- Nov 18, 2013
- 2,258
- 113
Did you miss the part about this being a C team? That would be an awful lot to expect of coaches and players at that level.
Pitch Calling Basics for 12 Year Old
- Thread starter briang
- Start date
Welcome to Discuss Fastpitch
Your FREE Account is waiting to the Best Softball Community on the Web.
Did you miss the part about this being a C team? That would be an awful lot to expect of coaches and players at that level.
I'm not buying it. If the pitcher has more than one pitch, someone needs to be making that call. For us, it started in 8U rec all-stars.
- Nov 18, 2013
- 2,258
- 113
It's time to start learning pitch calling, but no reason to be outraged. I don't see 12U C teams adjust defenses according to the pitches called or catchers quarterbacking the infield. If they could do all that they wouldn't be on C teams.
Nope, didn't miss it and honestly don't care if it's a 12U D,E,or F team! These girls are only going to learn the game and go as far as this coach takes them! I remember 12U very well, it was the age were my girls had to grow up and have a serious understanding of this game. Plus Top Gun was huge in my area and there was tons of much better teams playing down and trophy hunting. Those games with those "jerk" coaches can be either very humiliating or very rewarding depending on how well coached or prepared the girls are. 12U "C" means nothing to me, if the coach took the challenge to teach.......real coaches coach!
No ones outraged, just a little shocked. If I was the opposing coach and never saw the other coach call a pitch and the catcher just sit up in the middle.......batting practice for at least 3 innings!
This is exactly what i was looking for!!! Thanks Coach James...I greatly appreciate you're help.
Regardless of the class your girls are currently playing (A, B, or C) is irrelevant!!!! Coaching at any level is about finding that balance between current skill sets and the potential to improve at every opportunity. There's and old saying in the working world that says "dress for the job you want, not the job you have"... This can apply here. Coach em up!!!
There is no reason a C team can't play a B team or a B team playing an A... In order to do this you 1st need to have a team identity. Are you strong hitters? Unhittable pitching? Greyhounds on the base paths? What are your primary strengths? And how can you improve on those strengths while strengthening the other aspects simultaneously? Once you know who you are and know your teams goals, then you'll have to make a plan as to where you're headed. Set measureable goals with each and every girl. Show her what she needs to do to improve (whatever?) Then periodically test her in practice or simply show game stats to see any measureable gains or not.
To the OP, I'm guessing you're a newer coach and I give tons of credit and praise for your confidence to reach out for help. More coaches could do this. Continue to learn and study all aspects of the game, and don't forget to keep this a fun experience for the girls. Often times it can become a militant, super serious, way too focused task for the players when the team focus shifts into nothing but winning. Yes, we all want to win. However, remember to remember your teams goals. Did we get better in this win or loss? Did we make good adjustments? Did we control our attitudes, effort, heart, and hustle? Did we take charge of the strike zone, or did we let the ump decide our fate? Did we come to compete or just participate? All these questions need to be constantly reiterated to the coaching staff and players at every practice and game, as well as in the post game.
Good Luck, Coach James
There is no reason a C team can't play a B team or a B team playing an A... In order to do this you 1st need to have a team identity. Are you strong hitters? Unhittable pitching? Greyhounds on the base paths? What are your primary strengths? And how can you improve on those strengths while strengthening the other aspects simultaneously? Once you know who you are and know your teams goals, then you'll have to make a plan as to where you're headed. Set measureable goals with each and every girl. Show her what she needs to do to improve (whatever?) Then periodically test her in practice or simply show game stats to see any measureable gains or not.
To the OP, I'm guessing you're a newer coach and I give tons of credit and praise for your confidence to reach out for help. More coaches could do this. Continue to learn and study all aspects of the game, and don't forget to keep this a fun experience for the girls. Often times it can become a militant, super serious, way too focused task for the players when the team focus shifts into nothing but winning. Yes, we all want to win. However, remember to remember your teams goals. Did we get better in this win or loss? Did we make good adjustments? Did we control our attitudes, effort, heart, and hustle? Did we take charge of the strike zone, or did we let the ump decide our fate? Did we come to compete or just participate? All these questions need to be constantly reiterated to the coaching staff and players at every practice and game, as well as in the post game.
Good Luck, Coach James
^^^^Awesome post coach james, wish it would let me click the Thanks option more than once!
- Nov 18, 2013
- 2,258
- 113
You and annasdad both make excellent points. I agree with coaching em up and challenging them. Maybe it’s a regional thing, but our days on a 12U C team was half girls who’d never picked up a softball. Talent wise it was by far the worst team she’d ever been on. The coach didn’t call pitches or even know much about pitching. He was simply the Dad willing to coach when they couldn’t find anybody else. Turned out he was perfect for the job. He kept it fun and made them want to get better. He definitely found the balance you mentioned of current skill sets and potential to improve. These girls were so inexperienced if he’d have gotten too technical he would have lost their attention. Instead he helped instill a love for softball and many of them kept with it into HS and a couple even made it to college. I just think sometimes you can overcoach.
