To Pitch and only play when you pitch, or play a position and play every game?

[obbay]

DW is concerned that going forward (i.e., High School), DD will be labeled a pitcher and will get to play no other position and as such, will only get to play when she is pitching. In HS that means riding the pine while upperclassmen Pitchers are used. I have no objection to better pitchers pitching, my question is when you get a kid who is one of the best on the leftside of the diamond AND one of the best base runners out there (High OBP as well) would she be penalized because she's also one of the best Pitchers?

I've seen it with a couple of girls in front of her where they pitch, but they are facile at other positions as well, but they either only get to pitch and do nothing else or they never get to pitch and only do something else.

 

[CycloneSoftball22]

All depends if you can hit. If a kid can truly hit in HS , then they will be on the field

 

[sluggers]

Generally agree with Cyclone. IMHO, it is a little unrealistic to think she'll play SS or 3B "part time".

A coach to take one of the key positions (C, 3B, SS, CF) and have two girls split time. If a coach did, then there would always be a part-timer at a critical position. Your could, however, play RF, LF, 1B and maybe 2B part time.

 

[obbay]

Thanks but as far as hitting -Maybe in most, but not in our High School.

Sluggers- good point and you are absolutely right. I was thinking along those lines but was having trouble accepting it.

 

[GOINGDEEP]

my question is when you get a kid who is one of the best on the leftside of the diamond AND one of the best base runners out there (High OBP as well) would she be penalized because she's also one of the best Pitchers?

If she is a good base runner, she should get plenty of time as a courtesy or pinch runner. Not sure what you mean about "penalized" for being a good pitcher?

My DD was designated hitter for 4 years on varsity, when she didn't pitch or play a position. The bat is the fastest way to get play time.

Her field position playtime for those 4 years, when she was in the defensive lineup
80% V pitcher
10% V first base
10% V outfield
But 100% of her 4 years she was in the batting order, that's how important learning to hit helps

Maybe I'm missing your implications, but are you suggesting your DD play a position every game when she is not in the circle? I think this a a "hump" that parents have difficulty getting over coming from travelball. TB rosters are usually half the size of HS rosters, which means almost every TB player is playing a position 90% of the time. Good HS programs don't do a lot of swapping around of the defense because of pitcher rotations.

 

[butcher-boy]

I agree with pretty much everything that was posted. Imho a good coach will also have a back up player for every position on the field which means #2 should get some game time as the season goes on. As every one knows you just one sprained ankle away from being the starter at any position you are working at. Also as your DD works her way up and possibly gets on a D1,CC, JC or whatever Pitchers spend so much time with pitching practice they will not have any time for another position. The skills she has as an infielder will not go unnoticed, there are some pitchers in TB and HS that are pretty good at pitching but struggle when it comes time to fielding their position.

 

[Cannonball]

We knew DD would pitch as a freshman. We had the same concerns as to whether she would play another position. However, starting SS went down and other pitcher was the backup SS. So, my dd played a lot of SS in middle school ball. Still, she had to hit and for most HS programs, I'd say that if you can swing it, you will play. DD was one of the top hitters in the school so she would have played somewhere if SS had not gone down.

 

[Jr10234]

It all depends on your coach!

In reality, for 1 to 2 games per day they should use the best player at the position in a given game, to win. Non-conference and blowouts are an exception. I have seen players sit without reason to the detriment of the team. Hopefully you ply for a coach who won't pigeon hole your DD.

 

[obbay]

Excellent responses, thank you!

Hopefully you ply for a coach who won't pigeon hole your DD.

If the same Varsity coach is there, he's a big "pigeon-holer". Real big on players and parents who kiss his @ss.

 

[Scl1991]

Excellent responses, thank you!

If the same Varsity coach is there, he's a big "pigeon-holer". Real big on players and parents who kiss his @ss.

Well, there you have it. High school ball can be notorious for politics, and certainly the level of talent can frequently not be up to par. The coaching isn't always the best.
For different reasons than yours, we learned a long time ago not to sweat things in school ball. It is what it is. It's probably not the forum for getting your daughter well trained in secondary positions anyway. Leave that to travel ball.
Let high school offer what it can for playing. Use it as practice for life lessons. Let DD enjoy the social side. Don't depend on it for the softball side of the experience. I think you'll find if you lower expectations for the school team, you might end up enjoying it more than you thought.