I'm in a unique situation since we're not in a conference and I do all our scheduling. Also, the level of softball is terrible. We played a few teams with no pitchers.
Last year we really only had one pitcher (with one other girl who could do it in a pinch). I never scheduled games more than two days in a row. We didn't play any double headers. My #1 did miss a couple games with a concussion, but other than that I think she pitched every inning. I did spend practice time working with a few other girls. One has a ton of potential, the other can be used if I just need someone to get us through a couple innings. The third will probably pitch our JV games this year. I'm not sure she'll ever be very good (she's not a hard worker), but if she can get some experience I can at least feel comfortable putting her in to close out a game if we're up or down big. The one who pitched in a pinch last year isn't going to pitch anymore because of some shoulder trouble.
So I went from one pitcher to one pitcher plus three more who I'll use against lesser teams in just one season. And that's if I don't get any new players this year who can do it.
Long post just to say: If you're going to play a lot of games or a lot of games in a row, it's your job as a coach to develop more pitchers. I know we play at a lower level so a girl who can throw 40 mph strikes qualifies as a decent pitcher and that's not the case for many here (side note: our 40-45 mph #1 pitcher does pretty well the first time through the order against good teams because it takes those hitters time to adjust to such slow pitching). Still, why not spend half an hour at a practice showing them all how to throw underhand to see if any of your girls take to it quickly? Those who do, have them work on pitching. You may not develop a superstar, but you might find a decent #2 or #3 who can save your #1 for the games that matter most.
Last year we really only had one pitcher (with one other girl who could do it in a pinch). I never scheduled games more than two days in a row. We didn't play any double headers. My #1 did miss a couple games with a concussion, but other than that I think she pitched every inning. I did spend practice time working with a few other girls. One has a ton of potential, the other can be used if I just need someone to get us through a couple innings. The third will probably pitch our JV games this year. I'm not sure she'll ever be very good (she's not a hard worker), but if she can get some experience I can at least feel comfortable putting her in to close out a game if we're up or down big. The one who pitched in a pinch last year isn't going to pitch anymore because of some shoulder trouble.
So I went from one pitcher to one pitcher plus three more who I'll use against lesser teams in just one season. And that's if I don't get any new players this year who can do it.
Long post just to say: If you're going to play a lot of games or a lot of games in a row, it's your job as a coach to develop more pitchers. I know we play at a lower level so a girl who can throw 40 mph strikes qualifies as a decent pitcher and that's not the case for many here (side note: our 40-45 mph #1 pitcher does pretty well the first time through the order against good teams because it takes those hitters time to adjust to such slow pitching). Still, why not spend half an hour at a practice showing them all how to throw underhand to see if any of your girls take to it quickly? Those who do, have them work on pitching. You may not develop a superstar, but you might find a decent #2 or #3 who can save your #1 for the games that matter most.
