Gold coach not letting pitchers hit

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Jun 27, 2011
5,089
0
North Carolina
Small sample, but I looked up the ace pitchers on the final Top 10 from 2013.

Fwiw - Half were in the batting lineup most of the time. Half rarely hit.

Aces who hit -

Oklahoma – Keilani Ricketts (122 AB, .369, 12 HR)
Alabama – Jackie Traina (117 AB, .333, 13 HR)
Washington – Kaitlin Ingelsby (178 AB, .354, team-leading 12 HR)
Nebraska – Tatum Edwards (140 AB, .286, 11 HR)
Michigan – Sara Driesenga (134 AB, .246)

Aces who didn't hit -

Tennessee – Ivy Renfroe (1 at-bat)
Florida – Hannah Rogers (2 at-bats; #2 pitcher Hager batted .319 w/ 18 HR)
Arizona State – Dallas Escobedo (Did not bat)
Oregon – Jessica Moore (34 AB, .206)
Texas – Blaire Luna (Can’t find, but don’t think she hit)
 
Apr 14, 2011
87
0
Blue, Oklahoma
Reasons for not batting a pitcher are very apparent. I've heard many times from coaches that pitchers will take bad at bats to the circle. That is probably true but let's face it hitting is best part of playing softball and take it from a dad that has spent countless hours sitting on a bucket catching my DD Pitching is a lot of work and at some point they think it's a job to pitch. They need to feel like they are part of every aspect of the game and not limited to just a position player. Nobody likes to play field and not bat.
DD is only a freshman and is a good pitcher and hitter and it's not right in my opinion for a coach to take away a part of her game.
 
Dec 20, 2012
1,085
0
I have not read the entire post so if this has been addressed, sorry. DD being a solid stick does not constitute that she will hit at the next level. So her not hitting could be the judgment of the HC. Second, there are only so many chances for some kids to be seen and an at bat may be their only chance. Knowing your daughter was brought in to throw it sounds as if she got her fair share of exposure and you shouldn't be too upset. That being said, there are plenty of opportunities for everyone to get some at bats at the McDonald. With practice games and all, there could have been a couple of chances to make it to the plate.

Curious if ya'll played at the Scrap Yard and what you thought about it?
 
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Apr 14, 2011
87
0
Blue, Oklahoma
We played at Collins Park but I've heard Scrap Yards is very nice. I'm not having this discussion to pump up my daughter or make her sound like she hasn't been given a chance to show colleges her skills. Our gold coach put together a futures team and took them to play at McDonald. The team was a mixture of gold and 16u players. Daughter received a lot of looks at the mound and I'm very thankful for that. I started this post to simply ask if it's the norm for pitchers to not bat. We played 5 games at McDonald and DD never batted one time and it made her feel like she was not good enough. I'm not saying DD is a world beater by no means but if she is concerned about it then so am I. DD nor myself will not ever question a coach for decisions that are made on field, but that does not mean we understand or agree with it.
 
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Greenmonsters

Wannabe Duck Boat Owner
Feb 21, 2009
6,168
38
New England
Pitchers are the best athletes on many travel and HS teams, often because they are the tallest and most fit. I would never take the bat away from them. It allows them relief from the pressure of pitching and gives them a chance to help offensively if their pitching is not going well. They treat it like icing on the cake, even if they K out, but they are again the best players.

Are you serious or just looking to stir thing up here?
 
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Greenmonsters

Wannabe Duck Boat Owner
Feb 21, 2009
6,168
38
New England
Greenie, why so irritated, you have the Red Sox, champs of the world. What is your problem? What I wrote is the opinion of many people, not original at all. Certainly a banal opinion if anything. And you post this crap next to a picture of your daughter I presume. What a role model you are for your post, perhaps for not making any sense.

I don't get it.

Sorry OILF, I'll plead to cranky (and edited my post), but I don't concur with your hypothesis, explanation, or logic. There's only so much time to practice - I'd rather have a great pitcher/weak hitter than an OK pitcher/OK hitter anyday.
 
Dec 12, 2012
1,668
0
On the bucket
Oklahoma – Keilani Ricketts (122 AB, .369, 12 HR)
Alabama – Jackie Traina (117 AB, .333, 13 HR)
Washington – Kaitlin Ingelsby (178 AB, .354, team-leading 12 HR)
Nebraska – Tatum Edwards (140 AB, .286, 11 HR)
Michigan – Sara Driesenga (134 AB, .246)

Aces who didn't hit -

Tennessee – Ivy Renfroe (1 at-bat)
Florida – Hannah Rogers (2 at-bats; #2 pitcher Hager batted .319 w/ 18 HR)
Arizona State – Dallas Escobedo (Did not bat)
Oregon – Jessica Moore (34 AB, .206)
Texas – Blaire Luna (Can’t find, but don’t think she hit)

This ought to sum it up for everyone. Very simple.
1) If any player can hit the ball, then the coach will find a spot for them at the plate. Being a pitcher doesn't really matter.
2) If a player is an average (or less) hitter then other factors weigh in. Pitching would be one of those factors.
 
Dec 20, 2012
1,085
0
We played at Collins Park but I've heard Scrap Yards is very nice. I'm not having this discussion to pump up my daughter or make her sound like she hasn't been given a chance to show colleges her skills. Our gold coach put together a futures team and took them to play at McDonald. The team was a mixture of gold and 16u players. Daughter received a lot of looks at the mound and I'm very thankful for that. I started this post to simply ask if it's the norm for pitchers to not bat. We played 5 games at McDonald and DD never batted one time and it made her feel like she was not good enough. I'm not saying DD is a world beater by no means but if she is concerned about it then so am I. DD nor myself will not ever question a coach for decisions that are made on field, but that does not mean we understand or agree with it.

My dd rarely hits. She had a very strong bat. But once we realized she had the potential to let her pitching take her where she wanted to go the focus went to pitching alone. She may get an at bat occasionally but for the most part she just throws.
 
Nov 18, 2013
2,255
113
There's multiple things to consider. Your DD was called up to pitch and the coach has an obligation to get his other players in the game too. Also, You mentioned she's a solid hitter, but base running is another consideration. Consider it an honor that she was asked to pitch instead of a slight. If your DD is a strong hitter he'll likely allow her to hit when she moves up to that level.

I disagree with the idea tall pitchers are the most athletic. Perhaps at 10U, but once they get into their teens catchers and shortstops are usually far more agile and athletic.
 
Apr 14, 2011
87
0
Blue, Oklahoma
I'm not taking the opportunity that DD was given to play with gold team for granted. I've already stated it was an honor to play but we don't like the fact that he does not let his pitchers bat at all. I wouldn't say my DD is the most athletic and not sure you can really label any position on the field as the spot where most athletic players play. I'm attaching a link to a video showing some of the highlights from DD 2013 season.

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/BHQS6YwJScA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
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