I coach a 10u rec team. In the next few months we'll revisit rules for the 2018 season. Historically we do a "modified coach pitch" which means pitchers cannot walk batters. If the pitcher throws four balls before the batter strikes out or puts the ball in play, then the coach comes in (count stays the same) to pitch to his own player.
I've seen mention of similar pitching rules in this forum so I know it's not unheard of. But I also get the sense other 10u leagues are 100% player pitch.
Going into next season we're considering removing the coach pitch element. I'm torn. In our league, 10u is the first level of ANY form of player pitch. If we want to develop new pitchers then modified coach pitch can be good. I think coaches will be much less likely to put in a novice pitcher if the game is just going to become a walk-fest.
On the other hand, on the baseball side of our league the boys are 100% player pitch at 10u. That has always kind of annoyed me, like we have to 'baby' our girls until they get to 12u. I've never had it explained to me. Perhaps baseball pitching comes easier since kids start throwing baseballs overhand from a young age vs. girls who may not be introduced to fastpitch pitching until 8 or 9 years old.
So my question for you all is: for rec 10u, what is your preference for pitching? 100% player pitch or some element of coach pitch?
Thank you!
I've seen mention of similar pitching rules in this forum so I know it's not unheard of. But I also get the sense other 10u leagues are 100% player pitch.
Going into next season we're considering removing the coach pitch element. I'm torn. In our league, 10u is the first level of ANY form of player pitch. If we want to develop new pitchers then modified coach pitch can be good. I think coaches will be much less likely to put in a novice pitcher if the game is just going to become a walk-fest.
On the other hand, on the baseball side of our league the boys are 100% player pitch at 10u. That has always kind of annoyed me, like we have to 'baby' our girls until they get to 12u. I've never had it explained to me. Perhaps baseball pitching comes easier since kids start throwing baseballs overhand from a young age vs. girls who may not be introduced to fastpitch pitching until 8 or 9 years old.
So my question for you all is: for rec 10u, what is your preference for pitching? 100% player pitch or some element of coach pitch?
Thank you!