Pitcher Parents - If you could do it all over again...?

[Vertigo]

If I could do it all over again I would have sought out a pitching coach earlier, teaching her proper mechanics from the very beginning.

I would not coach her TB team because I hate the automatic "Mommyball" stigma that is out there, especially being the mom of a pitcher. Not all of us automatically fit that mold, and sometimes it seems like you are just damned if you do, damned if you don't. Plus sometimes I just enjoy being a spectator.

Lastly, I would have taken more pictures or videos of her during games when she was younger. Being coach does not typically provide the opportunities to do this during games, so mostly what I have are the memories. Thankfully, one of my moms now takes a lot of pics and will send me the ones of her.

 

[chrispots]

I honestly don't have any regrets at this point of the journey...

I am the HC and DD2 pitches...no, she's not my #1...what's funny is I think almost every other coach in the area thinks she is my #1...

I've learned plenty...some good and some bad...no regrets other than some wasted time and money...lots of pretenders out there...

My relationship with my all of my daughters is great...my relationship with DD2 is great too but it is different...in a positive way...much like my relationship with my Dad....it's like "the pitcher's bond" or something...I would think the guys like JAD, Sluggers and Riseball can identify with what I am trying to describe.

For some of the other comments in this thread...

Never had a problem with motivation for practice...we throw as a team once a week...mandatory...outside work with me, she gets 2 "passes" a month to skip our time together. I will also say that if she was distracted, tired or had a ton of homework, we would ONLY go through our warm up routine...you're not getting blood from a stone...

If you're not happy with your team...move on...no details or excuses needed...MOVE ON!!!

If you're happy with the team but not the pitch calling...have a conversation with the coach...as a HC I would expect you to have a better solution than "call different pitches." Bring a solution to the problem instead of just pointing out the problem...armchair QB's are a dime a dozen....for example, parents approached me about their DD and that she was more comfortable with my AC calling her pitches, so when she pitches I move off the bucket to the bench and let the AC call the pitches. Will the HC let you call pitches?

When to move to a futures\showcase team? Is she a top 5 pitcher in the area? At 14U is she mid 50's or have great movement or both? How does she fare against regional competition? Buzzing through local competition is one thing...buzzing through teams at regional\national events is another...

Other thoughts...

Think about the pressure we put on these kids and our expectations...they are ridiculous in many cases...Paige Lowery is a top 30 pitcher in the country and walked the first 3 batters last weekend...what are your expectations for your 10 year old? Turn on MLB some night and watch some 10 mil a year pitcher bounce 'em in the dirt...be realistic!

Positive reinforcement works whether it's clicker training or something else. Yelling at them "to just throw strikes" is about as useful as lips on a chicken.

Sometimes more is just more...that does not equate to better...DD2 and I can actually accomplish quite bit in 20 minutes...

Look at getting a fitness plan\personal trainer at 14U. Before that is premature and potentially harmful based on my conversations with the PT's and orthopedic Dr's at the hospital I work at.

Special thanks to Javasource for his time and guidance with all my pitchers. There is nothing like driving in a blizzard on hilly-twisty roads to come see you. I learned a ton from you and am forever indebted to you for that...I wish the best for you and Chloe... (all my girls still talk about her)

Special thanks to Rick Pauly for his guidance. His input here and privately to me is priceless.

Boardmember gets a big kudos for his input as well...this was where we started...

edited to add Doug Romrell gets a big thanks too! (not sure why he didn't show in my original post)...you are a wise, wise man who has helped a ton with my 3 pitchers as well...

Lastly...don't regret...take action so regret is NOT an option...and be positive...CP

 

[CLM265]

What we have experienced couldn't have been scripted any better. It's sometimes been frustrating but overall a successful, fun and exciting journey so far.

About the only thing that comes to mind is that to much instruction was being given during practice. It took longer than it should have to learn to limit the verbal instruction and since then practices are so much more relaxing for everyone. Love the clicker idea.

 

[obbay]

I think it would be a better question for parents who's kids tried to pitch, took lessons, worked on their own, but never quite made it as a pitcher. there are plenty. its a lot of extra work and $$. my DD is 16. 5'-2", 125lbs. she pitches in HS and TB but I don't know that she will be able to pitch in college. she hasn't hit 60 yet, but she is smart and has good movement. she loves the game, plays every position well but yeah, I guess I would do it again.

you always want to do what's best for your kid and if she loves pitching, I don't see how you could not dive in with her and support the dream.

 

[xygent1]

im done with the coaching part for the most part of my DD and she is also just a 8th grader and now has an awesome pc and travel-ball coach, that being said in her early development we concentrated just on the mechanics and hitting spots, spots, spots, spots and what has made her a prominent pitcher in our area, she throws 5 pitches as of right now fb, drop, curve, rise, and cu and works on just those 5 to master them and like riseball stated we have worked hard on that cu to me one of the most deadliest pitches there is if mastered, in my DD's case throwing close to 60mph and slowing it down anywhere from 38-45 mph is wicked to watch a batter try and wait on it and makes for some great footage lol, as for the other pitches her drop is ok, her curve is awesome and more like a curve drop, but her rise is still very much still in the works but shes got it just needs to own it per say. but I highly doubt seeing her learning very many more pitches in the future for the most part. maybe im wrong who knows

 

[Rocketech1]

If someone knew their DD was going to quit pitching at say 14U, there are a lot of people who would rather she had never started....

Well that would be unfortunate. No one knows how long someone will play this sport, so I have always been of the mind set to give DD every opportunity to succeed and see what happens. She may quit tomorrow or she may play thorough college. I have no idea but I do know that as long as she has a passion for the game and the position, I will support her any way I can.

 

[JAD]

Well that would be unfortunate. No one knows how long someone will play this sport, so I have always been of the mind set to give DD every opportunity to succeed and see what happens. She may quit tomorrow or she may play thorough college. I have no idea but I do know that as long as she has a passion for the game and the position, I will support her any way I can.

I would not trade my "bucket time" with my DD for anything, but I will have to admit that when I am still working at 75 I will look back and think that it would have been nice to retire at 65 if we had invested all the money we spent on TB into a Roth IRA....

 

[Top_Notch]

Lastly, I would have taken more pictures or videos of her during games when she was younger. Being coach does not typically provide the opportunities to do this during games, so mostly what I have are the memories. Thankfully, one of my moms now takes a lot of pics and will send me the ones of her.

I coached my eldest boy for 8 years in baseball. I have one picture to show for it. When my daughter took to sports I promised I wouldn't let that happen again. I have tons of pictures and ended up being the unofficial team photographer. I've even surprised myself with some shots and continue to try to get better. I have made video montages for the team to watch, season recap videos, photo books, and even given coaches framed pictures as gifts. Of the thousands of pictures I took, I think the below is still one of my favorites. To me it embodies why we do what we do. Time is fleeting but a good picture is timeless.

 

[ggalante6]

Well, that sums it up!

 

[RubberBiscuit]

But with these expectations, you put a tremendous amount of pressure on your young pitcher[/B]. The pressure will affect them mentally to the point they don't succeed and there progress will likely be very up and down with many setbacks. We've had great moments and success but had many lows. Its never a straight line. Also the anxiety and frustration of the parent did IMO have a very strong affect on my DD.

I would suggest that in this world of hyper-coddled kids out there that these high-end-sports-kids that we helped go through this hard work and the highs and lows that in general we have made a stronger set of women out there in the world.

I know my DD will handle adversity in the future far better than if she did not have this "training" and far better than my non-high-end-sports kids.

An analogy is my beautiful wife. By outward impressions she is a delicate flower. But natural childbirth, three times, with no meds, I know has made her tougher than I will ever be.