Example of 12U coach pitch calling--please, don't be this guy.

[OsDad]

It’s not really an all or nothing proposition.

What I’m saying is when the count is 0-2, do we really need to throw three “waste pitches” fourteen inches off the plate that no one will swing at?

That is one of my frustrations with pitch calling. A lot of girls at 12u and under (I have no experience with older ages) don't like to swing the bat as it is. They are waiting until the last minute to decide (my kid is a prime example), and those "waste pitches" are never ever getting a swing. Coaches should be taking advantage of the fact that they want to wait to swing, not playing into it.

 

[_MIA_]

That is one of my frustrations with pitch calling. A lot of girls at 12u and under (I have no experience with older ages) don't like to swing the bat as it is. They are waiting until the last minute to decide (my kid is a prime example), and those "waste pitches" are never ever getting a swing. Coaches should be taking advantage of the fact that they want to wait to swing, not playing into it.

On 0-2 I can see trying to throw it a few inches off the plate in particular if the hitter looks like they know what they are doing. I think the problem is for many 12U pitchers a few inches off the plate ends up being 2 feet off the plate

 

[Westwind]

It’s almost like.... “0-2, well since I have a few minutes here I might as well check DFP”....

 

[Bandit CJ]

It depends on your pitchers abilities if calling pitches is a good idea. But in general we don't have our pitchers go out and just throw strikes. At 12U most pitchers have a fast ball and a change and maybe one other pitch they are working on. They need experience working on hitting spots and varying speeds and being a pitcher and not just a thrower. We usually call pitches so the pitcher can focus on just throwing the pitch and not what pitch to throw. They are also leaning some strategy on when to throw different pitches.
It's easy to coach from behind the backstop or outside of left field fence. I've been guilty of that myself. The coach is doing what he thinks is best.

 

[AnotherSoftballDad]

My kid's 12U coach calls pitches for her and I think it really helps. He adjusts pitches based on how she is pitching. Some days she just doesn't have it. Some days she can hit her spots on every fastball.

Off speed pitches don't have locations.

Seems like most all coaches I've seen do this.

I'm surprised at the hate.

We also have pitchers/catchers practice with live batting once a week where we talk at length about why the coach is calling a particular pitch. When we are ahead or playing a lesser team the catcher calls pitches. Then after the game the coach will have a chat about her pitch calling. Seem like a great way to learn.

Pitchers can always nod off pitches and change the call.

 

[FP26]

It depends on your pitchers abilities if calling pitches is a good idea. But in general we don't have our pitchers go out and just throw strikes. At 12U most pitchers have a fast ball and a change and maybe one other pitch they are working on. They need experience working on hitting spots and varying speeds and being a pitcher and not just a thrower. We usually call pitches so the pitcher can focus on just throwing the pitch and not what pitch to throw. They are also leaning some strategy on when to throw different pitches.
It's easy to coach from behind the backstop or outside of left field fence. I've been guilty of that myself. The coach is doing what he thinks is best.

Important thing to remember. If the result of the pitch is an out, the pitcher did a great job. If the result is a hit, the coach is an idiot

 

[_MIA_]

It's easy to coach from behind the backstop or outside of left field fence.

I don't know man, yelling out Blue 38 5 8 Infinity Pi for a fastball down the middle of the plate from behind the LF fence isn't as
easy at it looks.

The coach is doing what he thinks is best.

Who said otherwise? This is a discussion board, on discussion boards you discuss.

 

[The Man In Blue]

It is directly tied to the criticism of the pitch calling. 10u with armbands to call pitches so the pitcher can throw balls. It's hilarious.

At 10u, the armbands should just have notes in them:

We love you honey!
Keep trying your best!
Ice cream after the game!

 

[_MIA_]

At 10u, the armbands should just have notes in them:

We love you honey!
Keep trying your best!
Ice cream after the game!

Your room still isn't clean..(that would probably be valid through 18U I guess..)

 

[The Man In Blue]

It's easy to coach from behind the backstop or outside of left field fence. I've been guilty of that myself. The coach is doing what he thinks is best.

Those are the best views for knowing what is or isn’t a strike ...