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Jul 25, 2018
5
3
Hello all,

I’ve been lurking for quite a while. I’ve learned a ton from this forum, most notably with the pitching instruction. My DD just turned 10 and is a pitcher. I’ve been following the I/R mechanics and have been teaching her what I can, being I haven’t found any I/R or Tincher coaches in our area (within a few hours). She has improved tremendously over the past year. This year she played on a local B level TB team and had a great season. Our problem is that this team has 2 pitchers, my DD and the coach’s daughter. His DD is the better pitcher….but not by much. Both throw mid-high 40s with pretty good control. My DD was promised a lot of circle time when we signed up for the team, but the better she gets, the less opportunity she gets. For the year, my daughter has thrown about 15% of the innings. Outside of pitching, she has one of the best bats on the team.

Going into next year, we’re faced with moving up to 12U (the rest of the team must move up) or staying another year at 10U. Our organization is fielding a 10U team next year, but from what we have seen, they will be young and not at the same level that we were this year. We feel we have two options:

1 – move to 12U and continue to not get the circle time; or
2 – stay at 10U and play on a sub-par team, but hopefully excel individually

Perhaps the biggest issue to throw into the mix is that the coaching on the current team is not the greatest. We like the guys, but they don’t contribute much from a teaching standpoint. They don’t do a great job at teaching fundamentals, which are very important at this age. Also, their communication skills with the girls isn’t ideal. Between that and the daddy ball, we’re leaning toward leaving.

Conversely, the 10U team has brought on a young ex-college player, which we feel would provide better instruction and communication. However, she doesn’t have the experience in dealing with parents, so we’re worried how she will handle that side of the game (hoping she won’t be bullied). Another fear is that if we keep her down on a losing team, how will that impact her love of the game? I’m sure it gets old being on a bad team…an experience we haven’t had previously. Our DD has grown close with a lot of her current teammates, so she wants to stick with them, but understands that may have an impact on her growth as a player.
There are very few TB teams in our area, so choices are limited. There are some big name organizations a couple hours away, but I’m not sure we’re up to that much travel each week at such a young age.

If anyone has gone through similar scenarios in the past, I would appreciate any input. Sorry for the long post…
 
Aug 19, 2015
1,118
113
Atlanta, GA
Why not try out for some other 12U teams, assuming there are some? You always have the option to move up. Does your DD play a secondary position when she's not pitching? I certainly wouldn't want my DD to sit the bench 85% of the time. That will kill her love for her game quickly at that age.
 
Jun 29, 2013
589
18
Advice that I got: if your DD is a position player, move up whenever you want (basically when you think she can handle the experience level) If she is a Pitcher, leave her down and allow her to dominate. It has always worked out for us, and if your DD won't get any circle time moving up I'd stay down.
 
Jul 25, 2018
5
3
Thanks for all the opinions. Yes, she has played every position this year, except catcher and 2B. She has only sat maybe 2 innings all year. She really wants to pitch, but the writing is on the wall that it just won't happen with this team.
 

Strike2

Allergic to BS
Nov 14, 2014
2,044
113
That's some strange coaching...only two pitchers of roughly equal ability and one pitches 85% of the time? This guy is going to burn out his kid using her that much. Did you ever speak to him about it??? As you move up and get older, you'll find that even two pitchers equally sharing the load often isn't enough over the course of a long tournament.

Your DD didn't get the work she needed in the circle this season. If you want her to be a pitcher going forward, she needs to find a team that will let her throw. Another year at 10U certainly won't hurt, and if she's not dominant at 10U, moving up to 12U a year early is a bad move.

I wouldn't worry about being on a team that loses if your DD is getting good coaching and playing experience. My DD played on a team that struggled but she played all the time, which gave her the skills and experience necessary to eventually play for a better team. If your DD is good in the circle, she can keep the games close. That young ex-college player may need some seasoning, but you might have a diamond in the rough. Sometimes, the girls respond better to a 20-something female than a 30/40-something mom or dad. Give it a chance...that new coach might be kicking rear in a year or two with some decent talent and supportive parents.
 
Last edited:
Mar 14, 2017
453
43
Michigan
This is easy... do what's best for your daughter. She needs to pitch to improve and as you said she isn't getting very good fundamentals with her current team. As she advances the competition will get better & the fundamentals will be more important.

The best thing for your daughter is to get pitching time (if she plans to pitch in he future) & fundamentals. No one will ask what her team's record was when she was 10 years old so wins and loses don't matter. As an outsider this isn't even a question in my mind.
 
May 1, 2018
659
63
Play with her age group. The hitters she faces won't be younger or more experienced than her. Remember she as a pitcher is facing the hitter, not her teammates. If she gives up 0 runs then more that likely your team is gonna win. At this age pitchers can carry teams.
 
Oct 21, 2016
189
28
My only advice is not to trick yourself into believing it will be different next year if you stay with the same team. Based on the info you provided, your DD will not get more circle time or better coaching if she stays put. The HC is not going to wake up tomorrow and realize his daughter shouldn't get 85% of the innings, and surely isn't going to all of sudden become a better teacher of fundamentals. Atleast with the college grad coach you have the possibility of everything getting better, and your DD becoming the best player she can be. It doesn't sound like you are on that path right now. Sure, there's a possibility everything is worse with a new team and coaches, but as a P your DD will always have other options if needed. The possibility of your DD's situation improving by staying down with the new team/coach would be enough for me as opposed to staying in a situation that isn't ideal and you know won't approve.
 
Jul 14, 2018
982
93
We just faced a similar situation, and we decided to go with the lesser team where DD would get the most circle time. As a number of other people pointed out, wins and losses don't matter so much at this level, what's important for your DD is that she gets to face as many batters as she can. Sloppy play behind you lets a runner get on base? Good. You get to face another batter, and that's why you're there.

Also, moving to 40 feet with a 12-inch ball is a big transition. If your DD can pitch another year from 35 feet with an 11-inch ball, take advantage of it. It'll build the strength and confidence she needs when she does make the jump to 12U.
 

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