Using plays on wristbands

Greenmonsters · Oct 19, 2010

/B]

GOINGDEEP said:
IMO I'm working on my pitcher with the illegal advice. I guess I never thought of it as ' cheating ' the other team, just adjusting my pitcher. As we all know sometimes the pitcher and catcher will say " yes coach, those 'balls' are right across the plate ". But I also try to be a role model for my girls, I will restrain from use of the device from here on out.

GD

I don't understand why you have felt a need to rely on the parent behind the screen in the first place.
In addition to evaluating what's working that day/inning for the pitcher, a critical part of your catcher's job is to learn the umpire's strike zone and use it to maximize the pitcher's effectiveness. If you can't get objective feedback discreetly from your catcher (and a good catcher WILL always tell a P that they've 'got the most awesome stuff today' when they've actually got nothing), either they're not doing their job or your not teaching them/letting them do it! The time and responsibility you invest in teaching your catcher to be an on-field coach will pay dividends in both the short and long term.

IJS - GM

FPump · Oct 19, 2010

SoCalSoftballdad said:
SoCalASABlue / FPump - thank you for unholding the integrity of the game. Without your help in enforcing the rules, coaches would just about do anything for a win....

Your welcome SoCal, and thank you for the integrity and respect for the game you demonstrate here on the Forum, and as a coach, I'm sure you instill with your players.
FPump

FPump · Oct 19, 2010

GOINGDEEP said:
Thanks Fpump for the rule.

And yes, I umpired when I was younger. ( baseball, just out of college ) It's not an easy job but it's not Rocket Science either. The strike zone is clearly stated in baseball as it is in softball. When an umpire is not IMO adhering to the stated strike zone it becomes frustrating. There are lots of umpires I enjoy working with, and some that need to retire or think of another way to spend their weekends. But as you stated, "it's part of the game".

I'll admit I have never read the exact wording of the rule. Only heard examples of it by word of mouth. I'll also admit ignorance is not an excuse, so that one is on me. As a coach we have played from Florida to Oklahoma and I have never seen that rule enforced. ( ASA, USFA, USSSA, USGF, NSA, NIT )

IMO I'm working on my pitcher with the illegal advice. I guess I never thought of it as ' cheating ' the other team, just adjusting my pitcher. As we all know sometimes the pitcher and catcher will say " yes coach, those 'balls' are right across the plate ". But I also try to be a role model for my girls, I will restrain from use of the device from here on out.

GD

GD....good to hear. Nice job on your part. Good luck with your 2011 season, it will be hear before you know it.
FPump

SoCalASABlue · Oct 19, 2010

Even as an umpire and certainly as a coach, I share GOINGDEEP's frustration with umpires that appear to be ignoring the book strike zone. I constantly remind my DD that she has to adjust to the umpire's strike zone and that it doesn't matter she thought she just threw a strike. I would like to see the higher end of the strike zone enforced more since I believe not calling it gives the batters an unearned advantage. However even my own association UIC admits that umpires that enforce the high end of the zone are in for a very rough time.

When all else fails - whether it's coaching my team or dealing with issues at work - you just have to (stolen from Gunny Highway) "adapt, improvise, overcome."

Amy in AZ. · Oct 19, 2010

My young pitchers are reluctant to throw their CU, because they have already figured out that some umpires won't call it as a strike, even if it is.

FPump · Oct 19, 2010

Amy in AZ. said:
My young pitchers are reluctant to throw their CU, because they have already figured out that some umpires won't call it as a strike, even if it is.

Amy help me out here....CU?
Thnx

SamG · Oct 19, 2010

FPump said:
Amy help me out here....CU?
Thnx

I'm guessing Change Up

GOINGDEEP · Oct 19, 2010

Greenmonsters said:
/B]
I don't understand why you have felt a need to rely on the parent behind the screen in the first place.
In addition to evaluating what's working that day/inning for the pitcher, a critical part of your catcher's job is to learn the umpire's strike zone and use it to maximize the pitcher's effectiveness. If you can't get objective feedback discreetly from your catcher (and a good catcher WILL always tell a P that they've 'got the most awesome stuff today' when they've actually got nothing), either they're not doing their job or your not teaching them/letting them do it! The time and responsibility you invest in teaching your catcher to be an on-field coach will pay dividends in both the short and long term.

IJS - GM

My ace P and starting catcher work great together, I can usually take their feedback as gospel. My #2-3 P's and #2-3 catchers are still in the learning stages of the 'total' jobs of their positions besides the physical aspects. And we are a young team 13-15 YO playing 18u TB. So some of the mental stages of the game/girls have not fully matured. I'm trying to not only teach them the do's and don'ts but the how's and why's. And teach the TB politics that are so much a part of this game.

Why would I rely on a parent for input? That's when my less experienced pitchers/catchers are in. I'm getting input from a guy with over 40 years of pitching experience, 2 sons that pitched D1 and a grandchild pitching D2 now. He's my 2nd DD, I call him ( my darling dad )

Greenmonsters · Oct 19, 2010

GD - I get it, you'd be foolish not to tap into such a valuable resource. I have found that kids learn to ride a 2 wheeler faster the sooner the training wheels come off - there likely will be some misadventures and pain at first, but learning something the hard way can make a more permanent impression. Just keep giving your Cs and Ps constructive feedback and help them up when the fall/fail. There's always going to be some short term sacrifice in the interest of long-term benefit. Sounds like you've got a good plan

GM

TheRogue · Oct 27, 2010

Arm bands have been good. Just used them for offense and catcher last year, will use them for defensive signals this coming year as well. Mostly solves the problem of the other team picking the pitch calling, and helps offensively when you're playing a team for the umpteenth time and everyone knows everyone else's normal signs.

Using plays on wristbands

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