Pitch Calling - Important?

[GunnerShotgun]

Exactly. I was about to post something very similar. Now sure why we've gotten off track with this "exclusive" language.

It came from your OP where you questioned the coach calling pitches exclusively and the further discussion of having the pitcher or catcher calling the games.

My observation is that in travel ball this isn't the case on most (good) teams where it is a collaborative effort. As someone pointed out when coaches are getting paid (college, high school) they do tend to go solo for different reasons (getting paid, more credible data available, etc.)

The heart of this discussion should be what is pitch calling and how do you call an effective game. The charts, eye-ball test, and "softball IQ" points muddy the waters.

 

[ArmyStrong]

I can't recall the last time I saw a pitcher call her own game exclusively.

I also can't recall the last time I saw a catcher call a whole game exclusively. I have seen it before though but it is rare. Sometimes you see this in blowouts or the coach gets ejected/distracted...

Sorry for getting to the thread late, but IME most pitchers and catchers don't want to call pitches. Every once in a while they'll ask for a certain pitch, but not the whole game. They don't want to be that player that made the wrong call. No matter how much we've tried to develop our pitchers/catchers to call pitches, and no matter how good they may be at it, they prefer not to. Most give it a go for one inning and then feel the pressure.

I'd love to have a catcher willing to call pitches for the entire inning/game/tournament.

 

[Hillhouse]

So far, early into my college coaching "career" I have done both in the fall games. BUT, with a HEAVY dose of how we are going to pitch slappers, hitters up in the box, back in the box, etc. etc. LOTS of conversations on the game strategy before, DURING, and after the game. I have found that the catchers can EASILY be taught to do the game plan but sometimes need gentle reminders about the need to use certain pitches, not fall into patterns, etc.

At the end of the day, I want the catchers to call it. They see what's working, they see the ball best, they know the ump's zone best, etc. But, I will immediately take over if I see bad execution: of the game plan or just simply ridiculous calls being made.

Bill

 

[Tatonka]

It came from your OP where you questioned the coach calling pitches exclusively and the further discussion of having the pitcher or catcher calling the games.

My observation is that in travel ball this isn't the case on most (good) teams where it is a collaborative effort. As someone pointed out when coaches are getting paid (college, high school) they do tend to go solo for different reasons (getting paid, more credible data available, etc.)

The heart of this discussion should be what is pitch calling and how do you call an effective game. The charts, eye-ball test, and "softball IQ" points muddy the waters.

Never used the word "exclusive" in my OP. My observation is that on many teams it is NOT as collaborative of an effort as it seems like it should be given the valuable input that a catcher/pitcher (who is trained to know what to look for) can provide. For further clarification I don't believe I ever said a Pitcher or a Catcher should be exclusively calling a game. Not sure how "softball IQ" would muddy the water of any discussion surrounding this topic?

 

[Rick M]

Why bother teaching a pitcher or a catcher anything about calling a game? Seriously, help me understand this...
It seems like the current trend is to have a coach call everything from a bucket near the dugout.

I think the OP was more of a question about why should anyone take the time to teach pitch calling if it never happens because the coach is always the one making the calls.

She's learned about pitch selection as a hitter, from what she's learned as a pitcher. Watch her accurately predict a change up - it's a beautiful thing when she's at bat.

This is where the Softball IQ comes into play in relation to the original question. It's always a good thing to have a smart player who understands what's going on out there. My DD may never play third base, but it certainly makes her a better shortstop to understand what the third baseman is going to do on a given play.

So yes, teach your girls about calling pitches even if they never have a chance (or even want the chance) to do so. Understanding the chess match during an at-bat is what distinguishes those who love the game from those who find it boring.

 

[grcsftbll]

I think the OP was more of a question about why should anyone take the time to teach pitch calling if it never happens because the coach is always the one making the calls.



This is where the Softball IQ comes into play in relation to the original question. It's always a good thing to have a smart player who understands what's going on out there. My DD may never play third base, but it certainly makes her a better shortstop to understand what the third baseman is going to do on a given play.

So yes, teach your girls about calling pitches even if they never have a chance (or even want the chance) to do so. Understanding the chess match during an at-bat is what distinguishes those who love the game from those who find it boring.

That was my point. Even if they never get to call a game, the knowledge is useful (and, IMO, interesting).

 

[sluggers]

So yes, teach your girls about calling pitches even if they never have a chance (or even want the chance) to do so. Understanding the chess match during an at-bat is what distinguishes those who love the game from those who find it boring.

Oh yeah...you can really learn something well by listening to someone pontificate about it.

It is friggin' softball game, for crying out loud. This isn't brain surgery.

Some kid is pitching in a meaningless pool game in Bush League, Illinois, and the coach won't give his pitcher and the catcher, usually the best two players on the field, control.

More patriarchy...men can't give up control to girls.

 

[FP26]

Oh yeah...you can really learn something well by listening to someone pontificate about it.

It is friggin' softball game, for crying out loud. This isn't brain surgery.

Some kid is pitching in a meaningless pool game in Bush League, Illinois, and the coach won't give his pitcher and the catcher, usually the best two players on the field, control.

More patriarchy...men can't give up control to girls.

Interesting point... And I wonder how it varies in baseball. I don't have a son, but I do have a close friend with a son that is a teener league catcher. His coach allows him to call his games. But he already knows that once he gets to high school, the pitches are called by one of the coaches. I wonder if there is a higher percentage of baseball catchers that call the pitches.

 

[CNJ-Catcher06]

Oh yeah...you can really learn something well by listening to someone pontificate about it.

Pontificating is what this site is all about. And yes, I like to think that I’ve learned a lot from it. Thanks to the pontificators out there for sharing your knowledge and experiences.



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[Gtrips07]

How is it that in MLB a catcher can call a game, and also in the Minors, but a catcher cannot in softball? I'd be interested if Mr. Hillhouse asked Mr. Coach Klein what to throw when he was active.

Further, Terry Bradshaw called his own plays in the NFL without the help of a coach.

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