I freaking hate pitching

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Nov 8, 2018
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For me it should be up to her.
Honestly if she is that bad and keeps getting beat up or hit by hot balls she may just decide it’s not for her. Until then I would let her live her dream. To be a pitcher, it seems.
I appreciate everything you said. I’ve been there. It’s been frustrating. It’s taken a serious amount of time. But I’m her dad. Her support system and I let her know it’s her choice. BUT, she knows if she wants to be a good pitcher it takes a major commitment. And that’s on her.




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Nov 17, 2017
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1.5 years later, Lotta Money gone and I FEEL THE SAME.... LMAO

She's still small -entering 1st full year of 12u and she is Sloooooooooooooooooooooow

Barely reaching 40mp if that.

Still working Tincher, still throwing 3 days a week at least....Strength and conditioning and then Travel practice another 2 days.

So much time so much money....... I keep joking she'd be Derek Jeter if we spent all this time and money on fielding and hitting.

Pretty insane what you guys (WE) do.... lol


And A YEAR LATER..... The craziest most insane Year EVER (COVID).... LMAO
Funny thing is Softball kept us going - It's the one thing we never stopped.

She had an incredible Spring Tourney and Summer season pitching wise.
Relatively speaking of course - 12uB teams.

We wound up with IMO the Greatest Coach anyone can dream up or wish for after Summer ball. He's a local college coach and just runs practices as clinics and is just an all around Great Person, role model and wealth of knowledge. Type of guy who just Loves the game so much and stays on the field till the sun goes down..... Parents are like ummmm, we gotta get somewhere 5 hours in....lol

Now THIS is the thing - for my kid and where she was and where she is - This Coach is PRICELESS..... He calls games like an artist - Our old team just yelled out "Throw Strikes" etc etc.. This guy is painting masterpieces and is out there every step of the way holding her hand. Just amazing to see a Coach motivate and lead like this...... I sit back and take pics now!!!!

Coach who wants location and movement >>>>>> Speed!!!!!

Totally convinced her career is going to be maximized in this situation and could have easily been over at other teams - reason why that choice is so important.



Update - 90lbs throwing close to 45mph!!! :) Still great control and getting the Screwball ready for gameday!!!!!


Enjoying the Ride. Still wouldn't recommend it but, looking forward to 2nd year 12u.
 
Nov 17, 2017
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Also - Just to clarify.

I know ppl may take that the wrong way and of course we don't want our kid's "Hand Held"

Some will get it tho - At this age as a girl learning to PITCH over Throwing - a girl who hasn't already lit up 12u or 50mph++++ and thrown countless innings. For the girl who hasn't developed yet and is still finding her balance and strength.....Every outing and his pitch calling along with the whispers, will be in her head for the rest of her career whatever her role.

This coach is UNBELIEVABLE.. I just think he deserves to make a ton more money. LOL

Well anyone on Long Island looking for a great coach... PM me - was can still use another pitcher lol
 
Last edited:
Nov 20, 2020
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SW Missouri
Also - Just top clarify.

I know ppl may take that the wrong way and of course we don't want our kid's "Hand Held"

Some will get it tho - At this age as a girl learning to PITCH over Throwing - a girl who hasn't already lit up 12u or 50mph++++ and thrown countless innings. For the girl who hasn't developed yet and is still finding her balance and strength.....Every outing and his pitch calling along with the whispers, will be in her head for the rest of her career whatever her role.

This coach is UNBELIEVABLE.. I just think he deserves to make a ton more money. LOL

Well anyone on Long Island looking for a great coach... PM me - was can still use another pitcher lol

100% on this. It’s not hand holding.....it is positive support and development from a coach.

I’ve said it before. And I’ll say it again. Unless anyone has tried to learn to pitch AND pitched in a game.....they have no idea how hard it is. Physically and mentally. Learning to pitch starts out like learning to throw with your non-dominant hand. Then, when you’re somewhat proficient (but probably not confident), HC decides to put you in a live game where EVERYONE is focused on you. Have fun.

My DD has been fortunate. Her HC and teammates support her and our other pitcher immensely. He doesn’t know much about pitching (which is how I started as AC. I know enough to be dangerous.) but because of that he doesn’t nit pick or say silly things like “throw strikes”.

When a pitcher is first starting whether it’s at 8 or 14....she needs all the support in the world. And all the patience in the world. Any kid who has the interest to try and the want (craziness?) to stay with it gets big kudos from me.

The hardest part for me, as we started with DD, wasn’t the physical. I’ve played enough sports as a kid and young adult to know everyone comes along differently. It was “coaching” the mental side that was so new to me. Trying to read and communicate with DD on what she was feeling, thinking, and planning was difficult. Which is why I finally decided to learn to pitch. That helped big time as now I was dealing with similar issues as her. So I could help her work through them. It also helped my patience as I quickly realized how hard it was.

Good luck to you and DD. Keep her working and do your best to keep it fun. Because if it isn’t fun then it’s not worth it.
 
Nov 17, 2017
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100% on this. It’s not hand holding.....it is positive support and development from a coach.

I’ve said it before. And I’ll say it again. Unless anyone has tried to learn to pitch AND pitched in a game.....they have no idea how hard it is. Physically and mentally. Learning to pitch starts out like learning to throw with your non-dominant hand. Then, when you’re somewhat proficient (but probably not confident), HC decides to put you in a live game where EVERYONE is focused on you. Have fun.

My DD has been fortunate. Her HC and teammates support her and our other pitcher immensely. He doesn’t know much about pitching (which is how I started as AC. I know enough to be dangerous.) but because of that he doesn’t nit pick or say silly things like “throw strikes”.

When a pitcher is first starting whether it’s at 8 or 14....she needs all the support in the world. And all the patience in the world. Any kid who has the interest to try and the want (craziness?) to stay with it gets big kudos from me.

The hardest part for me, as we started with DD, wasn’t the physical. I’ve played enough sports as a kid and young adult to know everyone comes along differently. It was “coaching” the mental side that was so new to me. Trying to read and communicate with DD on what she was feeling, thinking, and planning was difficult. Which is why I finally decided to learn to pitch. That helped big time as now I was dealing with similar issues as her. So I could help her work through them. It also helped my patience as I quickly realized how hard it was.

Good luck to you and DD. Keep her working and do your best to keep it fun. Because if it isn’t fun then it’s not worth it.


Best of Luck to you Too.....

This coach is a DIII coach.... It's pretty funny because I can hear him call a pitch and then say something like "Not toooo much" or "Don't be afraid" - clueing me to an inside pitch....

We came from a team who barely even warmed up pitchers before throwing them in....ZERO pitch calling. I still watch their games and I'm amazed - they have more pitching talent but.....

So where I am now and looking back at my old team and many other teams I come up with this....

If you think your kid is going to become a true pitcher and you have your kid on some Uber talented Trophy chasing team with bad coaching or just can't run a pitching staff, that just assembled to win some games - You are doing a great disservice to your kid...

I see these kids THROWING 50-55MPH++++ with ZERO guidance out there. Just rearing back and sometimes throwing a Change. Have fun blowing the ball by 12uB and 12UC teams... These teams still aren't beating the real 12U-A teams out of Long Island so.....

Part of the journey is going to watch the difference between the Girls who took advantage of early Size and strength and relied on a lot less coaching and guidance VS what I believe we lucked in to..... I believe we are getting the best Travel training Possible.
I guess Middle school ball you see the girls back together to compare.

Whatever my girls Career becomes.... She is set up with everything pretty much in line right now Team and coaching wise which is all most of us can ask for.
 
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Jan 17, 2020
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Sounds like you found the right team. The right coach makes a world of difference. DD doesn't have a coach calling pitches. I'm going to have to do some research on this. Good luck in the coming season.
 
Apr 28, 2014
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Becoming a great pitcher requires a group of things to all work together to make it happen. Make no mistake about it having a supportive coach who understands how to maximize each pitcher's strengths is definitely one of the elements needed!
 
Mar 6, 2016
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UPDATE.....Gonna just put a note here - I whined a lot in this 1st post years ago......LOL. Part of it tongue in cheek.... But, I'm better now (as you can see a GREAT COACH is what helps) Now if she would only add another 50lbs....LMAO
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My 10yo has been pitching and going to lessons for 9 months now.......

It's KILLING ME......Literally.

I mean, unless your kid is some natural kid with size why go thru the motions... Lessons, Money, TIME.... SANITY????

She's fine so far and so far wants to do it but, to me she's out there so vulnerable and IMO is about to get SMASHED...

She did ok in Spring ball..... She was supposed to be maybe the 3rd pitcher "just learning" and due to no one else and the "Starting" pitcher throwing Heat with ZERO accuracy, she became the "Ace" and it ended "ok" - decent year - Bad Playoff loss....

Now we worked and worked more..... FOR WHAT??????

She's not going to Alabama.... Can she even be pretty good some day??? I'm not talking College at all - I'm talking decent.... I mean, if you keep "Playing Up" and playing Travel - Either you're just an OK team or you have one of the few TRUE pitchers in town and that team Wins....

She's on a Travel Team now - They hoped to get 2 good pitchers - those pitchers went elsewhere - so,. She's the "Starting pitcher #1" - it's a start up 10u Travel team..... I have to prepare my kid to understand that this Sunday, She is going to get her Rump kicked up and down the field like she's never seen before... Like 21-2 type stuff...

Is that Good for kids????? Sure She can grasp that for a game - how about next week's 4 game Weekend? How about the next 8 years..... Practicing, working, Busting your tail..... For such little rewards - Can that Damage a kid????? You tell them good things come to ppl who work hard... Well??????? What if it doesn't?????

I wish we never started pitching - seemed like fun.. "Daddy I want to pitch"... Oh Sureeeeeee.. Good Times...

I don't let her know my feelings but, It's not enjoyable at all.... I really don't know why anyone pitches other than some sick Mega Athlete... And I know kids experience "Failure" at other sports but, do you need to be THE ONE out there all alone with the entire Game / Season / Team on your back????

So, we're spending every other day of a kids life throwing a ball just to be the freaking Pinata????

I'm going along for the ride...... But, I seriously think My health is taking a hit.... I wish we could just have a catch, field grounders and work on a swing instead of trying with every ounce of time and energy to throw 27 MPH Bean Balls for strikes.....

Thanks for listening - I'll hang up


LOL... just saw this thread and had to chime in.. YES... I FELT your pain...TWICE with both DD's. Been there, done that 2X. 😫

They both started in 8u. Older DD stopped in 10u early, so not much time/$$ spent. Younger DD went from 8u to 12U...lefty...very successful and lots and lots of time and $$, but then she started catching and like it more and more and switched to C only.

Yep, I don't miss the stress of being the parent of the pitcher...not one bit! Now, i just gotta stress out now and then when a runner is on 3rd and the damn pitcher throws the damn ball in the dirt over and over!!! 🤣🤬 Damn pitchers!!!! lol
 
Nov 17, 2017
73
18
LOL... just saw this thread and had to chime in.. YES... I FELT your pain...TWICE with both DD's. Been there, done that 2X. 😫

They both started in 8u. Older DD stopped in 10u early, so not much time/$$ spent. Younger DD went from 8u to 12U...lefty...very successful and lots and lots of time and $$, but then she started catching and like it more and more and switched to C only.

Yep, I don't miss the stress of being the parent of the pitcher...not one bit! Now, i just gotta stress out now and then when a runner is on 3rd and the damn pitcher throws the damn ball in the dirt over and over!!! 🤣🤬 Damn pitchers!!!! lol

I joke with DD now that If I had another kid she would be AWESOME at Softball... (I'd push to not pitch but, I'm ok..lol)

I mean I knew nothing 4 years ago when they thew some Tee's at me for the 8yo's

And NOW - I know it all!!!!

Joking aside - I know a lot more and Most of that early stress was fear of the unknown and your shy baby girl out on her own with less than optimal strength.... haha

I'm in the Taking Video threads now - I'll analyze if for hours now AFTER... :)
 

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