I think this is the first time I have ventured off the "Pitching" thread ever. lol Not sure I'll see replies unless someone quotes me or tags me.
First, I was amazed when I joined the college ranks (mid-major D1 school) last year how little the pitchers/catchers knew about pitch calling and selection. It's absolutely pathetic that 12U kids have to have pitches called for them instead of learning the art and craft themselves. We are turning kids into robots who have no idea what to look for, what to do, except look at the coach or those ridiculous wrist bands. You teach them in practices and let them try to execute in games, pure and simple. ABSOLUTELY discuss pitching, sequencing, hitters, etc. between innings but my goodness lets teach the game to the kids!!! PREACH at practices to keep the ball low (dropballs) when you have a 1 run lead after in the 6 and 7th inning so that a fly ball doesn't tie the game!! And they have to learn the consequences of the late inning HR on a riseball that ties or loses the game because they didn't follow the percentages strategy of keeping the ball low.
I was amazed at how D1 college kids didn't understand, what I thought were fundamentals of pitching.
When I called pitches, I tried to channel myself into the pitcher. "What would I throw in this situation?" Then would pray we'd execute. Not to brag but the team went from 13 wins the year before to 30, lowest ERA in conference, my pitcher won the conference Player/Year award, and having been predicted 8-8 in conference: we ended 3rd narrowly missing 2nd place. This was achieved by simply playing percentages: drop balls late in games, jamming slappers to make them pull the ball, no fly balls with runner's on 3rd, multiple change ups in a row, etc.
Bill