How many pitchers is too many?

[Cougars]

@Cougars how many of those 41 innings were from her coming in relieve the number 2 pitcher??

If you are a coach that doesn't have 2 pitchers who can beat anybody you plan on playing and a third who can come in relief and give you a good 2 or 3 innings, you shouldn't expect to win tournaments and still be able to safely use your pitchers.

I didn't do a complete box score breakdown.... Looking at their gamechanger, for the entire summer, they went 21-10, Pitching breakdown, by innings, was 100, 56, 3.

We have other threads about what's healthy, or how long until arms get tired. I just know that specifically about "how many pitchers", in my "B" level experience, very few of the teams have a #3 that they would trust with very many "important" innings.

 

[_MIA_]

in my "B" level experience, very few of the teams have a #3 that they would trust with very many "important" innings.

I agree but I was under the impression that this thread was about what is the proper amount to use(taking everything into consideration), not what is common...

DD's 14U team this year has a kid who sits 64-66..I bet we could win more games if we pitched her 2/3 of the innings..not sure that is proper all things considered..

 

[NJZoo]

We just finished our final year of 12U ball (A level) and we have 3 pitchers that are all about the same level. They each pitched a game on pool play day and then on Sunday we looked at matchups and doubled up if need be - but they all pitched. We had a 4th that was more developmental, but there just wasn't an opportunity to get her any meaningful innings, so she left. Selfishly, I'd love to have 4, because injuries, illness, vacations, and bad outings happen. It's just tough to carry 4 and make sure the #4 is happy in their role. Pitchers get better by throwing, so I don't blame a girl/parents for looking for opportunities to get mound time.

 

[Cougars]

41 innings, 15 pitches per inning... 615 pitches.

Yeah, that's more than I'd want a pitcher to throw in a weekend.

because I'm eating lunch, and don't feel like working anyway...

it was 631 pitches. first game on Monday, championship was saturday.

they actually played 12 games. #1 started 8, pitched in 9. #2 started 4, pitched in 6

 

[_MIA_]

it was 631 pitches. first game on Monday, championship was saturday.

Ok that isn't as bad then assuming it was spread fairly evenly over the 6 days..I have seen kids throw almost 600 pitches in one day..

That is something else to consider when you are considering older aged National teams, many of the tournaments are spread over 4-6 days which actually means you might be able to (safely) get away with LESS pitchers than a B team playing 7 GG weekend tournaments..

 

[GKCO]

My daughters 10U team happens to have 5 legit solid pitchers. Can I rank them? Sure, but I'd have confidence in all 5. My daughter also catches and plays EVERYWHERE. She is super athletic and loves playing all over when not pitching or catching. I know eventually she'll have to narrow down her positions. Our coach tries to play all the pitchers equally in seeding games and then goes with the hot hand so we can have a weekend where a pitcher might only pitch 2-3 innings. Our solution for this has been signing on with another team that has no pitching to play another 4-5 tournaments. That has worked out so far.

 

[_MIA_]

My daughters 10U team happens to have 5 legit solid pitchers.

DM me..DD’s team might need a scrimmage..

 

[Gags]

In tournament play, 3 that can get hitters out at the level you aspire to play is a must. Everybody has a bad game and you don't want to have to use the next game's potential starter in relief.

(my emphasis above)

Only took 6 years, but leave it to an IF'ers dad to offer the best summary and rationale (IMO).

 

[GKCO]

DM me..DD’s team might need a scrimmage..

You in the Orlando area?

 

[_MIA_]

You in the Orlando area?

OK

I was kidding, my DD plays on a 2nd year 14u team and your kid’s team could very well beat them but I doubt that would do wonders for their confidence