Becoming a dedicated pitcher only, when???

DD is quickly approaching the end of her 12U season and I'm already starting to seeing it on some of the other high level teams around her. I'm also hearing from the parents of pitchers a few years ahead of her, that it may not be that far down the road that we can expect coaches to start playing her less and less in the field unless she's in the circle. We know it'll probably happen at some point, but when. DD plays solidly in middle infield, though her time there is slowly lessening even to girls who may not play it as well as she can. She can play anywhere in the outfield, which she still does quite a bit, however we had a conversation with the coach the other day about this.

He didn't ask us to take her out of the field, nor did he say that he wanted to, but during our conversation he brought up that he wants to spend more time teaching the mental approach to attacking a batter (ie, exploiting their weaknesses, pitch location and selection, pitch location based on base runners, etc), and that he can't teach her that when she's the outfield. DD and I (and PC) have worked on the mental aspect a bunch, and she does really well currently. He thinks teaching her in live games could give her even more of an edge up because he can point out exactly how it applies and she can see the example better, and I do understand that point. She's getting approx 40% of the circle time and doing pretty well when she's in, I'm just hesitant to see her come out of the field. I'm afraid those skills will deteriorate.

Though he hasn't mentioned it, I guess this same concern goes for batting. She's in the top 6 on her team, but I also see pitchers stop batting in a lot of cases. A good example I used to explain this to DD happened to her a few nights ago (she was HBP just above her left ankle, though she continued base running with slight pain, it did really hurt when she landed on that foot while pitching. She made it through it okay, but I could tell it was bothering her. It did, at least a little, affect her pitching. Is it worth it for her to be batting, when she's needed much more as a pitcher.) Is this something we should expect too? If so, when?

What's everyone's experiences and thoughts on these two issues? I don't think he's wanting her to only pitch, but I've seen it happen to so many (not with our coach specifically, just within the sport) that I'm cautious about that door opening.

Consider a pitcher who can also be a defensive player in the center of the infield to be a glorious thing!
Equally so a pitcher who can Hit!
*These are reasons that can earn
playing time.

As for playing another position also.
That is more of a team by team situation.
Not all coaches will follow same strategy with pitcher players.
(defense or hitting)
While some coaches dont like to have pitchers hit simply for safety reasons. And some coaches
think pitchers need to sit out to rest for the game they will pitch.
There are coaches who recognize being well rounded offers more skills on their roster and resume for recruitment.

Imo this is an individuals goal of what the athlete wants to do.
Not what one coach decides.

While it is so that some become only a pitcher maybe starting in 16's or 18's...
Better be one of the best pitchers in your state on one of the top tier teams if your goal in college is ONLY pitching.

As for hitting, thats a skill set.
It should also be developed.
Falls into the catagory
'Well rounded player!'

imo continue now
GROWING ALL SKILLS

12u is very young to start considering only one thing.
*Work hard at the game,
*Grow skill sets,
*Let performance be your guide!

Lisa Fernandez
its hard to decide what her greatest attribute is...
Pitcher
Hitter
3rd base
Now she's a Coach...
A well rounded D1 Coach
She's incredible at all of them!

DD is Pitcher only. Her team has 18 players and they are all excellent. Which makes watching her sit a little easier than it may seem. Shes a rising senior. Our coaches protect the pitchers and I do feel that it's a good thing. As they get older everyone zeros in on their role and becomes a master. Hard to master two roles at a time. If your DD wants to pitch very high level she can expect to pitch only as she gets older and will need to devote all hours she practices to pitching and fielding as a pitcher. It's the right decision. DD played other positions until her second year of 18 ball (this past fall).

BT3100 said:

DD played other positions until her second year of 18 ball (this past fall).

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This last sentence stands out!
Can you please share how or what considerations stood out that connected the decision to only pitch at that point. 2nd year 18's?

May i ask of her recruitment at this point?
Thanku BT3100!

Your coach could be a great TB coach from the standpoint of managing the team, getting players, arranging tournaments, managing finances, etc....but, he is clueless about developing a player.

HighStrung said:

he wants to spend more time teaching the mental approach to attacking a batter

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Pitching strategy for 12U? Honestly, I'm sitting here shaking my head wondering what planet your coach is from. Uranus, perhaps?

Softball pitching strategy isn't exactly quantum entanglement theory. Here is all the softball pitching strategy that she will need until she is playing in the 2032 Olympics:

a) Throw the ball over the river.
b) Don't throw the ball in the same place twice.
c) Pitch to the umpire's strike zone, not the rule book strike zone.

Is it worth it for her to be batting, when she's needed much more as a pitcher.) Is this something we should expect too? If so, when?

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College. Maybe earlier if she is playing one of the top 20 teams in the US on her TB team.

Right now and through HS, she'll make time to work on her hitting and pitching. She'll be able to keep her hitting skills sharp. When she gets to college, there is all kinds of time pressure, and she may not have the time to do batting practice.

We can expect coaches to start playing her less and less in the field unless she's in the circle. We know it'll probably happen at some point, but when.

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It ain't 12U.

Probably around 16U. Playing a position other than 1B takes a lot of work and practice. To be really good takes as much time as being a good pitcher. Around 16U, you'll see her teammates start surpassing her on the field.

If you are a good enough athlete such that you can be a better hitter than the rest of your teammates (or at least top 3 or 4) without taking as many reps (or get really good at sleeping less)....never.

12U ball is way too early to have pitcher only players. A huge number of very good TB pitchers will not pitch in college. Personally speaking, I would want my dd to be able to play multiple positions on the field. I don't even believe that 12U should have positions locked in for non pitchers. My dd was fortunate that her TB coach player her and all other players all over the field. She was her team's #1 pitcher.

My DD is 12U (1st year). Pitches and plays corners and some OF. Even a little catcher in a pinch. If a coach started talking about a dedicated pitcher for her, I would find a new team. There are kids that are great pitchers and not athletic enough or want to play another position, but that doesn't sound like your DD. There are way to many what if's between now and the end of her softball journey. Why handicap her now?

A pitcher in the field can learn just a much as she can on the bench. I think more from see it from the playing field perspective. Seeing the pitches better and see the batters reaction.

First, unless your DD absolutely wants it (I just want to pitch), NEVER consider specializing in pitching until she is physically mature. The vast majority of your best 12U pitchers never make it to 16U as pitchers - it is a lot of work and frankly a lot of the best 12U pitchers live on being early maturers in their age group. You have almost ZERO clue who a kid will be when she gets older. If at all possible avoid just pitching or specializing until they are into their HS years.

Even then it varies... it depends on how good you are at all pitching, hitting and fielding, what else you have on your teams and probably most importantly, your DD's personal goals and wants.

DD is currently in her last travel ball season in 18U - she is her team's #1 pitcher and plays pretty much across the infield. One of the reasons she chose her college is that she will get to pitch, hit and field so she is on a travel team that lets her do that because that is important. On a 3 game day, she will be in the lineup for every game, she will pitch a game, mostly rest a game (available to fill in or relieve) and then field a game. She has had multiple opportunities to be a 'sit-and pitch' player and also 'full-time SS' but it isn't what she wants.

One of her teammate's justs wants to pitch; so that is all she does. Another used to be a very good pitcher in 12U but she didn't like it that much so she now roams CF and no longer pitches. Different goals.

Work hard have a great attitude do the best you can with what you have, the rest will work itself out. The objective is to play if you are a good pitcher you will get playing time. If you are a good batter you will get playing time. If you are a great fielder you will get playing time. The more positions you qualify for the better chance of playing time. I’m seeing great pitchers at 12u that are 3rd and SS players at 16u Never seeing the rubber. So work hard at all of it and see where life takes you.