How many pitchers is too many?

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Apr 26, 2015
704
43
Disclaimer - my DD is NOT a pitcher. I'm just an outside observer...one of DD's friends just left her team to go to this team...

1st yr 14U Team has 4 pitchers who all think they will be the #1...what are the chances this is going to work out well? They are all very good pitchers.
 
Jun 12, 2015
3,848
83
We had 4 on our last team. 2 strong, 2 developing (well, they're all developing in 10U but you know what I mean). They all knew their place though; the coach made it clear up front who would be primary and who would be back up. We had almost no drama over pitching time. Well, none I was privy to and mine was one of the pitchers. To me 4 is a good number if everyone knows what to expect. The problem will probably be that they all think they should be #1.
 
Apr 26, 2015
704
43
We had 4 on our last team. 2 strong, 2 developing (well, they're all developing in 10U but you know what I mean). They all knew their place though; the coach made it clear up front who would be primary and who would be back up. We had almost no drama over pitching time. Well, none I was privy to and mine was one of the pitchers. To me 4 is a good number if everyone knows what to expect. The problem will probably be that they all think they should be #1.

In your situation I think 4 is perfect. That is similar to the team DD is on. Her team has 2 pitchers who are very similar and on any given day either could start. And then they too, have 2 developing pitchers. I'm curious about this other team because each of these girls was the #1 pitcher on their previous teams. I am just having a hard time believing this is going to go down with no drama. I would definitely not consider any of these girls developing pitchers.
 

Me_and_my_big_mouth

witty softball quote
Sep 11, 2014
437
18
Pacific NW
Disclaimer - my DD is NOT a pitcher. I'm just an outside observer...one of DD's friends just left her team to go to this team...

1st yr 14U Team has 4 pitchers who all think they will be the #1...what are the chances this is going to work out well? They are all very good pitchers.
It will work out fine for:
1) Coach's DD (or favorite), who is probably a pitcher
2) The actual #1 pitcher - as long as she is fine just pitching
3) The pitcher who has a strong secondary position - but there's a big BUT here.

The girl who only pitches (P #3), who isn't related to coach, and who is just used intermittently when you're facing a weak team or when you're up 8-0, isn't going to get what she needs from this team. She will get further behind, because she won't develop rhythm with the defense and they'll end up shutting down when she's in the circle. I've seen it over and over - even awesome defense goes to pieces when they don't trust their pitcher or know what to expect. #3 won't get enough reps with them behind her, so her results will vary. P #3 will carry that around with her and there goes her confidence. In the meantime, #1 & #2 get reps and experience - and usually the bulk of the wins. Defense is on point, and therefore trusts those girls more when they're in the circle - even if P#3 is turning and burning!

And #4? Well, she quit pitching back in March and she started working on her bat instead. She plays utility and doesn't miss pitching too much.

Source: Personal experience.

DD was P #4 last season on an elite 2nd year 14u. She had a strong secondary position, and ended up quitting pitching altogether. The #3 rarely got action, and the #2 got action, but only pitched. Our #1 never, ever sat. She was always in the lineup, and played her secondary when not pitching. DD was brought in to burn up time or innings, and defense went to sleep on her.
 
Last edited:
Dec 5, 2012
4,143
63
Mid West
I absolutely agree that they all need to know their place. There must be an ace and a 2, 3, and 4 pitcher. Do not be political and give them all equal time. Let the 3 and 4 pitchers get starts in pool play and or friendly scrimmages, but come bracket time on game day, there is no question who's going to start
 

Me_and_my_big_mouth

witty softball quote
Sep 11, 2014
437
18
Pacific NW
I absolutely agree that they all need to know their place. There must be an ace and a 2, 3, and 4 pitcher. Do not be political and give them all equal time. Let the 3 and 4 pitchers get starts in pool play and or friendly scrimmages, but come bracket time on game day, there is no question who's going to start
But at 14u, if they aren't given time in bracket to face pressure and get the job done, they get further away from being pitchers. 14u is when they start making decisions about what they want to focus on for college (if that's the goal). Pitchers need to get their pitches on, and if they don't, they won't stay pitchers very long.

That's why the adage is that if your DD is pitcher #3 or #4, find a new team.
 
Sep 18, 2011
1,411
0
Disclaimer - my DD is NOT a pitcher. I'm just an outside observer...one of DD's friends just left her team to go to this team...

1st yr 14U Team has 4 pitchers who all think they will be the #1...what are the chances this is going to work out well? They are all very good pitchers.

Impossible to answer without knowing the level of play. 4 pitchers on one team might be excessive. 4 pitchers on a top level team might not be enough. When you get to double elimination and need to win 4 or 5 games to survive the day, and then need another 4 wins to survive the next day, well, good luck doing that with two pitchers. Or if you end up at one of the big Colorado showcases... two practice games on tuesday, two pool games wednesday, two on Thursday, two on friday, and then bracket play on Saturday where you could play 4 more games. But if you're not playing those types of tournaments.... like i said, impossible to answer without more information about the team.

side note - our so-called number 4 pitcher saved our season last night. Came in the game in the 4th with our team down 2-1, pitched out of a jam, gave up back to back bunt singles in the bottom of the 6th with the score tied 2-2 and pitched out of it, and then in the bottom of ITB, with our team up 3-2, when the other team sacrificed the runner to third, our pitcher got a huge strikeout and then a pop up to end the game. So no, you will never convince me that 4 is too many.
 
Aug 19, 2015
1,118
113
Atlanta, GA
I don't know how many is too many, but I do know that 2 is too few! We had 3 good pitchers last year and one changed teams at Christmas. HC was never able to replace her, and we tried tournaments with two pitchers and that was not good. We sucked wind. Then, he started picking up pitchers and we were runners-up in one tournament and won another. I think 3 is "just right." Especially if they're all good, but in different ways. But, my kid's a catcher, so no skin off my back.
 

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