New team. New HE coach dilemma.

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Oct 6, 2015
55
8
I know this subject has been discussed on here before and that I am not treading new ground but any advice would be helpful. My daughter is currently trying out for a team. The coach is a young former pitcher. She likes to give instruction to the pitchers. There are 4 pitchers right now and my daughter is the only one that doesn't take lessons from her. Of course, the coach is an HE still instructor. My daughter is throwing very well in the tryouts but the coach has told her things like, "you are releasing wrong. Your palm shouldn't be down after release. It should be up and out". Also, "Make sure there is no bend in our throwing arm. Keep it straight all the way through". If my daughter lands on this team, what is the best way to approach this coach about this?
 
Feb 17, 2014
7,152
113
Orlando, FL
Why in the world would you even consider placing your DD on this team? From your post I fail to see any upside to the scenario. FIND ANOTHER TEAM!!!
 
Jun 12, 2015
3,848
83
Uh, yeah. There are usually plenty of choices for good pitchers. Take a pass on that one. It won't end well.
 
Dec 12, 2012
1,668
0
On the bucket
I know this subject has been discussed on here before and that I am not treading new ground but any advice would be helpful. My daughter is currently trying out for a team. The coach is a young former pitcher. She likes to give instruction to the pitchers. There are 4 pitchers right now and my daughter is the only one that doesn't take lessons from her. Of course, the coach is an HE still instructor. My daughter is throwing very well in the tryouts but the coach has told her things like, "you are releasing wrong. Your palm shouldn't be down after release. It should be up and out". Also, "Make sure there is no bend in our throwing arm. Keep it straight all the way through". If my daughter lands on this team, what is the best way to approach this coach about this?

ughh...

Living this scenario right now. Almost exactly the same except the coach is a middle aged man instead of a young former pitcher. Sure it won't end well.

Irony is that the other pitchers on the current team do not use HE mechanics. Don't know if he realizes that or not.
 

JAD

Feb 20, 2012
8,231
38
Georgia
There has got to be another team that would LOVE to have your DD and would not mess with her mechanics. Find that team, and find them NOW!
 
Sep 29, 2014
2,421
113
Do you have other options or are you stuck in an area with few options; if you have other choices go for it; but if it's the only place she could get innings then maybe talk to the coach.

Of course there are lots of other factors...what age are we talking about here is she 10 and going to get intimidated or is she 15 and can simply produce in the circle and let the coach know she has a private pitching coach.

The biggest concern is that she gets labeled uncoachable and coach does not let her pitch, again this depend on if there is another pitcher on the team that is better than your daughter or would she be the #1 pitcher hands down.
 
Oct 6, 2015
55
8
Thanks for all the replies. Here's the deal. She already plays for a travel team that we love but this team is the middle school team here in the county. So, it's the first time playing with the girls she will be playing with in HS. That's the ONLY reason we haven't already walked away. Oh, and she is 12 years old.
 

sluggers

Super Moderator
Staff member
May 26, 2008
7,132
113
Dallas, Texas
Tell the coach, "Please don't coach my DD's pitching technique. If you want to help her on pitch calling, knock yourself out. If she performs well, play her. If she doesn't, don't."
 
Sep 29, 2014
2,421
113
Thanks for all the replies. Here's the deal. She already plays for a travel team that we love but this team is the middle school team here in the county. So, it's the first time playing with the girls she will be playing with in HS. That's the ONLY reason we haven't already walked away. Oh, and she is 12 years old.

Assuming that means its just for a couple months...context changes everything. Just ride it out on the school team if she pitches fine, if not fine just remind her to tell coach she has a private pitching coach for mechanics, and if she continues to produce she can pitch if not then someone else can pitch, hopefully she is a good stick and has a secondary position she can play when not pitching she should be fine.
 

marriard

Not lost - just no idea where I am
Oct 2, 2011
4,312
113
Florida
Thanks for all the replies. Here's the deal. She already plays for a travel team that we love but this team is the middle school team here in the county. So, it's the first time playing with the girls she will be playing with in HS. That's the ONLY reason we haven't already walked away. Oh, and she is 12 years old.

Is this the middle school team or a travel team? It wasn't clear.

if it is the middle school team, then she probably will just have to live with it for the season, especially of there is a link to the high school team. If you nod, and then outperform the others, only the most stubborn coach will insist on their way. But on a school team it has to be up to the player to find a way to work with the coach - you absolutely do NOT want to be that parent when you have another 6 years+ you have to deal with this group in school ball. You can't just go to another team.

(If there is no link to the high school team - you may not want to play middle school - but you know your scenario better than we do)
 

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