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ecbpappi
244 Posts |
 Posted - 08/09/2011 : 15:59:22
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| Speaking of the try outs this month, I hear several teams offering kids as Pitchers Only. Isn't it way too early to start categorizing players in this way? |
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in_the_know
985 Posts |
Posted - 08/09/2011 : 20:25:59
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| Absolutely ridiculous. Unless it is at the request of the family, any coach having PO at 12u has no business coaching. |
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bmoser
1633 Posts |
Posted - 08/09/2011 : 20:49:41
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| Want your kid to quit baseball, go for it! |
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Spartan4
913 Posts |
Posted - 08/09/2011 : 23:24:45
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| There are a few kids who are amazing pitchers but are HORRIBLE in the field.....Up until now those kids have been hidden in the field but I think at 12 we will see more kids who play extremely limited time in the field, but still some time...IMO Saturday is a perfect time to get those type players time in the field so they can improve in the field and then they can concentrate on pitching Sunday. Also some of the best paid coaches in the business have pitcher only kids....Guess they must have the world fooled with no business coaching?? I have talked to two people who were offered pitcher only by paid coaches who get to pick their team not have a team pick them....Both of these boys were above average fielders though so I couldn't understand why they would even consider it....Some kids only like to pitch, other kids only like to hit and it seems many teams/coaches don't have any problem making a suspect glove an extra hitter, bunches of teams have extra hitters and bat all 12 kids or more. |
Edited by - Spartan4 on 08/10/2011 08:41:11 |
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reallycoach
64 Posts |
Posted - 08/10/2011 : 09:25:51
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I know a couple of pitcher only kids and if it wasn't for the willingness of the coaches taking them, they would most likly not be playing travel ball except on aa/aaa teams. In those classifications they would be dominate pitchers but would barley be challenged.
Let's face it, there are some players that simply will not develop into defensive players but still have value to bring to a team and deserve a track to develop thier talent. |
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Spartan4
913 Posts |
Posted - 08/10/2011 : 10:14:42
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quote:
Originally posted by reallycoach
Let's face it, there are some players that simply will not develop into defensive players but still have value to bring to a team and deserve a track to develop thier talent.
Not for everybody.....But I do agree those boys can be the most valuble players on a team. |
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nbcfyoy
56 Posts |
Posted - 08/10/2011 : 10:36:38
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| Too many folks are trying to treat travel ball like rec ball. If I had a dominiate pitcher who was willing to ONLY PITCH, I would take him in a minute. At 12U, these kids are not far at all from High School where there is NO minimum play time required. If folks want to concentrate on their kid's strength, go for it. |
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BravesFan
533 Posts |
Posted - 08/10/2011 : 10:50:18
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| that is a winning at all cost mentality that is only shared by a few radical parents |
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T13
257 Posts |
Posted - 08/10/2011 : 12:15:07
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| Kids at 12 are too young to be specializing in pitching...they are still developing and need to learn to play the game (puberty still hasn't hit!)....you've got to be kidding me if anyone would let their child only pitch.... |
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SSBuckeye
575 Posts |
Posted - 08/10/2011 : 13:38:45
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| 12u is too soon to focus only on pitching. That is just my opinion. However, if a kid knows that's what he wants to be, and is 100% good with that setup, then there's certainly nothing wrong with it. I just can't imagine there are many kids like that at 12 years of age, though. |
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in_the_know
985 Posts |
Posted - 08/10/2011 : 15:25:09
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As someone who's been through the high school ball thing, these kids are a million miles away from high school. Most are just entering or even two years from puberty. Their interests, skills, size, strength will change significantly between now and then. Consider that most are 2-3 years from entering high school. Think of how much they've changed from when they were 9-10. Significant difference. When you go to the HS tryouts, compare your freshman son from a size and build perspective to the Jr's and Sr's on the team. Significant difference between the men and boys.
The point of my comments were that to pigeon hole kids at 12 is simply ridiculous unless the parents are onboard completely. Even then, I don't agree with concept. Spartan earlier posted that "...some of the best paid coaches in the business have pitcher only kids....Guess they must have the world fooled with no business coaching??"
Clearly his criteria differs greatly from mine as to what makes up the best coaches in the business. A coach that is looking to take a 12u player as a PO clearly is only interested in winning. I don't list that in my criteria. I stand by my earlier statement. The coach has no business coaching this age group. As to 14u and above, absolutely, but not before in my humble opinion.
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Originally posted by nbcfyoy
Too many folks are trying to treat travel ball like rec ball. If I had a dominiate pitcher who was willing to ONLY PITCH, I would take him in a minute. At 12U, these kids are not far at all from High School where there is NO minimum play time required. If folks want to concentrate on their kid's strength, go for it.
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Edited by - in_the_know on 08/10/2011 15:29:06 |
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Take 2
21 Posts |
Posted - 08/10/2011 : 17:03:25
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| From my experience, I would not consider a team that wants you as a PO until you are a Sophomore in High School. My son played with competitive teams since he was 9 and 2 years ago was the first time we were worried about him being a pitcher only for his high school. Young coaches, parents and old coaches said he was a pitcher only. Our high school coach asked us to join an Elite team as a PO only. Luckily, we elected to stay with an average travel team, coaches that develop kids not a recruiting coach. This team could compete with the Elite squads, many times not winning, but we played plenty of games. I am proud to say that my son went from a possible PO position as a Freshman (14U) to becoming the 4th or 5th batter and starting 1st basemen for a 5A High School Varsity Team. He is also in the pitching rotation. My advise to anyone confronted with this situation, do not get caught up in the TEAM Ranking(or the coach) when you make a decision for your son.....It's what your son NEEDS and WANTS to get to the next level. The next level might just be to get to play EVERY game during his high school seasons, not every 3 or 4 games pitching. Please do not listen to these "talented coaches" and handicap your child before he's had time in a weight room!!!! Always remember to play for the FUN of it and that's best answered by your son. |
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nbcfyoy
56 Posts |
Posted - 08/10/2011 : 20:32:44
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| @ In the Know...I agree with you. My statement clarified is that if the kid and parents are on board with it, then I wouldn't have a problem. I'm certainly not a win at all cost guy. Your perspective is appreciated. |
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Spartan4
913 Posts |
Posted - 08/11/2011 : 00:02:21
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| Just making a point that I don't think it makes a guy a bad coach if that is what a kid wants to do....While mine pitches a lot his favorite thing to do is hit and he is pretty good at it so there is ZERO chance we would take a PO spot unless it was for one weekend for a big tourney or when he is 16 and can't hit and sucks in the field....Hopefully that doesn't happen, but I would think it would be extremely difficult if my son was a AA hitter and defender but one of the best pitchers in the state or area. Can't hit his way into the lineup carrying 11-12-13 kids and plays way way below avg. defense but has a live arm?>?>? I think we have seen some kids like that, what should they do?? Mow over inferior hitting or struggle with the rest of the game?? |
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T13
257 Posts |
Posted - 08/11/2011 : 11:11:08
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| Spartan, He should play AA and work on his hitting and fielding (save his arm for when he gets older...) That way he develops the rest of his game (can throw BP on the side to get reps).... |
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sportsman
37 Posts |
Posted - 08/11/2011 : 13:03:04
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The kid should get on a team where he can play in the field and hit (period). He shouldn't be pitching more than 6 innings a weekend anyway so if he is a P.O. then he is sitting out way to much to develop as a player. If he wants to face better hitters, he can always be a pick up player as a P.O. later in the year for a top team.
Parents at the younger ages are so worried about their son playing on the best team, when they should be worried about playing time and if he is going to play the position that he projects at. If the team you really want him to play on already has two great catchers and your kid wants to catch, find another team, same applies to any position. Do what is best for your kid, not what is best for your ego. |
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funnyhop
74 Posts |
Posted - 08/12/2011 : 21:15:14
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Pitcher Only at 12U? Insane. Let the kids play baseball and learn the entire game. Half these kids won't even be around the game when high school rolls around. Why not let them experience the nuances of playing every position they can?
PO at 12U? Run and run away very very fast. |
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