She is doing her job

its hard when a pitcher doesn't get defensive support but I think I am most proud of my kid when she is just grinding away in one of those infinite half innings that go on and on and she just keeps hitting spots and hoping for the best.

JJsqueeze said:

its hard when a pitcher doesn't get defensive support but I think I am most proud of my kid when she is just grinding away in one of those infinite half innings that go on and on and she just keeps hitting spots and hoping for the best.

Click to expand...

I have to agree with that. A pitcher that maintains composure and confidence even if the inning is falling apart is a huge asset to have in the circle.

ArkFastpitch said:

The coaches do try to help. HC is really good about calling time to calm the defense down after a series if errors. He always high fives DD after a meeting in the circle or as she's going into the dugout.

Click to expand...

Glad he seems to encourage, but I sense Amy is addressing something deeper: is he teaching her how to be a pitcher? Is she learning about the value of pitch location and changing speeds? And I really like JAD's thoughts on teaching with stats. Good stuff.

At 12U, it is OK for her to understand that her teammates need to back her up and that this really is a team sport, regardless of what pitchers (and their families) think. No one can do it all by themselves in this game, and they will need each other if they are going to be successful.

It is also OK if she lets them know about it when they aren't pulling their weight, as long as she doesn't forget to pick them up when they're down and slap 'em on the behind when they've done well. Really good teams talk to each other and communicate. It has to be a safe zone where they are able to both talk about what is going well and what needs to be improved without anyone taking offense and with all realizing that it is for the betterment of the team.

My girls know that it is absolutely 100% OK for them to call each other out when another makes a boneheaded play or forgets her fundamentals and lets a ball by or one drop. They also know it had better be them who is the first to congratulate that girl when she gets it right the next time. They are good with these concepts and know that it isn't personal, it is just what they need to do if they are to reach our team goals. We have a very stable and loving dugout as a result.

Luckily, since my original post, DD has since moved on to another team. Although her old HC was very supportive, he was also very inexperienced in his role. New team, new atmosphere, experienced coaching staff.. New HC is very good at making sure everyone works as a unit and everyone is held accountable for their role. This takes alot of stress off DD when pitching and I believe I've even caught a smile or two from her when she was in the circle here lately.

I can't take any credit for it, but DD#1 doesn't let an error by the defense phase her one bit. She never has. She's the first to pick the player up.

If it did bother her, I'd point out as above that her job as a pitcher ends when the ball leaves her hand. JAD's ERA talk would be a good one also. Just know your DD and make sure you don't turn her against her teammates.

Real life example from today. DD's team is up 0-2 headed into the top of 3rd. She throws a pitch she wishes she could have back and gives up a 3 run dinger. She then responds with 6 K's in 4 innings allowing only 3 runners on base. Meanwhile on offense her team plates 1 run to tie game and strands 5 or 6 runners over 5 innings. DD's pitch count was 113 at the end of 7 which is a bit high and I know what may come next. In the 8th she throws 20 more pitches, the wheels come off and they lose 6 - 3. Blames herself for loss for not holding it together in the 8th. No excuses but I see it a bit different since for 4 innings she did keep it together keeping her team in the game and giving them opportunities to plate that additional run that ends it in regulation. Pitchers can only do so much.

DD and I have been talking quite a bit about the "game within the game" concept and how it applies to her pitching. I didn't keep up with her stats until this season and I believe that has helped quite a bit. Since we have gotten a little more detailed with her pitching, she has adopted more of a technical and strategic approach to her pitching. Her new HC works quite a bit with her on the "whats and whys". She's starting to become more of a student of the game. It has been really fun to watch the maturation process.