't like..lolIf your daughter continues to play at a high level, she may decide to gear up. A sliding knee pad. Elbow protector when hitting. Ankle braces.
I think you misinterpreted by back handed acknowledgement that my daughter has probably inflicted as much pain on other parents as their kids have inflicted on me.These boring game are part of the reason why kids can't field later and have no concept of the game. Walk fests suck and are terrible for all aspects of the game. Hitters learn they don't ever have to swing because pitchers can't throw 3 out of 7 pitches for a strike. Fielders don't learn how to field live off the bat because nobody ever hits the ball. Teams don't know where to go when balls are put in play because the last time one was put in play was 45 minutes ago. Not throwing strikes sucks the entire life out of the game.
I am also the parent of a pitcher but if you can't throw strikes everything suffers. I am by no means advocating changing your mechanics just so you throw strikes but throwing strikes should be the primary goal of teaching pitching. Typically that happens when mechanics are done properly. Hit your spots with your fastball (yes throw as hard as you can by using the proper mechanics) and get to a point where you can throw the ball consistently to the same spot.
Baseball/Softball is extremely difficult and boring at younger ages. Pitchers do struggle with learning how to throw strikes and it take a lot of time and practice to get to the point of being able to throw consistent strikes. I may have misunderstood your intention on the "don't worry about throwing strikes just throw as hard as you can" aspect of your comment. I don't think that helps matters if you aren't working on proper mechanics.I think you misinterpreted by back handed acknowledgement that my daughter has probably inflicted as much pain on other parents as their kids have inflicted on me.
As to your second point I get it but sans the prodigies their aren't a lot of girls that are going to be able to throw strikes to batters on demand in their first year or year and a half of pitching. they are going to have good innings and they are going to have bad innings. I think this is part of the reason a lot of non parent coaches only do 14s and up, at least in my experience. Anyway it's part of the learning curve for the game and I'm sure you don't appreciate other parents coaching your daughter when she is having an off day / game/inning. Certainly when they have no clue what they are talking about.
The best programs offer free pitching and catching clinics ages 6-10. With great encouragement and technique everybody wins. If you're a parent with any opportunity to join a board meeting, get this in front of them.As to your second point I get it but sans the prodigies their aren't a lot of girls that are going to be able to throw strikes to batters on demand in their first year or year and a half of pitching. they are going to have good innings and they are going to have bad innings. I think this is part of the reason a lot of non parent coaches only do 14s and up, at least in my experience. Anyway it's part of the learning curve for the game and I'm sure you don't appreciate other parents coaching your daughter when she is having an off day / game/inning. Certainly when they have no clue what they are talking about.
Belljr's Xmas list:Wish we had an indoor facility. We have to pay to go to one of the local places
LOL - like I don't own all that already..... We do tee work in the garage. I don't have enough space for anything else (pitching, catching). We block light flight balls in the living room ...Belljr's Xmas list:
1. An unfinished basement or a heated garage stall with a net, rubber plate and tee.
2. A boom box with daughters music and volume set to 11. Let the good times roll.
This is specifically geared towards someone that wants to be serious players and sell out for top level competition......this is not the path for everyone and not necessarily the path to be a solid high school player.Re: 'by the time kids are 14'. I don't want to offend anyone. I apologize if what I write next seems insensitive. Of course it's just a game. And recreational activities or extra curricular activities are for enjoyment.
That said, dad's of 8-10s need to understand that their daughters 'career' (bracing myself) needs to be tracking by 11s. YMMV. Travel starts in earnest at 12U. 11s is first year 12s. You're on the A team, with better teammates, better coaching, maybe/probably more reps, vs better competition, or you're not. Every practice, game or tourney or certainly at least every season you're not, you're falling behind.
14s are joining some college clinics. 15s get scouted. 16s start 'dating' coaches and making visits and sign NLIs. (Disclaimer, my daughters, like about half their class, were 17 as seniors).
In MN Fastpitch is a HS spring season. Seniors apply to colleges in Sep-Oct and get acceptance letters in Jan. Senior year is meaningless. Junior HS year and the following summer 16/17s is your year.
It would be a rare and exceptional talent that learns to swing a bat, see pitches and play this game at a high level with a serious start at 14s. In part because she's on the B/C team, isn't on a top club team in the state (coaching, competition, conditioning, etc), doesn't have a year-round situation, isn't starting varsity as a 9th grader, etc.
HS is becoming secondary for a variety of reasons and one of the main ones is that season is the same as the college season so it is harder for the coaches to scout. Also, travel tourneys are easier to see a bunch of top talent all in one place so it minimizes scouting.HS is going to be a tough animal. They have a freshman only team policy. THey don't allow freshman to play JV or V. Every year there is a fight with one kid who should be moved up. Here it feels - Colleges take club ball here more seriously than HS unfortunately.
I quoted a little. I agree with everything you wrote. And CO has gorgeous facilities. My girls played in the Sparkler, Fireworks tourneys and were selected to play in the Rockies stadium for games on ESPN3. I'm very fortunate to live surrounded by maybe 40 fields and 4 domes (heated winters) in a 15 mile radius.I live in Colorado I don't have 3 or 4 hours a day for drive time for each kid to get them to the ideal situation.
Around here players politely share club drills and practice plans with HS coaches and are instructed to nod politely when the HS coach offers instruction, then do what you do. Then after HS ball we spend the first 2 weeks repairing them.As far as keeping freshmen down there is some merit to that by focusing on fundamentals more and getting a proper foundation for the future levels.
Yep. Same here. However, some HS coaches run their own travel teams as well in the off season.Zerp said:Around here players politely share club drills and practice plans with HS coaches and are instructed to nod politely when the HS coach offers instruction, then do what you do. Then after HS ball we spend the first 2 weeks repairing them.
YepZerp said:belljr, respectfully, you don't have a problem. If there's a problem, it's that it all goes by so fast [I know, everyone says that, I didn't understand what it meant when they said it to me when the girsl were 6 and 8, wish I did, take more pics!]
3. 2 Frisbees; 4. colored wiffles; 5. an old volleyball; 6. a short bat; 7. golf wiffles, 8. a hammer, 9. a long-handled spatula with finger grip; 10. a bag of 10 old wooden bats; etc etc etc
I’m guessing the high school coaches can point me in a positive direction?Beware clubs that have a 'money team'. Beware clubs that expect private lessons and full year costs go to $5K.
Zerp said:Around here players politely share club drills and practice plans with HS coaches and are instructed to nod politely when the HS coach offers instruction, then do what you do. Then after HS ball we spend the first 2 weeks repairing them.
I'm in MA and that is around what the good programs charge here, Daughter is still U14. This is what we get for that:@Cjw_55106 We're both in MN. In the TCs, $2K club fees for a top club. Plus expenses. I can say more in a PM if you'd like.
HS coaches will have their agendas. It depends on what you are trying to accomplish. If your kid is likely a HS player and probably not beyond it might be a benefit to contact the HS coach and see what they recommend and follow that. It will put you in a good light with the coach which won't hurt your chances while playing for that coach.I’m guessing the high school coaches can point me in a positive direction?
Don’t most players play for both the high school and club team?HS coaches will have their agendas. It depends on what you are trying to accomplish. If your kid is likely a HS player and probably not beyond it might be a benefit to contact the HS coach and see what they recommend and follow that. It will put you in a good light with the coach which won't hurt your chances while playing for that coach.
It might not be the best overall instructionally for your kid but if your goal is a fine HS career it probably doesn't matter much in the long run.
We have great locations not so sure the facilities. I can only think of one indoor facility where you could set up an infield and throw the ball around. everything else is pretty much converted warehouse space.I quoted a little. I agree with everything you wrote. And CO has gorgeous facilities. My girls played in the Sparkler, Fireworks tourneys and were selected to play in the Rockies stadium for games on ESPN3. I'm very fortunate to live surrounded by maybe 40 fields and 4 domes (heated winters) in a 15 mile radius.
In my experience, most or almost all club players play HS ball. Not all HS players play club ball. For some elite players, senior year is awesome. They're playing with their friends. In a few cases, the HS team is weak, the HS coach is a clown, the player has a scholly, she spends winter and spring conditioning then moves to campus mid-summer with fresh arms and legs to preseason train with college team.Don’t most players play for both the high school and club team?