Pitch Calling Basics for 12 Year Old

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Aug 19, 2016
42
6
Hey everybody, I have a 12YO daughter on a 12u (C) TB team. The coaches dont call pitches yet...I was wondering if some of you would please offer some suggestions on pitch calling/location. She has excellent command of her FB and good command of a CU. For instance, the lead off hitter is up in the first inning...does she simply start her with a FB on a corner and then on the next pitch simply have her throw to a different corner? When/how often would she mix in her CU? I'm simply looking for very basic things that we can work on in practice that will transfer over to game situations. Thanks
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
12U, and the coaches aren't calling pitches?? If she has any kind of control, and more than one pitch, someone needs to making those decisions.

If your DD is the pitcher, and she's the one deciding what pitch to throw, she needs to work out a way to signal to the catcher on what's coming.

My DD is a catcher on a 12U TB team. Not only do we call pitch type and location on every pitch, but we make defensive adjustments based on the pitch call.
 
Last edited:
Jul 29, 2013
6,782
113
North Carolina
12U and the coaches don't call pitches yet?? It's up to the coaches to be watching girls warm up in the on deck circle, read their practice swing and flaws, know what they did their previous AB and call accordingly. And like Eric said, be able to set the defense to the pitch being called. So the coaches, the catcher, and the defense have no idea what's getting ready to be thrown? Makes NO sense! A young pitcher has enough on her plate without having to think of anything else but the pitch she's throwing, that's the coaches job!

You mentioned her FB & CU, you need to start working on a drop ball, If a 12 year old has command of those 3 pitches she can be very successful in 12U, with a proper coach helping her!
 
Last edited:
Aug 19, 2016
42
6
12U and the coaches don't call pitches yet?? It's up to the coaches to be watching girls warm up in the on deck circle, read their practice swing and flaws, know what they did their previous AB and call accordingly. And like Eric said, be able to set the defense to the pitch being called. So the coaches, the catcher, and the defense have no idea what's getting ready to be thrown? Makes NO sense! A young pitcher has enough on her plate without having to think of anything else but the pitch she's throwing, that's the coaches job!

You mentioned her FB & CU, you need to start working on a drop ball, If a 12 year old has command of those 3 pitches she can be very successful in 12U, with a proper coach to helping her!

Correct...no pitch calling...it does sound crazy after all the good points you make. The catcher just sets up right down the middle on every pitch. I greatly appreciate the input.
 
Dec 5, 2012
4,143
63
Mid West
I coach 12U TB and a Jr High School program as well. I call every pitch... 3-S System, spot, spin, speed
Look for things in the batter while they're on deck so that you've got a basic plan as to your attack.
1. Do they cast out or over rotate?.....(call in or out)
2. Are they out front on her front leg or squishing bugs? (low and out or high and in)
3. Is she really aggressive and powerful or a softer contact hitter? (change ups when too aggressive)
4. Where is her feet positioned in the box? (high or low pitches)

Develop a basic system that the pitchers, catchers, and coaches all know... most people will call a fastball a #1 and a change up a #2.... I'd suggest mixing that up to a 3 or 5 for a FB and a 1 or 4 for a change up. (at least until she develops more pitches.) Then have a second or third number that represents the location like high, low, in, or out. (I'll use a three number system. 1st number is spin, 2nd number is in or out, and the 3rd is high or low. This way coaches who are picking signs will be a bit more confused at first. If your signs are getting picked, have a back up plan with symbols like hang loose or just a pinky for example... and of course NEVER throw anything over the white with an 0-2 count!!!!

Once you've established these basic answers, you can make a plan
 
Last edited:
Jul 29, 2013
6,782
113
North Carolina
^^^Great post James! The old saying, a great catcher can make a good pitcher great.....OP, your coach has got to get your catcher involved, and more than just catching a ball thrown to her! She's the quarterback, she can see the whole field and what's going on, she has to know what pitch is being called. And yeah, the pitcher and coach can see what the umpire is is doing but nowhere as good as the catcher, she can figure out pretty quickly what he likes and don't like!

Sorry, but it sounds like this head coach is missing out on the game being played right in front of him!
 
May 17, 2012
2,804
113
The problem with the above charts is that you are assuming that every pitcher has 5 pitches and can hit all of the zones...it's just not realistic. The problem with the eye-ball test on the batter is that you are implying that pitch calling is a skill (and better than random chance).

I would suggest that you pitch to your pitchers strengths and keep things simple. Understand what counts you need to throw strikes (2-1 you get the most bang for your buck) and when you need to miss (throw balls). Don't give up hits on 0-2 and 1-2 counts. Do those things and you will be successful more times than not.

Unless you are playing the same teams repeatedly, finding weaknesses in the batters (guessing essentially) isn't efficient.
 

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