This question is less about "should pitchers be throwing curve balls before they shave" as I know there are different opinions on that (research based and otherwise).
Over this past weekend I saw a manager from a AA team, who was calling the pitches, call for about 50-60% "curveballs" during one inning that is saw (sitting behind the backstop so I could see both the spin of the ball and the manager giving signs). To be clear, these were just spinners and had no real curve other than being thrown so slowly that gravity did its thing (and the pitches didn't reach the plate 90% of the time) but they got a lot of swings and misses and, therefore, outs. I watched the manager giving signs for a fastball, change-up, and curveball. He gave the sign for the different pitches and the pitcher was throwing what was called. This was not the kid making the call. Talking to other teams, this happened consistently over the course of the tournament. One pitcher on that same team supposedly threw 15 "curveballs" in a row according to one parent and a player I know on a third team that played them said he saw a lot of "curveballs" in his game against them (we didn't play them, I saw one full inning).
Do you think this is appropriate? If not, is there a best way to deal with it as someone not affiliated with that team? Is it appropriate to say anything if I feel like the coach is probably ruining that kid (or his entire team if they all do it) for the future? Or should I mind my own business? |
Curve balls at 10u
Posted - 04/18/2016 : 18:00:55
