To pitch or not to pitch

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Dec 23, 2016
5
0
I don't want to bore you with too many details but I have an issue with my 13U DD and whether to continue pitching or stop to concentrate on hitting and fielding for the purpose of getting into college. She's good pitcher on a very good elite east coast team. She led the team in ERA but pitches 52 to 54 MPH. She has four really effective pitches as well and location is her strength. However, she's only 5'2" 120 pounds but wants to play D-1. If we can concentrate on hitting I believe we can get her to mid-level D-1 team but she's a D-3 pitcher. She wants to pitch and has great mound presence but I can't see her being recruited for pitching and the endless hours and money spent with pitching could be allocated toward her strengths.
 
Jun 27, 2011
5,089
0
North Carolina
How much does she enjoy pitching?
Why does she want to play D-I?
How well does she hit? Is she a better pitcher than hitter at this point?
What position do you see her playing in college?
 
Dec 23, 2016
5
0
She really enjoys pitching and works at it. Woke me up yesterday at 430 am to pitch at my friends facility
She wants to play against the best.
She sees the best pitching in the east coast and she hits around .340. Not great but can get better with time.
She's likely an outfielder.
 
Jun 27, 2011
5,089
0
North Carolina
OK, I can see the dilemma.

Is she sure that her love of playing vs. the best is greater than her love of pitching?

If she sees the best pitching in the east coast, then I assume she sees the best hitting in the east coast, and to this point she's viewed as a better pitcher than hitter? If you think she can get to mid-major D-I level as a 5-2/120 outfielder/non-slapper, then I'm not sure she can't get there as a 5-2/120 pitcher who might still grow. Or, a 5-2/120 pitcher who might not need to grow. You're not talking the SEC, and even if you were, I'd note that UGA has a 5-foot-0 pitcher.

If she's having success pitching at the level you describe and really loves it, I'd be hesitant to give that up at age 13.
 
Oct 19, 2009
1,277
38
beyond the fences
She is 13- not finished growing. Unless she is very special and a standout athlete, D1 normally looks for tall girls.
What is the matter with d3? How can you be sure she has plateaued and will not get stronger/faster as a pitcher?
I think you might be a little premature age wise in your evaluation. Also- let her make the choice. It can be difficult, but
it is her future.......

My DD pitches and bats at a prominent D3 and could not be happier.

Letting her find her way and make her own decision will benefit your relationship in future years
 

sluggers

Super Moderator
Staff member
May 26, 2008
7,132
113
Dallas, Texas
Pitching is a different game than hitting/fielding softball. Pitching is not even similar to what everyone else on the field is doing.
So, your DD might love pitching and like the rest of my game.

My DD#1 pitched in D1. She loved pitching. She could practice 2 or 3 hours a day. The rest of softball? Meeh...not so much.

The truth about how to make a "good" player: The player has to love practicing and the game. If your DD doesn't love to practice hitting or fielding, then she is wasting her time.

Your DD loves pitching. If your DD quits pitching, she might quit softball as well.

Can your DD pitch D1? Probably not. If your DD were 6', I would tell you the same thing...not many kids can. (You look at a college softball team with 5 pitchers, and look at the stats...the team actually has *ONE* pitcher. )

But, that is not the end of the world. My DD#3 played D3 basketball, and she had a fantastic experience and got a great education.
 
Jun 12, 2015
3,848
83
At her age, I'd talk it out with her and let her choose what to do. My DD is only 10 but she loves pitching. It's her favorite part of softball. I'd hate to tell her to give it up. Go over it with her, the options and pros/cons. She can always keep pitching and still focus on improving her hitting and fielding, right? Even if she thinks she may not be able to pitch in college? It seems like a bad idea to give up something she loves right now to increase the odds of being able to play in college in 5 years.
 
Dec 23, 2016
5
0
I might wait for a while but doing both is so expensive and time consuming. She had a 2.5 era playing against teams like EC Bullets, Atlanta Vipers and Tampa Mustangs. But that is because she splits innings with our 60 mph pitcher and it throws them off. Thanks for your advice.
 
Jun 12, 2015
3,848
83
I might wait for a while but doing both is so expensive and time consuming. She had a 2.5 era playing against teams like EC Bullets, Atlanta Vipers and Tampa Mustangs. But that is because she splits innings with our 60 mph pitcher and it throws them off. Thanks for your advice.

Sounds like maybe you're in my neck of the woods maybe? I'm in GA. Anyway...yeah. We don't do any other lessons, just pitching. I realize we may have to add hitting lessons at some point. I can see that getting very pricey. I will say that during the peak season we only go to pitching lessons every other week. We play a lot of tournaments and our instructor teaches on Monday. So if we have a really busy weekend it's just too much to go every week. Maybe space out lessons a bit? Once they've been pitching awhile do they really need to go in ever week? Just a thought.
 
Dec 23, 2016
5
0
She loves all aspects of softball. She's boarderline obsessed with it. Im not going to tell her to quit but I may have a talk with her down the road about what to do. Thanks
 

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