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baldy87
118 Posts |
 Posted - 01/21/2011 : 09:58:23
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| So, we're new to kid pitch (at 9U) and we're trying to teach the kids the game. One of the things I've seen most teams do is call practically every pitch from the "bucket" coach to the catcher to the pitcher. I remember one of my favorite parts of playing little league was learning the game and calling pitches ourselves between the pitcher and catcher. We were doing this when we were 11 and 12 years old. At the 9U level, there's only fastball and change-up anyway (we wouldn't dare teach a curve yet). Shouldn't it be easy enough to tell your catcher, "You call the game. I want to see fastballs in every situation except when the pitcher is ahead in the count" and let the kids have fun and learn from there? What are the thoughts behind having a grown-up call every pitch? There can't be that much to it, can there? Or am I totally missing something? |
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silvercityjon
56 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2011 : 12:08:04
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| baldy....I agree, we did it last year at 9u and plan on doing it again this year. Not only does it teach the little guys the game but it also keeps the other coaches from picking off your signs especially throw downs.....just my opinion |
Edited by - silvercityjon on 01/21/2011 12:38:21 |
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SSBuckeye
575 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2011 : 13:48:41
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| I think the kids learn just as much by observing what the coach calls in certain situations than he would if he winged it on his own. Calling pitches from the dugout is MORE instructional in my view, plus pitchers will have more success. At some point I would agree that the kids take over, but at 11u they are still in a learning phase. |
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SSBuckeye
575 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2011 : 13:50:54
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| And since I answered from an 11u perspective, obviously I think it's even more important at 9u. Sorry, forgot what forum I was on for a moment! |
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baldy87
118 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2011 : 15:09:00
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| Sometimes what I see happen is - they just get into this robotic like trance that tells them, "I call what the coach calls" and they don't even pay attention to what the count is - what the situation is (Is there a key runner on third, and I'm calling for a change-up low and away that could end up in the dirt, pass me and score a run?). Learning from observing is definitely a valid method, but I sometimes wonder if learning from your own experience/mistakes is even more effective. |
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oldschooldad
203 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2011 : 18:08:47
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Baldy,
Does your third base coach give signals to the batter? Of course! Same thing for the coach giving signals to the catcher.The days of players calling plays or pitches is over. Don't major college QB's get the play called from the sidelines? Same is true of QBs in the NFL. If you watch a televised baseball game, the catcher is always looking in to the dugout to get the pitch selection. The pitching coach or manager will call the pitch and any call play such as a pitch out. Just a sign of the times! |
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misfit33
77 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2011 : 22:18:11
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| I call all my pitchers pitches. I think practice is where you teach them counts and locations when calling pitches but in a game I want to give my team the best chance to win and give my pitcher the best opportunity to win and be confident on the hill. A coach can see holes in swings and you call your pitcher to pitch to the batters weakness'. I have a 12U that pitches and we work on the catcher calling the pitches some but for the most part we still caLL the pitches. |
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Phattso
143 Posts |
Posted - 01/24/2011 : 09:14:28
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quote:
Originally posted by misfit33
I call all my pitchers pitches. I think practice is where you teach them counts and locations when calling pitches but in a game I want to give my team the best chance to win and give my pitcher the best opportunity to win and be confident on the hill. A coach can see holes in swings and you call your pitcher to pitch to the batters weakness'. I have a 12U that pitches and we work on the catcher calling the pitches some but for the most part we still caLL the pitches.
Bingo!!!! I cometely agree... |
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baldy87
118 Posts |
Posted - 01/24/2011 : 12:33:46
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| Uncle!!! Uncle!!! I see I'm out-numbered. :) I understand that, at some point, you want to put your team in the best position to be successful. I'm probably still suffering from rec-ball mentality, am underestimating the 9U level's ability to change speeds and locate, and really want the kids to have fun. I just remember fondly being able to call pitches for the first time when I was maybe 10 or 11, with little input from the coach. That was one of the things that made you feel like a big-leaguer. Of course, as was mentioned on a previous topic, that was back in the days when any rusty backstop counted as a field, and the coach showed up with a green duffel bag full of "team equipment" and smelled like stale beer. :) Little league baseball has come a ways since then. |
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DecaturDad
619 Posts |
Posted - 01/24/2011 : 14:00:16
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quote:
Originally posted by baldy87
Of course, as was mentioned on a previous topic, that was back in the days when any rusty backstop counted as a field, and the coach showed up with a green duffel bag full of "team equipment" and smelled like stale beer. :) Little league baseball has come a ways since then.
Now we don't drink stale beer. Only the best for our coaches :-) |
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mrbama31
252 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2011 : 17:46:09
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| I say let the 9yr olds call the game....We won't be rolling that way..but I hope everyone else is. |
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9U Coach
30 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2011 : 20:16:06
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| Right there with ya Mr. Bama. You guys let your catchers call the game. |
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