Coach telling players to "take a hit"!

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Sep 12, 2013
3
0
My daughter made the Varsity team at her Jr High (first time ever playing softball). Last night she got hit in the arm by a pitch. I went to see how she was and she told me that the Coach told her to get hit by the pitch and get on base! What?? Later in the game he yelled to the girls "I don’t want to see any of you jump out of the box! You stay there and take the hit and get on base!" Ok... I want to know if this is "Common" "Acceptable" coaching strategy or is our coach out of line. My daughters arm is bad. I just don’t see how this is right.
Thanks for any advise!
 
Jun 24, 2013
1,059
36
I think it is out of line.

DD is also playing Jr. High ball. I have talked to her coach once about SB in 2 years, we would have a long talk if they asked her to get hit by a pitch. Depending on how the conversation went with the AD too.
 
May 7, 2008
8,506
48
Tucson
We would have to be there. How fast was the pitcher throwing? I for one would not want players jumping out of the box, either. But, the coach may have crossed the line on his directions.

If I was batting and a ball was going to hit me in the rump, yes, I let it hit me.
 
Sep 12, 2013
3
0
The threads on the ball left a deep imprint on her arm just above her elbow so the pitch was fast but I have seen a couple girls pitch faster. He gets so angry during every game. Short tempered individual. Not a very positive coach. His way of coaching is to yell, curse and scare them into playing hard. He walked out of the dugout once yelling and slammed the gate. Looks at me and says "THAT should get them going!!". Im thinking that had the opposite affect. He said they were talking about "girl" things and not concentrating on the game they were about to play. They are 12 and 13 yr old girls... I dont know. I just dont want him to ruin softball for my daughter. She enjoys playing and I tell her to listen to him when he is coaching her but ignore the rants.
 
Jun 1, 2013
847
18
Wow, he tells her to get hit by an inside pitch so maybe he can get a baserunner? Unbelievable. Not near as bad as my dd's coach, he wants them to run full speed and then throw their bodies down and skid to the base. Sometimes it leaves a raspberry, sometimes it don't. I saw a girl do this same kind of thing the other day and she broke her ankle. Their should be some type of safety organization to monitor this stuff.
 

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Aug 30, 2011
54
0
Chicago Suburbs
Would it be rude to ask the Coach to step up to the plate and take a 55mph pitch to any part of his body? He should be teaching proper technique when a pitch is coming at the batter, not yelling about taking the pitch...safety first. My DD (pitcher) got hit in the thigh Sunday, looked right at me and said, "so that's what it feels like". Since I catch her, I've been hit everywhere (yes, even a place that a man should not be hit) and she knows the power of a pitcher first hand. I have no problem with players getting out of the way just as long as they don't jump out of the way of a ball near the plate.

ps. It sounds like the coach is an *ss-hat
 
Aug 3, 2013
108
0
I would be talking to the coach....Sounds like he needs to teach kids how to hit, bunt, or take a walk....
 
Aug 29, 2011
2,581
83
NorCal
Taking one for the team in BB or SB is as old as the game. Again I wouldn't advertise it and wouldn't really encourage it myself and I certainly wouldn't instruct a girl to get hit. But in some cases there are times a little bruise is worth getting on base. I know I leaned into a few (or didn't try too hard to get out of the way) in my playing days. Usually when I was down 0-2 in the count or we were in a 1 run or tie game later in the game.

Though I think this is a skill you can teach some girls on the team. Not everyone is willing to lean into a 50+ or 60+ mph FB just to get on base.
 
May 7, 2008
8,506
48
Tucson
Your coach may well be out of line. No cursing at all, is ever acceptable. I would remove my DD, if the athletic director would not step in.

On the other hand, tell your DD, that I said to wear that bruise with pride. (But, now she needs hitting lessons, so that she isn't jumping out on every pitch.)
 
Jul 28, 2008
1,088
0
Rulebook says you must make an attempt to avoid the pitch. If a player chooses to take the hit, it's on them. The coach should not dictate that, imho.
 

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