Pitcher is only a pitcher

chinamigarden · Sep 26, 2017

The normal acceptable age is, whenever the pitcher can no longer hit for power or average against the current competition.

If your pitcher can rake, she stays in the game as a first baseman or thirdbase...

WHEREAMI · Sep 26, 2017

My DD is 12, but the only pitcher for her JV, and she may have to play outfield for the varsity. That's why I was seeing what ideas or what to expect. I would rather her not play varsity, maybe just be a sub, in case someone got hurt. The varsity only has two pitchers , and they are both 9th graders. Travel ball she plays 3rd and pitch. Hits good, a lot better than some high school girls on the team. Fields better than most also.

BobInMadison · Sep 26, 2017

.................................

Classof2020 · Sep 27, 2017

marriard said:
It is starting to happen to my DD in HS & 16U and it wasn't how I thought it would happen.

I am finding it is because pitching is taking a HUGE amount of energy out of her and as a quality pitcher the team is relying on, they need and want all her energy available for pitching. As she plays at a higher and higher level there is fewer and fewer bad teams and fewer and fewer easy outs and every pitch is thrown with more energy than at younger ages. It takes a huge amount of energy to throw around 80-100 pitches against quality A/Elite travel batters 3-4 times per weekend.

She gets to be in the batting line up as DP when not pitching, but on a long hot day she is often thrilled not to get out and play the field and she is quite content to let faster girls run for her.

We are in a very similar boat. DD has always enjoyed all aspects of playing and didn't want to pitch only. Although we don't play against elite teams even at B and open level competition for 16U this year its gotten more demanding and most of the girls drop out that are less serious and the games get tougher. On hot days pitching an entire game, you don't mind sitting a few innings of the next game. And knowing you might go in to close at any time also makes you appreciate a breather. She hates having a pinch runner because she is the pitcher though - but knows that they just want to protect her. So I don't think overall she minds as much as she thought she would making this transition as her role as a pitcher has become so much more important as her skill increases.

Tatonka · Sep 28, 2017

Currently an unacceptable prospect for my pitching, hitting, fielding, speedster DD. ;-)

canyonjoe · Sep 28, 2017

We always sit our pitchers the game before they are pitching. A couple are good hitters so they'll still hit. I can't remember having a pitcher on any team that was really good at any position but I'm sure it happens. A couple of them are adequate at 1B but still not nearly as good as our best ones.

quincy · Sep 28, 2017

DD is exhausted after pitching full game, dugout looks good to her.

1st or OF comment was interesting to me, at least on our Team, OFs work thier butt off. She would rather rest at any IF position.

canyonjoe · Sep 28, 2017

quincy said:
DD is exhausted after pitching full game, dugout looks good to her.

1st or OF comment was interesting to me, at least on our Team, OFs work thier butt off. She would rather rest at any IF position.

Agreed, DD would rather Catch 3 games than play 3 in OF because even though catching is hot you get beat up you don't have to run all the time.

sluggers · Sep 29, 2017

My DD was a very good pitcher, and a good batter. In my DD's freshman year fall ball at a juco, she doubled. As she was rounding 2nd, the SS tripped her. That was her last at-bat in college.

It was a risk-benefit analysis for the coaches. They decided the risk of injury was too great.

Pitcher is only a pitcher

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