Wrist Band Call System for Pitching

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Mar 7, 2012
144
0
PA
Last year we had the wrist bands for offense, after 2 tournaments of players not knowing signs. We tried quizzing them, drilling them into them, even making them run laps for each sign missed. They either confused them with their school signs or didn't care to learn them. Made it a little easier although I hated doing it.

This year I moved to a new organization to coach, we are using them for pitching and catching purposes. We have 4 pitches each with 3-4 "pitches" all with different numbers for pitches
Girl 1 - 1 fastball, 2 changeup, 3 dropcurve, 4 screw
Girl 2 - 1 fastball, 2 split, 3 change, 4 drop
Girl 3 - 1 fastball, 2 change, 3 screw, 4 dropcurve
Girl 4 - 1 fastball, 2 change, 3 drop

We tried getting them all on a consistent number system but its confused them and our catchers were going crazy trying to remember which pitchers numbers meant what. It seems to be working for now, and I have to admit I like the coaches who were trying to steal pitches last year not being able to do it anymore.
 
Feb 7, 2013
3,188
48
Last year we had the wrist bands for offense, after 2 tournaments of players not knowing signs. We tried quizzing them, drilling them into them, even making them run laps for each sign missed. They either confused them with their school signs or didn't care to learn them. Made it a little easier although I hated doing it.

This year I moved to a new organization to coach, we are using them for pitching and catching purposes. We have 4 pitches each with 3-4 "pitches" all with different numbers for pitches
Girl 1 - 1 fastball, 2 changeup, 3 dropcurve, 4 screw
Girl 2 - 1 fastball, 2 split, 3 change, 4 drop
Girl 3 - 1 fastball, 2 change, 3 screw, 4 dropcurve
Girl 4 - 1 fastball, 2 change, 3 drop

We tried getting them all on a consistent number system but its confused them and our catchers were going crazy trying to remember which pitchers numbers meant what. It seems to be working for now, and I have to admit I like the coaches who were trying to steal pitches last year not being able to do it anymore.

We make our pitchers use the same numbering system and location numbers. This way the pitching/catching batteries all use the exact same signs no matter who is pitching and who is catching. On offense you don't have different signs for each batter, why do it for the pitchers?
 

coachjwb

Love this game!
Apr 16, 2014
127
18
Northeast Ohio
I developed a wristband system last year for a 12-U team I was coaching after I got tired of some girls missing signs (OK, some of the times it was probably my fault), and other teams stealing them. The girls loved it and picked it up right away ... we worked on it for maybe a half hour in 2 different practices, and by the second game we played with them, they had it down pat. We used it for hitting and baserunning (traditional 3B coaching signs) only at the time, but we didn't have another sign stolen the rest of the year, and way less missed signs by our own time. It didn't speed up the game, but it didn't slow it down either. We used a simple 3 number system, with totally random combinations for the same signs.

The only issue was that the bands themselves were kind of expensive retail, so I got to thinking that if there was enough interest, I could get bulk pricing on the bands themselves and make it much more affordable for travel and school teams. So after the season, I asked on another Forum if there was any interest by other coaches and got an overwhelming response. To make a long story short, I developed a "hobby" out of doing customized signs for teams and essentially give them the wristbands at my cost plus a nominal fee for the system, and I have developed about 50 systems for teams in the last 7-8 months ... from 10-U teams t0 18-U to high school, and some local community colleges. Most teams are doing it for hitting and baserunning, some for pitch-calling and defense, and some for both. I don't believe in expensive bands (they're just going to get sweaty and dirty), in pitchers wearing armbands (so we worked out a solution around that) or in coaches calling out the signs and bringing attention to themselves, so that takes out most of the possible annoying features. The ones I've been doing aren't complicated ... only about 50-70 combinations.

So far, I've had a lot of great feedback. I personally think it's going to take off more and more, but I'm admittedly biased. But I had one 18-U Gold coach ask me to do some for him after 2 different college coaches told him he should consider them so the girls get used to them before they go to college.
 
Sep 24, 2013
696
0
Midwest
I guess my first question is, with so many great players, do you just cut the ones that don't rise to your expected level of play? 10U & 12U that are hitting all their spots? I simply don't believe you. Secondly, lots of things are "good enough for the top levels", but having an 11 year old actually understand and execute it is another matter.

There are a lot of great players in my region. My 9 year olds were so great they took 7th in Nationals last summer......There is some VERY good softball players in hotspots in this country. More than there were a decade ago-ALOT MORE>

With dozens of 10 and 12u tourney teams and 2-4 tournies(with 50-200 teams) within an hour every weekend theres a place for everyone. At the A level they all hit spots and mix speeds. At the B level its a mix. At the C level most just throw. Then we have the VIP (C) tourney level which is a mix of C and B.

and don't assume your players are stupid. The wristband system is being executed by 8 year olds daily in my region. Its simpler than deciphering hand signs. Give your girls some credit when it comes to them understanding and executing top level ideals. Youll be pleasantly surprised.
 

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