Catcher calling her own game in 12U

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Apr 26, 2019
222
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DD's team was at a tournament last weekend. Between games I was watching two other teams play.

The catcher for one of the teams, both C level teams (one should probably be B, not the one I'm referencing, but that is another story) was calling her own pitches for the pitcher. I paid attention and not once did she look towards her dugout for any type of sign for pitches and I didn't see anyone else signaling to her from the infield.

The catcher is easily that team's best player and could probably play for any team in the area from what I saw that game and the game where we played them. I'm not an expert, but it would seem she must have an exceptional understanding of the game to be calling her own game at that age. Is this common or am I just impressed because I haven't seen it before with this age of players?
 
Aug 3, 2019
156
28
I’d say that’s quite uncommon at 12u. If it was a C level team, my guess is the pitching is such that pitchers aren’t executing consistently regardless of what’s called and the catcher is unlikely to know how to effectively call a game.

Although, she probably can’t do worse than many of the coaches I see sitting on the bucket calling a game at 12u B level. It goes like this—Fastball outside in all situations except for a 1-2 or 0-2count, in which case the change up is called.
 
Oct 2, 2018
205
43
Georgia
I usually call pitches for a 12u team but told the catcher to go for it during the last pool game to call the pitches. She did awesome! The pace was much quicker and suited that pitcher better. She communicated well with the pitcher between innings. After the first inning I heard the pitcher tell the catcher, dont be afraid to call the change up on any count!
I will start letting catchers call more pool games and let them start thinking how to set batters up. It opened my eyes up a little more to letting the catchers be the leaders
 
Apr 26, 2019
222
43
I usually call pitches for a 12u team but told the catcher to go for it during the last pool game to call the pitches. She did awesome! The pace was much quicker and suited that pitcher better. She communicated well with the pitcher between innings. After the first inning I heard the pitcher tell the catcher, dont be afraid to call the change up on any count!
I will start letting catchers call more pool games and let them start thinking how to set batters up. It opened my eyes up a little more to letting the catchers be the leaders

That's pretty cool. The game where I saw it was during bracket play. Her coach must have good confidence in her.
 
Aug 3, 2019
49
18
Both our #1 and #2 catchers call our games, we are a 12u B level team. Our #1 started calling in first year 12u. Our #2 catcher started at the end of 2nd year 12u. I agree the pace of game is much better as they aren't looking around waiting for some coach to pick a pitch. Every once in a while that change up comes at non traditional times but I think it is great they have confidence in each other.
 
Jun 26, 2019
256
43
Let them have at it imho. If you have a 12 year old that you think might be capable of calling pitches, said kid WILL be capable of learning from it.
I have even pondered letting kids coach bases.
 
May 6, 2015
2,397
113
DD has called games before on a couple of her previous teams. she has done pretty well historically. she is working with current HC to give her a some innings at least to call to see how she does.

I have tried to install only one hard and fast rule in here. 1-2 or 0-2, absolutely nothing in the strike zone. if they are going to hit it, they can foul it off or make poor contact to put in play weakly.
 
Mar 7, 2016
242
28
DD's team was at a tournament last weekend. Between games I was watching two other teams play.

The catcher for one of the teams, both C level teams (one should probably be B, not the one I'm referencing, but that is another story) was calling her own pitches for the pitcher. I paid attention and not once did she look towards her dugout for any type of sign for pitches and I didn't see anyone else signaling to her from the infield.

The catcher is easily that team's best player and could probably play for any team in the area from what I saw that game and the game where we played them. I'm not an expert, but it would seem she must have an exceptional understanding of the game to be calling her own game at that age. Is this common or am I just impressed because I haven't seen it before with this age of players?

My AC's younger DD picked up for a team in Kansas last weekend. And told me this exact same story also 12UC where the catcher did the same thing. We coach a 14U B/A team and he was seriously impressed with this young lady. His DD is a pitcher and the kid can flat out pitch and hits her locations at 12U. I know this for a fact because she practices near us almost every time we are out and throws almost daily. This wasnt by any chance at fall state in Kansas last weekend?
 
Last edited:
Apr 26, 2019
222
43
My AC coaches younger DD picked up for a team in Kansas last weekend. And told me this exact same story also 12UC where the catcher did the same thing. We coach a 14U B/A team and he was seriously impressed with this young lady. His DD is a pitcher and the kid can flat out pitch and hits her locations at 12U. I know this for a fact because she practices near us almost every time we are out and throws almost daily. This wasnt by any chance at fall state in Kansas last weekend?

It was at a tournament in Virginia, but the player sounds of similar quality. I only saw the catcher in the game I watched and the game where we played her team but she could easily play on a B level team and likely at least contribute/be a role player for some of the area A level teams.
 

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