It is not obvious yet, and she keeps on asking. Her 14u team just formed. They had a few scrimmages, and played their first tournament this weekend. She started the first game of pool play yesterday, the girl she is in competition with started the second, a clearly weaker pitcher started the third. She started the first game of bracket play this morning. They were one and done today, no big surprise, almost half the team is still 12 y/o.
How to tell who is #1 and who is #2
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It is not obvious yet, and she keeps on asking. Her 14u team just formed. They had a few scrimmages, and played their first tournament this weekend. She started the first game of pool play yesterday, the girl she is in competition with started the second, a clearly weaker pitcher started the third. She started the first game of bracket play this morning. They were one and done today, no big surprise, almost half the team is still 12 y/o.
- Nov 29, 2009
- 2,975
- 83
Erect a pole barn for the team to practice in.
You do know that will not have any effect on pitching innings. That is ONLY for a favorite number.
If you could convince my daughter who wants to be the best at everything, that would be great.
Both DD and her teammate had the same PC over the summer. The coach said my daughter is clearly faster than the other girl, but the other girl has more precision to her pitches. My DD had a very good strikeout-to-walk ratio over the summer, so it wasn't that she lacked control, just not as accurate as the other girl.
She is still brand new to pitching, so I keep on reminding her to improve her accuracy, then there will be no doubt.
- Feb 7, 2013
- 3,188
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I think she has the wrong goal. A better goal is, for example, "by next spring I want to increase my speed by 3 mph", "in 6 months I want to be able to hit all four corners 80% of the time", "I want to increase my leap and drag by 6 inches in the next twelve months". The point is if she works on her individual goals, she won't have to worry about being #1, 2 or 3, it will come naturally as she out works her competition.
^^^^^^This right here. She shouldn't be comparing herself to others on her team. She should be actively working to make herself the best she can be. The rest will take care of itself. Most of the time anyway. Whether you are designated #1 is beyond your control.
You may be the best pitcher on the team, but the coach may not see it that way. Or you may be the team's best chance to win games in reality, but the coach is measuring based on factors such as first pitch strikes or overall accuracy and you're not leading in those stats. So you don't get the biggest games. That's why it's best to measure whether you're getting better than you were rather than if you're better than someone else.
Being #1 on your team is a very small goal, by the way. What you really want to do, if you want to compare, is compare yourself to the best pitchers you've seen or played against. Can you stand side-by-side with them? If so, you'll find your way to a #1 spot, either with that team or someone else.
You are right. I wonder if she will even listen to me if I say something like that the next time she brings up the question of what is her rank on the team. Maybe I should have her PC impress this idea upon her, and not think about being #1 or #2.
A lot of colleges and hence TB teams have gone to more of a pitching staff approach vs. riding one pitcher. Therefore there could be more of a 1A and 1B vs. 1 and 2. If it really bothers you I would pay attention to which pitcher starts against the tougher opponents and which pitcher starts the championship game on Sunday. This is usually your #1.
