Making a Point -or- A Bit Harsh?

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LetsPlayTwo

LetsPlayTwo
Jul 4, 2014
24
0
Ohio
Here is the background - Impromptu make-up non-conference HS Varsity game yesterday. Lots of rainouts in the early part of season and I guess the two coaches managed to organize the game to take advantage of nice weather. One relatively high quality organization (typically .800+winning%). DD school is usually a .500 team.Next-door school district rivalry. The underdogs had some momentum building so competition level was relatively high, score tied, middle inning. Batter has 3-0 count, ignores or misses the take sign and swings at ball 4. Coach calls time, pulls her out during at-bat and calls for a pinch hitter who assumes the 3-1 count, fouls one off to make it 3-2, then takes ball 4. The benched girl doesn't get much playing time so probably didn't have a lot of real game experience with sign reading - although she has enough experience to know what call to expect at 3-0 when you need base runners. Was it harsh to pull her during her at-bat vs. taking her out next time up or did coach send a big-time message to the rest of the team to not. miss. the. signs? I've been involved in B level TB for awhile and haven't seen this move, although have benched defensive players that have made repeated basic errors but not until the next inning.
 
Mar 14, 2017
453
43
Michigan
I would have let her complete the AB, unless I thought it was in defiance. If she knew she had the take and swung away I might have pulled her. I don't know the girl- is she a prima donna who needs to be set straight? Could she influence the rest of the team to ignore my signals? Then she may need a message sent. My coaching mentor always said, "Butt on bench sends message to brain."

If she was a bonehead or inexperienced I would call time out to review the signs and make sure she understood why we needed a base runner at that time.
 
Jun 12, 2015
3,848
83
That 3/0 count pitch is usually so pretty. I'd be annoyed at having to take it too ;) But yeah, if she did it intentionally I can see why he'd have pulled her. Gotta listen to your coach. If it was an accident/space cadet moment I'd have gotten onto her but let her finish the AB if I were the coach (I'm not a coach at all so my opinion doesn't mean much, haha). I suppose, though, at some point you have to expect these girls to not miss signs. Our girls get in trouble for missing them in 10U. By HS I'd think looking for the sign should be second nature.
 
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
My high school coach did not put up with missing signals. You missed one you were on the bench instantly, did not matter if you were at bat, on base etc. And, our coach completely changed signals every game.
 

Cannonball

Ex "Expert"
Feb 25, 2009
4,854
113
I had a baserunner miss 4 straight steal signs. So, I walk over to the other team's dugout and tell them I am about to yell at this young lady that she is going to steal and so, if they want, pitch out. The coach says to me that he has girls assigned to watch me and that not one of them saw me give a sign. I told him I am so good at giving signs, I even miss them sometimes. LOL I didn't get a chance to yell to the runner that she was running since the hitter hit the ball on the next pitch. I did not pull the runner but did talk to her. I'd say that today in a DH, we missed 10 signs. Then again, we are not world beaters. We did have an outstanding day. In fact, too good as I think at least 2 of my players will be varsity from now on. LOL
 
Last edited:
Jun 6, 2016
2,714
113
Chicago
I think we need more information here.

If the hitter just missed a single sign, probably an overreaction (unless this girl always misses signs and has been warned about it). Maybe the coach has a standing "Don't swing on 3-0" policy, in which case, it's basically like violating a team rule (even if it's a dumb rule!).

It would take a lot for me to pull a hitter in the middle of an at bat, but then I've been told more than once I'm too nice to the players.
 
Jun 1, 2015
500
43
Maybe the coach has a standing "Don't swing on 3-0" policy, in which case, it's basically like violating a team rule (even if it's a dumb rule!).

I've been the same way (about the don't swing on 3-0 idea), but I'm coming around to it with experiences. However, as a teacher and coach, I look at knowing signals like studying for an assignment in school - you need to be aware to apply them correctly. Failure to do so affects your grades, affects the team's production, etc. I don't think pulling a batter mid-at bat does anything positive for that batter, whereas a quick meeting after the inning is over could do the same thing (or after the game, either/or, if it's a more serious/consistent issue).
 

Greenmonsters

Wannabe Duck Boat Owner
Feb 21, 2009
6,168
38
New England
Let's assume that the hitter saw the take sign and ignored it, which would be comparable to running through a stop sign at third. What then?
 
Apr 12, 2016
316
28
Minnesota
Let's assume that the hitter saw the take sign and ignored it, which would be comparable to running through a stop sign at third. What then?
You run through a stop sign at your own risk. If you get thrown out you hit the pine, if you score a run the coach shakes their head and smiles...

I think the same applies. If you get a base hit on the 3-0 you are good but if you swing and miss or foul off a ball I could see some time on the pine. Both my girls played for a coach who benched players for missing signs. They don't miss signs.

Sent from my LG-H820 using Tapatalk
 
Nov 29, 2009
2,975
83
My DD played for a program that would pull a player mid at bat if they screwed up badly. After the team saw that happen they made sure the picked up every sign. Sometimes it takes a over-the-top move to get the entire team's attention. Simply telling them they missed a sign is like the adults in a Charlie Brown cartoon. All they hear is blah.. blah... mhupp... mhupp... Blah.. Getting their backside put on the bench makes it crystal clear inattention will not be tolerated. No to mention. It's embarrassing.

Many years ago had a 10U RF fall asleep on a throw that got passed the 1st baseman. She standing out in RF being a spectator for so long the ball was at the fence by the time she even moved for the ball. I pulled her right after that play and spoke to her without yelling across the field. A parent from the other team was sitting next to her dad and commented there was no way they would let a coach do that to their DD. The dad told him it was his daughter who got yanked and he was glad I did it. We never had another RF fall asleep again all season.
 

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