- Jan 31, 2011
- 458
- 43
I think its reasonable to have a kid get warm before the game, and then get loose the inning before she goes in as a relief. Not sure it makes sense for 4 pitchers to warm up before a game because that means 8 kids are dedicated to it about 20-30 minutes prior to a game.
1) I think having 2 pitchers warm up before every game makes sense and then let the non-starter know that "I plan to put you in at some point if needed, so make sure you're ready." A coach should have a plan in his/her head about "when" that relief will likely go in.
2) Say the starter falls apart in the first couple of innings, then the relief pitcher should be ready from the pre-game warm up.
3) Say the starter goes past those 3 innings, then I would look to the reliver and say I need you to throw a little to get loose. Many times, I am looking for the starter to get a couple times through the line-up and make the switch when you know the batters have made the adjustment. Communicate to the relief pitcher.
4) Communicate with the pitchers before the game and let them know your plan.
5) This is also a great area to delegate to the AC to make sure the relief pitcher is ready to go in both physically and mentally.
This whole thing should be a learning experience for the kids. There are many variations & I'm sure every coach has blown this at least once. But, singling out a kid after a game in front of the team is bad coaching, IMHO. If he told your DD to get warm during the game and she didn't, then that is on her. But hitting up a kid cold when a game is falling apart is not cool.
1) I think having 2 pitchers warm up before every game makes sense and then let the non-starter know that "I plan to put you in at some point if needed, so make sure you're ready." A coach should have a plan in his/her head about "when" that relief will likely go in.
2) Say the starter falls apart in the first couple of innings, then the relief pitcher should be ready from the pre-game warm up.
3) Say the starter goes past those 3 innings, then I would look to the reliver and say I need you to throw a little to get loose. Many times, I am looking for the starter to get a couple times through the line-up and make the switch when you know the batters have made the adjustment. Communicate to the relief pitcher.
4) Communicate with the pitchers before the game and let them know your plan.
5) This is also a great area to delegate to the AC to make sure the relief pitcher is ready to go in both physically and mentally.
This whole thing should be a learning experience for the kids. There are many variations & I'm sure every coach has blown this at least once. But, singling out a kid after a game in front of the team is bad coaching, IMHO. If he told your DD to get warm during the game and she didn't, then that is on her. But hitting up a kid cold when a game is falling apart is not cool.