What are your thoughts on a coach "protecting" a pitcher?
My DD (2nd year 14U) was asked to join a competitive team. They have now played in two tournaments as a team since High School season ended. She is the #1 pitcher, but there is a close #2. Besides pitching my DD has always also played 1st and outfield. She is also a very good power hitter.
During the first tournament she sat most of the pool play games and came in to pitch against the "tough" teams during bracket play. She did well pitching, but did little else the entire tournament. She batted in pool play since they let you bat the full lineup (again did well), got substituted with a different runner most of the time, and played no other positions.
During the second tournament it was a similar story. When she discussed it with the coach he told her that he was "protecting" her. He said that he didn't want her batting since she could get HBP. He didn't want her running bases since she could get hurt sliding (she is aggressive). He didn't want her in the outfield because she might hurt herself diving for a ball (again, she is aggressive). He didn't want her at 1st because she might twist an ankle or hurt her hands. To me it is a little ridiculous.
She is the #1 pitcher on the team but #2 is close. There are also 3 other decent pitchers on the team. None of the other pitchers are "protected" in the same way as DD.
My concern as the parent is this... she is a good pitcher at 14U however she is probably a better batter and outfielder or 1st base. Were it not for her pitching she would definitely be starting at one of those two positions. I honestly don't know if she has the stuff to make it on a college team as a pitcher. If she keeps working hard at it she could... but I am pretty sure she could easily make a team as a hitter/outfield.
With the coach "protecting" her, she isn't going to get any reps at the other spots. On other teams in the past and HS ball, she is used to playing all the time. This is quite a change for her.
During the car ride home she told me she may not want to pitch next year in order to get to "play." She absolutely loves pitching and works hard at it, but loves playing the rest of the game just as much.
Is she coming to the point where she is going to have to make the decision between "Pitching" and "Playing?" If so, anyone have any words of wisdom on how to make that choice? Or do you think that it is just this coach being over protective?
Any thoughts appreciated.
btw.. she is NOT a "fragile flower." She is 5'10", very athletic, very strong, never been injured. Again, she is aggressive and goes hard for the ball... but that is a good thing.
My DD (2nd year 14U) was asked to join a competitive team. They have now played in two tournaments as a team since High School season ended. She is the #1 pitcher, but there is a close #2. Besides pitching my DD has always also played 1st and outfield. She is also a very good power hitter.
During the first tournament she sat most of the pool play games and came in to pitch against the "tough" teams during bracket play. She did well pitching, but did little else the entire tournament. She batted in pool play since they let you bat the full lineup (again did well), got substituted with a different runner most of the time, and played no other positions.
During the second tournament it was a similar story. When she discussed it with the coach he told her that he was "protecting" her. He said that he didn't want her batting since she could get HBP. He didn't want her running bases since she could get hurt sliding (she is aggressive). He didn't want her in the outfield because she might hurt herself diving for a ball (again, she is aggressive). He didn't want her at 1st because she might twist an ankle or hurt her hands. To me it is a little ridiculous.
She is the #1 pitcher on the team but #2 is close. There are also 3 other decent pitchers on the team. None of the other pitchers are "protected" in the same way as DD.
My concern as the parent is this... she is a good pitcher at 14U however she is probably a better batter and outfielder or 1st base. Were it not for her pitching she would definitely be starting at one of those two positions. I honestly don't know if she has the stuff to make it on a college team as a pitcher. If she keeps working hard at it she could... but I am pretty sure she could easily make a team as a hitter/outfield.
With the coach "protecting" her, she isn't going to get any reps at the other spots. On other teams in the past and HS ball, she is used to playing all the time. This is quite a change for her.
During the car ride home she told me she may not want to pitch next year in order to get to "play." She absolutely loves pitching and works hard at it, but loves playing the rest of the game just as much.
Is she coming to the point where she is going to have to make the decision between "Pitching" and "Playing?" If so, anyone have any words of wisdom on how to make that choice? Or do you think that it is just this coach being over protective?
Any thoughts appreciated.
btw.. she is NOT a "fragile flower." She is 5'10", very athletic, very strong, never been injured. Again, she is aggressive and goes hard for the ball... but that is a good thing.