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Jan 28, 2017
1,662
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DD can play 12U again next year, she is the only one on her team that doesn't have to move up. She loves her team. She the #3 pitcher and pitches at least one game every tournament. Probably still the #3 at 14U. If she stays down, probably would pitch more. She is in 6th grade and starts MS, they pitch at 43 feet. Also, most girls in 6th grade have to move up.

She is an average hitter and fielder at 12U level. I'm worried that she will get behind if she doesn't move up but not sure she is ready.
 
Dec 2, 2013
3,410
113
Texas
Depends on how much she wants to pitch. Are you spending money on lessons every week? Pitchers get better when they pitch. If she is happy getting only one game during a weekend, then move up. If she wants to get better and be the #1 or #2 then she should stay in her age division and work at getting the majority of the circle time. 14U is the age when girls start getting big and balls start flying over the fence on the regular depending on how competitive the teams are in your area. If she is not ready, then she won't pitch much at the 14U level. So yes, lots of variables to consider. You just need to figure what is best for her development.
 
Jan 28, 2017
1,662
83
Depends on how much she wants to pitch. Are you spending money on lessons every week? Pitchers get better when they pitch. If she is happy getting only one game during a weekend, then move up. If she wants to get better and be the #1 or #2 then she should stay in her age division and work at getting the majority of the circle time. 14U is the age when girls start getting big and balls start flying over the fence on the regular depending on how competitive the teams are in your area. If she is not ready, then she won't pitch much at the 14U level. So yes, lots of variables to consider. You just need to figure what is best for her development.

We do take lessons once a week and work hard at it. How many games do you think a pitcher should pitch in a day? Not trying to be a smart butt, I'm not sure what I want. More than one would be good but I'm not sure how many. That's a concern if we leave her down also. DD isn't ready hitting but has a lot of ability. If she stays down it will put her behind a little as a hitter IMO but help her pitching. She likes pitching better but probably more talented as a hitting. She is a better pitcher at the moment. Hard decisions but time!
 

marriard

Not lost - just no idea where I am
Oct 2, 2011
4,312
113
Florida
We do take lessons once a week and work hard at it. How many games do you think a pitcher should pitch in a day? Not trying to be a smart butt, I'm not sure what I want. More than one would be good but I'm not sure how many. That's a concern if we leave her down also. DD isn't ready hitting but has a lot of ability. If she stays down it will put her behind a little as a hitter IMO but help her pitching. She likes pitching better but probably more talented as a hitting. She is a better pitcher at the moment. Hard decisions but time!

What does SHE want and how is the current team in all the important areas? The decision at this age isn't going to make a huge difference in development either way - if she is happy with her playing time, coaching, pitching, hitting, teammates, etc and for the most part you are as well, trying to find greener pastures makes no sense.

Want more time pitching??? Every 12U team in the area will be happy to have her guest on off weekends and it is a great way to get development.

#3 pitcher should get a pool game and then any available mop up innings or an occasional start on elimination brackets.

I always felt that any more than 66% of available innings is pushing it as too much for a pitcher. Our current team is almost exactly a 40/40/20 split between the three pitchers.
 
Dec 2, 2013
3,410
113
Texas
Here's something else to consider. Where is she in her skills and abilities to the other players on the team??? Top? Middle? Bottom? Where is she typically in the line up? If she is currently dominating the competition in 12U, then yes move her up. If she is not, then another year in 12U can only help her gain the confidence to succeed. It may not feel like it now, but she will not get left behind. There are many players who are still playing 16U TB and they are juniors. As a coach, I wanted the oldest girls that I can get my hands on. I loved January and Early Spring birthdays!

My DD is different. She played 3 years at 10U, one at 12U, two at 14U, one at 16U, and will play 3 years at 18U Gold. I pushed her up and then held her back, then pushed up depending on where I thought she needed to be and what team is the right fit based on her skill level at the time. Let her be a stud in 12U if that's where she needs to be!!! There are lots of years still to go. If you push her up too early, it could hurt more than it helps, and I think that is what you are trying to figure out.

As far as the number of games for a pitcher. How many games/innings are the other two pitchers getting in a weekend? Assuming you are playing 4-7 games a weekend. One game in a weekend is not enough IMO. One game a day minimum. 2 games a day, yes. They don't have to be full games as your team has other pitchers.

I'm just a catcher's dad, but had to manage a pitching rotation. If a kid was getting one game a weekend, I would get an earful from the parents. I would like to see what other Pitcher dads have to say.
 
Feb 4, 2015
641
28
Massachusetts
If she stays down it will put her behind a little as a hitter IMO but help her pitching. She likes pitching better but probably more talented as a hitting. She is a better pitcher at the moment. Hard decisions but time!

How will staying down put her behind? Staying at an age appropriate level for her ability will help her improve. Moving her up to 14U when she is not ready to face better pitching is what is going to put her behind. Second yr 14U's are playing in HS, so she face much better pitching. And just being in 14U wont help her pitching if she's not getting enough innings.

You said she is #3 pitching, an average fielder, and isn't really hitting. What is the rush to move up? Let her develop at 12U, be the primary pitcher and get lots of innings, and improve her fielding and hitting. Then she'll be ready when she moves up as a true 14U.

Just my 2 cents! Don't rush the journey, she has plenty of time.
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
If she likes the Team and coaches I would move up with them.

I am not sure if your DD does long toss, moving back did not effect DD.
 
Jan 28, 2017
1,662
83
How will staying down put her behind? Staying at an age appropriate level for her ability will help her improve. Moving her up to 14U when she is not ready to face better pitching is what is going to put her behind. Second yr 14U's are playing in HS, so she face much better pitching. And just being in 14U wont help her pitching if she's not getting enough innings.

You said she is #3 pitching, an average fielder, and isn't really hitting. What is the rush to move up? Let her develop at 12U, be the primary pitcher and get lots of innings, and improve her fielding and hitting. Then she'll be ready when she moves up as a true 14U.

Just my 2 cents! Don't rush the journey, she has plenty of time.

We are a really good 12U team for our area. First or second in every tournament we have played. She is average for our team I guess. Not a rush to move her up but coaches are great and they will move up. I'm not sure where or who she would play with at 12U. She will be playing against the other girls in MS anyway. The pitching that she is seeing in our area isn't great all the time. She has good at bats against the better pitching. Hitting pitchers in the 50's isn't that big of deal for her. Figuring out the strike zone and learning the correct approach is still a problem and she's not consistent. Hits the ball really hard for a 110 pound girl.

Pitching MS ball at 43 and then moving back to 40 is not ideal. She will probably be throwing 52-55 next year with a really good curve ball. Other pitches need to get better. A part of me feels like it would help her to dominate for once but I'm not sure she's wired that way.

DD competes hard but it doesn't bother her at all that she's the #3 pitcher. Weird! I asked her about not moving up and she said, but all my friends are moving up. Well how would you feel about playing with another team at the 12U level? That would be great because I'll make a lot of new friends. My wife has done a great job!
 
Jan 28, 2017
1,662
83
If she likes the Team and coaches I would move up with them.

I am not sure if your DD does long toss, moving back did not effect DD.

All her pitching lessons for two years have been from 43. We throw from 40 during the week some. We do some long toss. I enjoy reading all your post Quincy.
 

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