Weather to play competitive vs rec

[uncdrew]

Note: Had to add... PLUS..you know how fricken small the damn strike zone is for some girls that are 6,7 and 8!??

And they usually have ONE swing pattern/level. They do NOT adjust, they swing the same dang swing every time. So, what I would do as the season progressed is learn where they swing and try to pitch it at that level. lol

I literally had a "scouting report" note in my clipboard on where each girl liked to swing. (Sad, but true) We would work all season on hitting different pitches on different planes/levels but, man many just never adjusted all season.

But, what I did learn very quickly that many coaches in coach pitch don't realize, was you gotta throw FLAT and at a decent speed/pace. If you try to "lob" the ball in with a big loop thinking that will help, that is the last thing you want to do. Keep the pitch flat as possible from 30ft and with a little speed to it and they would hit it much easier.

Of course, when you do that, sometimes then there is the problem of the 7yr old catcher getting DRILLED in the facemask/helmet because she can't even catch yet. LOL Good times!

So true. I watch so many people slow down the pitch when a girl can't hit coach pitch. Wrong... pitch it with enough velocity to stay flat, and pitch to their swing.

 

[Greatdaytobeawildcat]

I have umped some coach pitch rec games around here. In their house rules, it's after the 1st walk, then coach comes in after 4 balls, and assumes the strikes. Leads to some bizarro strategies like having worst hitter bat leadoff (to get the walk, which is almost automatic unless the poor thing swings).

Have also seen a couple of coaches get drilled by line drives, especially if they creep in from the pitcher's plate. Double insult of getting hit, and having me call dead ball, single on what probably would have been a "home run".

 

[newnin]

I have umped some coach pitch rec games around here. In their house rules, it's after the 1st walk, then coach comes in after 4 balls, and assumes the strikes. Leads to some bizarro strategies like having worst hitter bat leadoff (to get the walk, which is almost automatic unless the poor thing swings).

Have also seen a couple of coaches get drilled by line drives, especially if they creep in from the pitcher's plate. Double insult of getting hit, and having me call dead ball, single on what probably would have been a "home run".

Interesting. In our area, the coach getting hit is a live ball. Or was the dead ball for the coach being off of the pitching rubber?

 

[Greatdaytobeawildcat]

Interesting. In our area, the coach getting hit is a live ball. Or was the dead ball for the coach being off of the pitching rubber?

I mean, I'm not aware of any sanctioned official rules for 8u-10U move-along coach pitch softball (though i'm guessing it's out there somewhere). It's just their league rule. Coach doesn't have to be on plate (most usually are a few steps in from 35 ft). I'd probably prefer live ball because you increase the chance of there actually being a recorded out in an inning other than a K.

 

[Quigs10]

Interesting. In our area, the coach getting hit is a live ball. Or was the dead ball for the coach being off of the pitching rubber?

Our 8u local rule was if the coach got hit it was an out. Which really sucked and made me have to pull quite a few "Matrix-like" maneuvers out there to avoid getting nailed.

But, ummm yeah, there were a couple times where I got hit in the "juevos rancheros" as my family calls em. Let's just say 7 and 8 yr old girls think a grown man writhing in sheer pain and agony on the dirt curled up in a ball is the epitome of all that is funny and humorous !!

 

[Lightning]

But, ummm yeah, there were a couple times where I got hit in the "juevos rancheros" as my family calls em. Let's just say 7 and 8 yr old girls think a grown man writhing in sheer pain and agony on the dirt curled up in a ball is the epitome of all that is funny and humorous !!

Over the years, DD has taken her share of coaches out. (Why are there coaches who insist on doing front toss without a screen?) I don't think she'll ever stop finding it humorous.

 

[TLUD]

Been there, done THAT!! My DD (6yrs old at the time) didn't cry, she just started yelling at me all the way from the batters box to the dugout in front of everyone. Oh, they ALL thought it was HILARIOUS!!

As soon as it left my hand...I thought.... Ahhh $#^%! Doinked her right in the hip. She tried to swing at it but..... yeah...well it wasn't funny at the time. lol

Whenever the 8U coach would doink one of the girls a few of us dads would yell out “charge the mound” most umps and coaches appreciated it, the girls had no clue what we were talking about

 

[MNDad]

WHAT?
Not allowed? Where Was this?

Minnesota. Until recently 12U travel teams weren’t allowed. We still don’t have 10U travel here. The leaders of the local sanctions were corrupt as hell and travel ball threatened their revenue stream from rec teams.

 

[uncdrew]

Over the years, DD has taken her share of coaches out. (Why are there coaches who insist on doing front toss without a screen?) I don't think she'll ever stop finding it humorous.

Even in 10U I refused to pitch without a screen. I've been beaned enough, thank you very much.

My 14U daughter managed to scream a lazer at me last week that went right through the notch in the screen and hit my knee square on the bone. Took a week to feel normal. That really hurt. And last night she hit one that would have sent me to the ER (or killed me). I instinctively got my glove up but I knew it was too late. Screen saved me from taking one to the eyeball.

 

[HunterMO]

Even in 10U I refused to pitch without a screen. I've been beaned enough, thank you very much.

My 14U daughter managed to scream a lazer at me last week that went right through the notch in the screen and hit my knee square on the bone. Took a week to feel normal. That really hurt. And last night she hit one that would have sent me to the ER (or killed me). I instinctively got my glove up but I knew it was too late. Screen saved me from taking one to the eyeball.

I will live pitch DD but I’m out at 35 - 40ft. If I’m any closer and soft tossing it’s with a screen. She’s hit back far too many that would put me down.


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