Playing in a very competitive tourney today (14U "A"), third round of the winners bracket. DD was pitching a great game. I think the score was 2-1 we were winning, 2 outs bases empty. The 4 hole comes up, big girl who smokes the ball regardless of the pitch location. The first two at bats DD altered speeds, hit her spots, etc....and the girl still roped the ball. The girl hugged the plate and just had one of those looks like "ha ha ha, I'm gonna crush whatever you give me". The kind of kid you want in your team. Anyway, you know the type......
So, I was sitting there in my chair along the fence trying to keep my mouth shut and let DD's coach do his job. I don't know what pitch sequence he was calling but it appeared to me that he was calling waste pitches just trying to keep the ball from going out of the park which was the best thing to do in my opinion since there was 2 outs and no one in base. DD had struck out the 5 hole twice already. Third pitch of the at bat DD puts one way inside trying to send her a message to scoot of the plate. Batter never moves and gives DD a chuckle and gets right back on the dish. Fourth pitch was a fireball straight to the ribs. The girl hunches over but is okay and walks down to first base while DD is staring at her the whole with a look on her face only a parent knows. The look that says "I know I should not have done that but man did it feel good". After the game I did not ask her what the coach called or if she meant to plunk that girl but I think we both know wether or not she meant to, the next time she faces that girl, she probably won't be as close to the plate. I couldn't help but be proud of her, right or wrong, I was proud of her for being a competitor. Anyway, I'd thought I would share the experience as I thought it was a good one.
5 hole comes up and hits a dink slow roller to first base to end the inning. We end up winning 3-1.
So, I was sitting there in my chair along the fence trying to keep my mouth shut and let DD's coach do his job. I don't know what pitch sequence he was calling but it appeared to me that he was calling waste pitches just trying to keep the ball from going out of the park which was the best thing to do in my opinion since there was 2 outs and no one in base. DD had struck out the 5 hole twice already. Third pitch of the at bat DD puts one way inside trying to send her a message to scoot of the plate. Batter never moves and gives DD a chuckle and gets right back on the dish. Fourth pitch was a fireball straight to the ribs. The girl hunches over but is okay and walks down to first base while DD is staring at her the whole with a look on her face only a parent knows. The look that says "I know I should not have done that but man did it feel good". After the game I did not ask her what the coach called or if she meant to plunk that girl but I think we both know wether or not she meant to, the next time she faces that girl, she probably won't be as close to the plate. I couldn't help but be proud of her, right or wrong, I was proud of her for being a competitor. Anyway, I'd thought I would share the experience as I thought it was a good one.
5 hole comes up and hits a dink slow roller to first base to end the inning. We end up winning 3-1.