When did you pitching DD start pitching exclusively?

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JJsqueeze

Dad, Husband....legend
Jul 5, 2013
5,436
38
safe in an undisclosed location
I know this doesn't apply to everyone, but I can see the writing on the wall that DDs pitching skills are far superior to all of her other softball skills so I am pretty sure that on next year's team she will be exclusively a pitcher in tourneys. That will be 2nd year 14s, I am just curious when other kids went through batterpause.
 
Oct 30, 2014
292
18
Seattle
I don't have a real answer for you other than to say the cliche "any age is fine as long as she still enjoys it" but I wanted to chime in to say kudos to you for the usage of 'batterpause.'
 
Feb 17, 2014
7,152
113
Orlando, FL
My DD hit in HS through her Senior year and then in TB off and on just for grins. Once she got to college they did not want her stepping into the box, even for fun during BP. It really depends on 2 factors, the skills of your DD and the depth of the team with respect to hitting. If she is valuable in the circle she needs not only to be able to hit well enough to crack the batting order, she also needs to bring enough value in the batters box to out weigh the associated risks. As with most strong pitchers if she gets hurt, the season could very well go right into the dumper. My DD got hit in the wrist during the first game vs LSU. Had to leave for x-rays and the SC coaches saw their post season life flash before their eyes. :)
 

JAD

Feb 20, 2012
8,231
38
Georgia
We changed teams this season because my DD did not want to be a "pitch-n-sit". Last season she played @ 25% (4 pitchers) and saw very little time at any other position. The coach would only bat 9 in showcases, pool games, and bracket play. DD was going to hit and play some 1B in HS, so we found a team where she could get some time in the field and would be allowed to hit whenever possible.

There was one girl on our team last season who was perfectly content being a pitch-n-sit, so different strokes for different folks. She did not even bother to carry a bat in her bag....as a coach it is much easier to keep these players and their parents happy, but great athletes want to compete, not chart pitches.
 
May 30, 2013
1,442
83
Binghamton, NY
as a 1st year 14, there is still time to "right the ship" with regard to hitting, if she wants to do the work.

she's so lean an athletic looking,
I can't imagine she wouldn't be competitive in a secondary fielding position and in the batter's box.

There is enough precedent in D1 for pitchers who hit and play secondary positions,
(James Madison's pitching staff is a good, current example. Also Gronewagen from Minn, Carda from UCLA, etc.)
that I just wouldn't give up on that just quite yet.
 

JAD

Feb 20, 2012
8,231
38
Georgia
There is enough precedent in D1 for pitchers who hit and play secondary positions,
(James Madison's pitching staff is a good, current example. Also Gronewagen from Minn, Carda from UCLA, etc.)
that I just wouldn't give up on that just quite yet.

Pitchers that hit in college are usually STUDS, and college players are being compensated through scholarships for their time and efforts. In TB and HS ball the players and their parents and PAYING to play....and when I am paying for my DD to play, I would like for it to be more than 25% of the time!
 
May 30, 2013
1,442
83
Binghamton, NY
Pitchers that hit in college are usually STUDS,

I agree.

You just never see a pitcher hitting in the 6,7,8,9 slots in major D1.
Can't recall ever seeing a pitcher batting lead-off, or even #02;
but 3,4,5 is common.
Always amazed seeing pitchers batting cleanup.
 

sluggers

Super Moderator
Staff member
May 26, 2008
7,132
113
Dallas, Texas
My DD stopped playing other positions at 13YOA. The only time she played a position after that was her senior year of HS, where she played 1B. In college, she pitched exclusively.

I can't imagine she wouldn't be competitive in a secondary fielding position and in the batter's box.

As the team's get better, the players on the teams get better. By college, all the players are good athletes. Her teammates have skill sets better adapted to playing other positions.

The pitcher will spend the bulk of her practice time pitching while the other players are practicing fielding and hitting. It doesn't take long until the pitcher is far below the skill level of the other players.

The pitcher won't be able to play the outfield...she is too slow. Th pitcher can't catch, obviously. SS and 2B are out...the middle infielders are 100X better fielders than the pitcher. 3B is ridiculously hard to play. All that is left is 1B.

If a kid worked hard on hitting, she could probably bat and play 1B.

But, how much time should a kid devote to softball in college? There is no pot of gold at the end of the softball rainbow...at some point, the kid has to go to class and do homework. Hopefully, they will have some social life other than softball.
 
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Jun 12, 2015
3,848
83
Pitchers that hit in college are usually STUDS, and college players are being compensated through scholarships for their time and efforts. In TB and HS ball the players and their parents and PAYING to play....and when I am paying for my DD to play, I would like for it to be more than 25% of the time!

ITA. Obviously your DD's a good player, too. So it makes even less sense to stay on a team with so little time on the field.
 
Nov 29, 2009
2,975
83
My DD started pitching exclusively when she was playing 16U ball. She always played on very competitive teams. There were other players who were faster, hit better and were stronger fielders. She was fine with it. She and I knew and understood the deal. She pitched 50% or more of the innings. When it came to a big game she got handed the ball. When the other pitchers fell apart she was brought in to quell the rally. Her travel teams had 15 - 16+ players on the roster. Everyone had to compete for time. Including the pitchers. That's where she learned to toughen up mentally and compete.

Her HS team was pretty much a travel team with respect to the number of talented players on the team. 125+ kids at tryouts. No rec ball kids on the team. Played in the toughest conference in the state. She and another pitcher split innings. My DD got the ball for most of the big games. A third got some of the games against weak teams. The fourth got a a few innings here and there.


In TB and HS ball the players and their parents and PAYING to play....and when I am paying for my DD to play, I would like for it to be more than 25% of the time!

You have that wrong. The parents are paying for their DD's to be on the team. What you "like" is pretty much irrelevant. It comes down to your DD's performance versus the other players on the team. What I tell my 14U teams is this. From now on they are competing EVERY time they step on to the field. Whether it's a game, practice, conditioning or other team functions. They are competing against the other teams, themselves and their teammates. If you want more time in the games out-play, out-hustle and out-hit your competition. Make it hard for me or any other coach to not play you.

Having to compete served my DD well in college. She started as a freshman in the circle and outperformed all the other pitchers on the team to the point the coach handed her the ball for the championship game in the conference tournament.
 
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