How much is to much?

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Feb 16, 2015
933
43
South East
I would like to hear from parents & coaches towards how much do you allow your DD or player to catch in a day? I am about to approach my DD's coach on this matter and want to hear from others about their thoughts.


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May 17, 2012
2,804
113
It depends on a lot of factors, weather, innings, fatigue. I had a catcher catch 7 games in a fall weekend without issue. Conversely the weather was so humid one summer weekend I swapped catchers multiple times a game.

Most catchers are begging for innings so I have to adjudicate accordingly. For me when the catcher looks tired it's time to sit her as that is when injuries are more prone to happen.

You should always have two catchers of equal value and if you have another ex-catcher that can eat some innings...even better.
 
Apr 26, 2015
704
43
DD has been splitting her time between C and CF. 2 weekends ago the other catcher on her team was costing the team run after run on her crazy out of control throwdowns. DD always brings a sense of calm to the field when she is catching and HC put her in. She played 3.5 games back to back and when they got ready to start game 4 HC wanted her to catch again - but she knew her limits. She told him she couldn't do it. He has been playing her more and more in the OF and she is not in "catching" shape. She has caught 7 games in a weekend before, but she doesn't like to do it. She would prefer an inning or two break - or maybe even a game.

In her defense, we live in CO and although it has been pretty mild here weather wise - (60s ish)...we were playing out of state in the upper 80s - seemed very hot to the girls.
 
Feb 16, 2015
933
43
South East
Ok so her current situation is that she is the only catcher..... well the only catcher that gives us a reasonable chance at winning a game. We live in the south so the heat and humidity is pretty much always a factor. This past weekend she caught for our 4 pool play games with 1 game break in between each game which were 80 min games. For bracket play she caught 5 games which were in a row. The coach tends to ask her if she is good to go and she always says yes but I believe everyone knows in the back of their mind that there is really no other option. Our pitching staff isn't very good to be honest so who ever is catching for us has their work cut out for them..... it isn't as if they can just sit back and stick pitches..... there is a lot a of blocking and more jumping then we would all like to see. She never actually complains about anything during games or between games but may make a comment after the day is over like "my legs are finished or I am exhausted".

I find myself getting aggravated with the coach at times (who is also a good friend) when comments are made to her about not sticking a certain pitch or not hitting the ball during an at-bat after catching 16 innings over the past 10 hours at the park. I have made comments to the coaching staff before about getting a relief catcher to help out but it has seemed to fall onto deaf ears. I just want to make sure that I am not being unreasonable on my request before I have the come to Jesus talk with the coach.




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Greenmonsters

Wannabe Duck Boat Owner
Feb 21, 2009
6,168
38
New England
No predefined limits necessary IMO. Her physical condition and external factors should be the determinants IMO. Regardless, she's done when she reaches the point of risking injury ( this is on her or her parents) OR she's not helping the team ( this is on the coach). Of course, in game 6 of the same day the coach shouldn't be saying anything more negative than "let me know if there is anything I can do to help make your life easier"!
 
Nov 2, 2015
192
16
Ok so her current situation is that she is the only catcher..... well the only catcher that gives us a reasonable chance at winning a game. We live in the south so the heat and humidity is pretty much always a factor. This past weekend she caught for our 4 pool play games with 1 game break in between each game which were 80 min games. For bracket play she caught 5 games which were in a row. The coach tends to ask her if she is good to go and she always says yes but I believe everyone knows in the back of their mind that there is really no other option. Our pitching staff isn't very good to be honest so who ever is catching for us has their work cut out for them..... it isn't as if they can just sit back and stick pitches..... there is a lot a of blocking and more jumping then we would all like to see. She never actually complains about anything during games or between games but may make a comment after the day is over like "my legs are finished or I am exhausted".

I find myself getting aggravated with the coach at times (who is also a good friend) when comments are made to her about not sticking a certain pitch or not hitting the ball during an at-bat after catching 16 innings over the past 10 hours at the park. I have made comments to the coaching staff before about getting a relief catcher to help out but it has seemed to fall onto deaf ears. I just want to make sure that I am not being unreasonable on my request before I have the come to Jesus talk with the coach.




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That is too much, IMHO. 3 full games in a day is the max I would have a girl catch.
 

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